Job Title:                    Pest Management Specialist - Entomologist

Classification Title:    Resource Educator

Location:                    Suffolk County, Riverhead, NY

 

Primary Role and Accountability

Responsible for providing support for program delivery and education in the extension educational programs in arthropod pest management for commercial agriculture in Suffolk County, Long Island. Will serve as an educational resource specialist to support and provide in-depth subject matter content for program evaluation, grants/contracts, marketing, program supervision and development, and specifically to coordinate and conduct program applied research effort in vegetables, other food crops and special projects in cooperation with the position supervisor. Target audiences include Cooperative Extension staff specialists, commercial growers, horticultural service businesses, community decision makers, and other professional staff conducting applied research on insect pest management.

 

Responsibilities and Essential Functions

 

Issue Area Leadership Program Development and Priority Setting (5%)

Identify arthropod pest management program needs with the Supervisor, program advisory committees, program participants, Cornell Cooperative Extension staff and Cornell faculty.

 

Program Management and Coordination (5%)

Develop educational and applied research strategies with Supervisor, maintaining direct linkage with Cornell and other extension staff dealing with arthropod pest management. Develop and enhance relationships with appropriate agencies, organizations, industry, and community leaders in the area of insect pest management.

 

Subject Matter Resource and Program Delivery (50%)

This position will serve as subject matter resource to program committees, Cornell Cooperative Extension staff, and clientele, including agencies and other groups on a local, regional, statewide and regional basis particularly in pest management of vegetable and other food crops. Responsibilities include educational programs at meetings, seminars and committees with individual counseling on relevant aspects of insect and mite pest management. Develop networks of professionals to acquire and extend relevant program information for the benefit of appropriate clientele. As a team member, serve as a resource to other Cornell staff in cooperative projects and programs. Provide counsel and support to other extension staff to foster organizational confidence and competence in program processes.

 

Research and Program Evaluation (25%)

Conduct applied research and demonstrations at the Long Island Horticultural Research and Extension Center and on commercial sites as appropriate following prescribed Cornell policies.  Emphasis is on new and innovative approaches to pest management in food crops and other project areas with special attention to environmental and health issues.

 

Administrative Management (Finance, Budget) (10%)

Develop and work with the Cooperative Extension agricultural staff, industry representatives, community leaders and decision makers to identify priorities and resources needed in the program and develop methods of information delivery. Monitor expenses and seek funding through grants, contracts and other sources to independently support program after a three-year period. This position is initially supported through existing Entomology Program non-County funds that will amortize over a three-year period.

 

Professional Improvement and other duties as assigned  (5%)

Ensure program outreach to diverse audiences, ensuring all searches reach out and include a diverse pool. Appreciate and embrace diversity in all interactions with clientele, staff, volunteers and the public.

 

Contacts (level of interaction and outcomes)

Attend and actively participate in Agricultural Program Advisory Committee meetings and other local stakeholder meetings. Coordinate programs with Supervisor and all stakeholders in the commercial vegetable and food crops industries and staffs at the Long Island Horticultural Research and Extension Center and Cornell University to ascertain changes and needs relevant to Association mission. Actively represent the Association on statewide Program Work Teams to ensure connections and coordination to efficiently address local and regional efforts and priorities. Represent the Association to funding agencies and grant sources to negotiate and develop new sources of revenue and opportunities to meet program priorities and clientele needs. Interact directly with and seek the resource expertise of faculty and other subject matter experts to address identified needs and complex issues.

 

Reporting Relationships and Type of Supervision Received/Given

This position is directly supervised by and administratively accountable to the Supervisor (Sr. Extension Educator – Entomologist), deferring and seeking input in non-routine or complex subject matter situations as a developmental process. As a subject matter expert, with the Supervisor identify clientele and select appropriate subject matter relative to analyzed needs, alerting supervisor of issues and concerns as well as actual or potential areas of risk or conflict.

Responsible for coaching, goal setting and providing subject matter, and administrative support to non-exempt educators, effectively recommending hiring and addressing directly all individual performance development issues.

 

 

Qualifications:

Degree and Experience Pre-requisites

Masters Degree in Entomology required. Emphasis on IPM or pest management in food crops preferred.  Experience working with other researchers, educators and other extension staff in developing and delivering educational programs is desirable.

 

Necessary:

Excellent oral and written communication skills and ability to handle multiple priorities. Ability to work independently; and prioritize tasks with a minimum of supervision. Ability to meet travel demands of the position and to work other than normal work hours (early morning or evening) as required. Ability to use computers in communications, data access, analysis and information analysis is essential. Commercial NY State pesticide applicator license will be required.

 

APPLICATIONS will be reviewed beginning 4/21/08, or until an acceptable pool of applicants has been identified.

 

Send letter of intent, resume, and transcripts to PA#463, Box 26, Kennedy Hall, Cornell U, Ithaca, NY 14853.

 

 

**Individuals who bring a diverse perspective and are supportive of diversity are strongly encouraged to apply.

 

Cornell Cooperative Extension provides equal program and employment opportunities.

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION:  http://www.cce.cornell.edu