CORNELL COOPERATIVE EXTENSION

SULLIVAN COUNTY

POSITION DESCRIPTION

 

                                                                             

Working Title:               Agricultural and Natural Resources Team Coordinator

 

Office Location:            Liberty, NY                             

 

Date Available:             Immediately

 

 

General Resposibilities:

            Provide in-depth administrative and organizational leadership for the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the Agricultural and Natural Resource Program both adult and youth for Sullivan County.  Will conduct programs in areas of agricultural expertise; participate as an active member of the Association program management team in developing integrated overall Association educational efforts.  Responsible for effective management of resources available to the Agricultural and Natural Resources program and for assuring that accountability and affirmative action requirements are met.  Represent the Association before the public, community leaders, agricultural organizations, governmental officials and Cornell University in conjunction with program and leadership responsibilities.

 

Program Unit Leadership & Management                                                   50% 

 

            Program Development/Leadership

            •           Provide leadership for quality agriculture and natural resources programs that improve the sustainability and well being of farmer’s agribusiness, landowners and agricultural youth in Sullivan County communities that are based on a program development process that includes representation of diverse agricultural groups and the ongoing involvement of clientele.

 

            •           Provide leadership to support a system of ongoing involvement of citizens in the program development process.  Recruit, train and maintain a volunteer development system to enable them to better serve the community.

 

            •           Coordinate and manage short and long range strategic program planning, implementation and evaluation of program related activities of assigned staff and plan-of-work.

 

            •           Promote team efforts with other program area(s) and participate in multidisciplinary, multi-association, regional and statewide program development to address priority issues.

 

            •           Interpret Cornell program direction to Association committee-members and provide for interaction with Cornell faculty and administration.

 

            •           Determine educational responses to be delivered and coordinate with program committees, Executive Director, other associations and Sullivan County program team, utilizing the implementation plan.

 

            •           Ensure contact conforms to policies and objectives of the Association, Cornell University and the Cornell Cooperative Extension system.

 

            •           Promote acceptance of quality programs, delivery strategies, fund development strategies and public policies to address individual and community needs that consider diverse audiences.

 

            •           Organize, coordinate and direct the work of educators, program assistants, clerical staff and volunteers in implementing educational events related to program priorities.

 

            •           Develop effective contemporary marketing, fundraising, volunteer development and grant writing efforts.

           

            •           Provide leadership in effecting change for producers, growers, agribusiness and youth involved in agricultural and natural resources.

           

            Finance and Personnel

                       

            •           Under general direction from program committee and Executive Director, assist in the business and management of the Association relating to program, including assisting in compiling annual budget data and managing the program’s portion of the Association budget.

 

            •           Address personnel and administrative problems and resolve conflicts that arise in the operation of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Program Area, utilizing appropriate policies and procedures.  Work and communicate with the Human Resources Manager and Executive Director in solving situations and addressing non-routine issues.

 

            •           Provide program area leadership for generating new funds, combining creative programming vision and fund development strategies for new fees, grants, contracts, etc.

 

            Communication, Reporting Marketing

 

            •           Develop written reports on work plans and accomplishments and communicate results to appropriate parties (e.g. Executive Director, Association Committees, Cornell Administration and faculty).

 

            •           Develop and maintain effective working relationships with related program areas, Cornell faculty, local agricultural organizations and agribusinesses, and keep these groups informed of Extension programs and direction.

 

            •           Act as a resource person to staff and volunteers in areas of communications, management and personal and subject matter development.

 

            •           Assure effective marketing strategies are used in the planning and promotion of programs, in interpreting results and communicating impacts.

 

            •           Serve as a spokesperson for the Association in Agriculture and Natural Resources related issues with clientele, community leaders and media.

 

Programming Responsibilities                                                                                  40%

           

            Program Implementation and Management

 

            •           Responsible for providing expertise and leadership to plan, develop, implement and evaluate a comprehensive high impact program for a major area of Agriculture and Natural Resources such as Dairy/Livestock Management, Agronomy and Soil Science or Farm Business Management.

 

            •           Serve as a resource to various agricultural organizations and attend their meetings on an as needed basis.

 

            •           Develop research connections with faculty and contribute to research as appropriate.

 

            •           Prepare and support the development and compilation of educational materials such as training aids, exhibits, and demonstration projects.  Obtain specialized assistance from Cornell faculty and specialists as needed for developing program material.

           

            •           Actively search out grant resources, prepare grant documents and submit for funding to maintain existing programs and/or create new program priorities.

 

            •           Programming to include multi-dimensional approaches, a variety of delivery methods including formal workshops, on-site visits, hands-on trainings, phone consultations and media efforts.

 

            Program Delivery

 

            •           Identify issues and needs through program committee, advisory groups, clientele and Cornell.

 

            •           Plan short and long-range educational programs within area of agricultural expertise consistent with plan-of-work and priority issues as determined by the Association.

 

            •           Access Cornell resources

 

            •           Coordinate annual events such as: Enrollment Campaign, Down on the Farm Day, Ag Day, and Livestock Auction.

 

            Program Evaluation

 

            •           Write measurable objectives and design evaluation strategies to determine the effects of individual and group program efforts toward making an acceptable impact on Association priorities.

 

            •           Analyze and evaluate program impacts and make recommendations to program committee and advisory groups for strengthening and improving programs.

 

            •           Confer with program participants, Association Committees, Cornell Administration and faculty and County and agricultural leaders to obtain their evaluation of programs.

 

Staff and Professional Development                                                                                    10%

 

            •           Provide specialized instructional/coaching mentoring to orient, counsel and direct the program related work assigned professionals, para professionals and clerical staff.

 

            •           Jointly develop and review progress of Educator(s) professional improvement plans and discuss appropriate educational courses as needed to increase staff competency.

 

            •           Participate in in-service education sponsored by Cornell or other organizations as appropriate to improve competencies on the job.

 

            Administrative and Reporting Relationships

 

            •           Supervised by the Executive Director as an educational and managerial professional subject to Association policies.  Guidance and direction is provided by the program committee and Extension Administration.

 

            •           Provide for the supervision of Extension Educators and Program Assistants within assigned unit.

 

            •           Maintain effective working relationships with Cornell faculty and administration.

 

           

 

 

Key Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

 

            •           Ability to relate effectively with co-workers, advisors, community and agricultural leaders.

           

            •           Demonstrated initiative, reliability and dependability

           

            •           Demonstrated teaching and motivational skills

 

            •           Demonstrated skills in effectively communicating through oral, written, visual and electronic channels.

 

Special Requirements

 

            •           Willingness to work evenings and weekends as needed

 

            •           Must possess or be able to obtain a certified New York Pesticide Applicators License.

 

            •           Ability to meet the travel demands of the job.

 

Minimum Education and Experience

 

            •           An MS degree from an accredited institution in an agricultural discipline (Animal Science, Agronomy, Farm Business Management, Agricultural Education.

 

            •           Two years of progressively responsible experience in Extension education or a related field.

 

           

 

APPLICATIONS will be reviewed beginning on May 23, 2008, or until an acceptable pool of applicants has been identified.

 

Send letter of intent, resume, and transcripts to PA#468, 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.  EOE.

 

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