Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County
PROGRAM FAMILY Position Description
Working
Title: Agriculture/Horticulture Program
Issue Leader
Classification
Title: Issue
Leader (exempt)
Supervisor’s
Classification Title: Executive Director
Location: Dutchess
County, Millbrook, New York
The
face of Dutchess County Agriculture and
Horticulture is changing due to the
pressures and challenges of land development
versus preservation of open space and rural/suburban lifestyle farming. Current commodities include: field crops (soybean, hay, corn, etc.),
vegetables, dairy, beef, equine, sheep, goats, Christmas trees,
landscape/nurseries, greenhouses, garden centers, florists, fruit (tree and
small fruit/berries), turf, community forestry, etc. Interest in small farm operations and exotic
animals is increasing.
Primary Role and
Accountability:
ñ Provides leadership to the
Agriculture/Horticulture Program area within the Association.
ñ Responsible for Agricultural/Horticultural
Program development, implementation, grants, marketing, evaluation, and applied
research to address local and system-wide initiatives.
ñ Develops, delivers and
evaluates educational programs pertaining
to farm business management and
marketing in partnership with the
agricultural/horticultural community of the county.
ñ Provides leadership for
agricultural/horticultural policy and is spokesperson for local
agriculture/horticulture including the agricultural district law, general
agricultural practices, town zoning and regulation as they relate to
agriculture/horticulture and public education.
ñ Develops and
maintains local, regional, and community liaisons. Works with the Farm Bureau, the Agriculture and
Farmland Protection Board, government officials and other
agricultural/horticultural groups on issues of local agricultural/horticulture
policy and education.
ñ Identifies local/regional priorities and
program direction as part of the management team with Executive Director and
state/local Program Leadership and Program Work Teams.
ñ Connects with other associations and Cornell
faculty/area teams to examine and develop regional efforts in program and
research related to Extension's mission, priority programs and issues.
ñ Supervises Agriculture/Horticulture Program
staff to effect quality program.
Leadership/Program
Development/Marketing/Research/Evaluation/Supervision Accountabilities (75%):
In addition to Primary Role and
Accountabilities: knowledgeable in, and ability to perform, all of the
following. Must comply with codes, policies and procedures issued by Cornell
Cooperative Extension and Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County.
ê Provide
leadership for quality education agricultural/horticultural programs with input
from Cornell faculty, Association staff, program committee and clientele while
utilizing program development/needs assessment processes that reflect the
community’s diversity and priorities.
ê Coordinate local agriculture/horticulture
policy and education with the Dutchess County Farm Bureau, Dutchess County
Agriculture & Farmland Protection Board and other related
agricultural/horticultural organizations.
ê As a liaison between Cornell and local
Association Committees/Staff, provide program direction that includes local
input within the guidelines of overarching organizational mission, policies and
procedures.
ê Provide leadership for
agricultural/horticultural staff team including ongoing supervision, program
planning and implementation, employee development and training. Evaluate and conduct annual performance
reviews of staff.
ê Address and
resolve Agriculture/Horticulture Program personnel, volunteer and
administrative issues utilizing appropriate policies and procedures. Work and communicate with Executive Director
re: resolution strategies and any critical situations/issues.
ê Work with fiscal staff and
executive director on the development and management of budget. Work with human resources staff and Executive
Director regarding staffing issues and tasks including staffing plans, new
staff searches and orientation for new Agriculture/Horticulture staff.
ê Conduct short
and long range program planning. Support and assist in the
evaluation of educational programs of assigned staff. As needed, provide reports that include
impact/outcome measures utilizing a variety of evaluative methods.
ê Promote program planning
and team efforts with other program areas and associations to address priority
issues.
ê Provide leadership and commitment to seek out
and secure grants/alternative funding sources to support
agriculture/horticulture priority programs.
Responsible for management of grants and contracts including evaluation
of grant/alternative funded programs and all required reporting.
ê Professionally represent
the association with the public, community leaders, government offices and
Cornell University.
ê Cooperatively participate as
a member of the association’s leadership team re: association issues,
priorities, etc., providing input and reports, etc. as needed.
ê Other duties as assigned.
Program Management and Coordination
Accountabilities (20%)
ê Responsible for
planning, implementing and conducting educational programs in farm business management and marketing that address critical local needs as
identified through needs assessments. This may include
meetings, special training seminars, roundtable discussions, etc.
ê Seek input from the Cornell
faculty, association staff, program committee and clientele in the development
of educational programs in farm business
management and marketing that are diverse and address the needs of the
community.
ê Participate in mass media effort
related to program including newsletters, magazine articles, press releases and
web-based communication.
ê Serve as a subject matter
resource to staff and clientele, including schools, agencies, and other groups,
as they are identified.
ê Other duties as assigned.
Professional
Improvement (5%):
In cooperation with
supervisor, jointly develop and pursue a professional development plan as a
means to increase competencies relative to position accountabilities and to
address changes in Association priorities.
EEO/EPO
Accountabilities:
All Association employees
have accountability in this area including appreciating and embracing diversity
in all interactions with clientele, staff, volunteers and the public. The Issue Leader is responsible for ensuring
agricultural/horticultural programs outreach to diverse audiences and that all
searches reach out and include a diverse pool.
Contacts (level of
interaction and outcomes):
– Attend meetings
and trainings to stay abreast and ascertain changes and needs relevant to
position. Participate in program committee and
agricultural industry meetings to convey resources and capabilities of the
association to reflect their priority issues.
– Serve on appropriate
association committees as needed.
Actively represent the association on statewide Program Work Teams to
ensure connections that will enable increased capabilities to address local and
regional efforts and priorities.
– Serve on appropriate
community agricultural/horticultural committees as appropriate.
– Interact directly with, and
seek the resource expertise of, faculty and other subject matter experts to
address identified needs and to address complex issues.
– Perform accountabilities
under the direct supervision and general direction of the Executive Director.
– Responsible for the direct
supervision of Agricultural/Horticultural program staff. Offer input, coach and evaluate each staff
member on job performance and program goals.
–Masters degree with 4 years
experience. PHD may substitute for 2
years experience. Farm business
management &/or marketing degree or experience preferred.
– Must
demonstrate agricultural policy experience.
–
Must demonstrate volunteer management experience.
– Must demonstrate
program/personnel management experience.
– Must demonstrate success
with securing alternate funding and grants.
– Good verbal, written and
Internet communication skills with web-based research ability.
– Must be able to demonstrate
ability to work as part of a team and independently.
– Ability to work with
diverse people and groups.
– Ability to resolve
conflicts
– Ability to manage long-term
goals within a context of day-to-day deadlines. Ability to organize work and
set priorities; ability to handle multiple tasks; ability to work under
pressure.
– Ability to creatively solve
problems. Ability to gather, assemble, consolidate and analyze facts and draw
conclusions.
– Must demonstrate a high
degree of accuracy, integrity, sound professional judgment and the ability to
handle confidential and sensitive information.
– Working knowledge of
Microsoft Office desirable
Special Requirements:
– Must learn, know and abide by association
personnel policies.
– Ability to
meet travel demands of the position.
– Must be willing to travel and work flexible schedule
requiring some evenings and weekends.
APPLICATIONS will be reviewed
beginning on June 30, 2008,
or until an acceptable pool of applicants has been identified.
Send letter of intent,
resume, and transcripts to PA
**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