Position
Description
Working Title:
Dairy Herd Management/Systems Educator
Location: Cornell Cooperative
Extension of St. Lawrence County
1894 SH 68
Classification
Title: Extension
Resource Educator
Association: Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County
(CCE of SLC)
Supervisor’s
Classification Title: Agriculture Issue Leader
Primary Role and
Accountability
Brief Description:
Responsible for
planning, implementing, and evaluating high quality educational programs in
dairy herd health and management, facilities, nutrition, breeding, young stock
management and other topics relating to enhancing the profitability of the
dairy industry in St. Lawrence and
Results &
Activities Expected:
Implement a Dairy Herd Management / Systems
Education Program
·
Plan and deliver short and long-range educational programs within the assigned
subject matter area such as principles of dairy management and on-farm
application, with particular focus on management practices that will enhance
farm profitability. Programs may include
herd health and management, facilities, nutrition, breeding, young stock
management, economic decision-making, and other topics related to dairy
production and dairy farm business management.
·
Serve as an educational resource to producers, government agencies,
agribusiness associations, and youth groups.
·
Identify program needs through supervisor, program committees,
clientele, CALS faculty, CCE Ag Educators, and others.
·
Ensure that the program direction and related activities are
coordinated within the overall plan-of-work and are within the mission of
Cornell Cooperative Extension.
·
Develop programs that take into consideration the diversity of the
agricultural industry and economic practices within the two-county region.
·
Support existing or ongoing programs on a continuing basis. These
programs may include the Northern New York Ag Development Program, Dairy Farm
Business Summary Program, and PRO-DAIRY.
·
Coordinate/conduct educational efforts for agribusiness in response to
emerging issues.
·
Utilize Cornell program resources in order to address identified
clientele needs and to select program materials.
·
Collaborate with multi-disciplinary educators within NNY to address
priority issues.
·
Work in concert with other team members to develop a “whole farm”
approach to problem solving.
·
Provide leadership in the design, evaluation, and analysis of dairy
programs and make appropriate recommendations for change in emphasis and/or
improvement.
·
Monitor program to ensure that educational content conforms to policies
and objectives of the CCE Associations in St. Lawrence and
·
Collaborate with other extension educators across the NNY region and
CALS faculty to plan and deliver appropriate programs.
·
Assist in the preparation and communication of reports that show the impact
of programs to funders, appropriate committees, clientele and Cornell faculty.
·
Respond to requests from community media representatives for
information about assigned subject matter areas, and refer other questions as
appropriate to either the Agriculture Issue Leader or the Executive Director.
·
Recruit volunteer staff and provide assistance in developing leadership
skills.
·
Assist in seeking out, preparing and submitting proposals to secure
additional funding in conjunction with other staff members.
·
Collaborate with other CCE staff as appropriate for dairy related
programming at the CCE of St. Lawrence County Learning Farm.
·
Other appropriate duties as assigned.
·
Participation in professional improvement activities such as:
*
Attend orientation programs and appropriate in-service education to
keep up-to-date on subject matter and process/teaching techniques.
*
Participate in and provide leadership for professional societies and
organizations mutually agreeable to both Agriculture Issue Leader and educator.
*
Develop professional improvement plan in cooperation with Agriculture
Issue Leader to increase competency in job responsibilities and maintain
program excellence.
Program Management and Coordination Accountabilities (5%)
a.
Provide educational leadership in the
development, implementation and evaluation of high priority, long-term programs
based on research related to Dairy Systems Management. Keep up to date on
research, current and future trends and local and state demographic information
and apply this to the area of dairy systems.
b.
Counsel with Agriculture Issue Leader,
Extension Executive Director, Program Advisory Committees, and other
specialists on overall program design and priorities identified in County,
Regional and State Program Plans.
c.
Market programs to all types of
audiences and promote the total mission of Cornell Cooperative Extension using
mass media, information technology and other forums reaching a variety of
groups and individuals.
d.
Create an awareness of Cornell
Cooperative Extension programs among civic organizations, public agencies and
key leaders.
Subject Matter Resource and Program Delivery Accountabilities
(80%)
a. Provide
guidance, resources and educational programming to the agricultural community
in the areas of Dairy Systems Management.
b. Provide
guidance, resources and educational programming, if appropriate, at the
Extension Learning Farm program at the
c. Implement
programming related to in-service education offerings and other continuing
education events within area of expertise.
d. Conduct relevant
research in St. Lawrence and
e. Participate in
interdisciplinary program development teams, committees and task forces.
f.
In conjunction with the Agriculture Issue Leader, pursue
and develop sources of funding both internally and externally and manage
financial and human resources needed to deliver and sustain programs.
g. Assume occasional
programmatic responsibilities as assigned by the Regional Dairy Program Chairperson
for
h. Conduct
activities in accordance with the Civil Rights Acts, Title IX, Rehabilitation,
Americans with Disabilities Act and local, state and region affirmative action
plans.
Research and Program Evaluation Accountabilities
(10%)
a.
Annually provide an updated job
description and performance expectations, related to county and state program
plans. Working in conjunction with the Agriculture Issue Leader, develop an
annual individual development plan.
b.
Prepare and submit timely, clear and
concise reports that indicate program progress and impact including knowledge,
skills and behavior change of learners, and maintain records to support these
reports.
Professional Improvement (5%)
In
conjunction with the Agriculture Issue Leader, assess personal assets and needs
to plan and participate in appropriate professional development, regional and
program staff conferences and professional meetings as a means to provide
current, up-to-date, quality programming that reflects industry changes and
evolving priorities.
EEO/EPO Accountabilities
Employee will ensure Program
outreach to diverse audiences and appreciate diversity in all interactions with
clientele, staff, volunteers and the general public.
Relationships:
·
Employed by Cooperative Extension Association of St. Lawrence County.
·
Develop and deliver educational programs in St. Lawrence and
·
Work in collaboration with other Ag Educators in NNY region and beyond
to address issues critical to the Dairy industry.
·
Report to and receive guidance from the Agriculture Issue Leader.
·
May supervise professional, program and clerical staff within CCE of
SLC.
·
Develop a good working relationship and function as a resource to area
farm groups, government agencies, agribusiness people and volunteers in the CCE
system.
·
Maintain an ongoing relationship with Cornell faculty and staff germane
to subject matter responsibilities.
Key Knowledge, Skills &
Abilities:
·
Knowledge of principles, theory, and research in dairy/livestock
productions, and related subjects.
·
Knowledge and/or ability to develop additional skills in dairy farm
business management
·
Ability to initiate, plan, implement, teach, and evaluate educational
programs that address the needs of diverse dairy-related audiences.
·
Ability to identify and utilize a variety of program delivery methods
to reach individuals and groups.
·
Ability to understand, interpret, and communicate complex issues.
·
Demonstrated ability to define, conduct and interpret
research/demonstration projects.
·
Demonstrated ability to involve appropriate people and committees in
determining program direction.
·
Demonstrated ability to work as a team member.
·
Demonstrated human relation skills to relate effectively to co-workers,
advisors, clientele groups, community and professional leaders.
·
Ability to communicate effectively using oral, written and visual means
both to individuals and to groups.
·
Ability to effectively use computers, pertinent computer software, and
modern distance learning technologies.
·
Ability to access appropriate information or resources to respond to
farmers' technical agricultural needs.
·
Desirable to have background and /or skills in areas such as marketing,
grant writing, dairy farm business management and/or fund development.
·
Willingness and ability to make on-farm consultations to local dairy
businesses.
Qualifications:
Minimum Education Required
·
Necessary: Masters Degree with a major in animal or dairy science,
dairy management, agricultural technology, dairy systems, or related degree.
·
Desirable: Additional coursework
in adult education, dairy business management, agricultural engineering, or
other facets of production agriculture technology.
Minimum Experience Required
·
Necessary with a Masters Degree: Knowledge of dairy industry.
·
Desirable with a Master Degree: One or more years in Extension or
agribusiness or dairy field. Knowledge of Northeast dairy industry. Farm
background desirable.
Special
Requirements:
·
Willingness to accept a flexible work schedule, including weekends and
evenings.
·
Willingness to travel as required.
·
Ability to obtain a valid NYS driver’s license.
Compensation: Commensurate with qualifications.
APPLICATIONS will be reviewed beginning 6/30/08,
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.
Cornell Cooperative Extension
provides equal program and employment opportunities.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: http://www.cce.cornell.edu