CORNELL COOPERATIVE EXTENSION -
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Working Title: Project
Coordinator, Ashokan Basin Stream Management Program
Cornell Title: Issue
Leader
Location: 10
Westbrook Lane, Kingston, NY 12401
Supervisor: Executive Director
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES
The
Project Coordinator will work under the direct supervision of the Cornell Cooperative
Extension of Ulster County (CCEUC) Executive Director in a coordinated effort
with New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the Ulster
County Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD), and project stakeholders
to facilitate and lead a coordinated approach to stream management planning,
implementation and education for the Ashokan Reservoir watershed located in the
Catskill Mountains of NY (“the Project”).
The CCEUC role in the Project also includes managing a stream management
plan implementation fund (“SMP Implementation Fund”) provided by DEP. Specifically the Project Coordinator will
provide leadership to:
·
Coordinate,
manage, and supervise all aspects of CCE activities related to stream
management planning and implementation in the
·
Coordinate
meetings and communications of stakeholder advisory efforts.
·
Work
with stakeholders and participating agencies, develop a watershed
decision-making structure to prioritize and implement recommendations within
stream management plans (SMP).
·
Work with DEP
and SWCD and Stakeholders, facilitate/manage the distribution of the SMP
Implementation Fund and facilitate other funding to selected projects.
·
Orient,
counsel, and direct the program-related work of assigned professionals,
para-professionals, clerical staff and volunteers and provide specialized
instruction when needed.
·
Manage
and maintain a satellite office in the watershed.
·
Apply for grants and contracts to enhance the work of the Project,
as appropriate. Manage multiple
budgets/lines as needed.
·
Manage
subcontractors or consultants performing work.
·
Oversee an education/outreach program that
focuses on public and agency awareness of stream corridor issues as well as
engagement in the planning process.
·
Where
stream channel work, stormwater BMPs, or flood mitigation projects are
constructed, to advocate continued application of fluvial geomorphic
methods to address channel stability simultaneously with water quality,
habitat, flood hazard and aesthetic concerns;
·
Develop
and maintain effective in-office, county, and regional working relationships.
·
Represent
the association before the public, community leaders, government officials and
·
Assist
in marketing efforts of Cooperative Extension to the community. Assure good marketing strategies are used in
the planning and promotion of programs and in the generation of an appropriate
public image.
·
Maintain
an effective connection to Cornell Extension administration and faculty.
JOB DUTIES
PROJECT PLANNING & COORDINATION 40%
Effort
·
Coordinate and
manage short- and long-range Project planning, needs assessments, educational
programming, Plan development, implementation, evaluation and modification.
·
Work
closely with the DEP Project Manager and other Project partners to coordinate
multiple efforts and to prepare a biennial Ashokan Basin SMP Action Plan that
satisfies DEP Filtration Avoidance Determination requirements.
·
Working in
collaboration with Stakeholders, DEP and SWCD, CCEUC shall directly assist or
subcontract for assistance in developing streamlined stream management plans
for selected tributaries within the
·
Work
with DEP and other Project partners on data organization, analysis, record
keeping and database management, and the compilation of results, conclusions
and recommendations;
·
Project
development should include strategic goals, measurable objectives and
evaluation methods to measure impact.
·
Oversee
production and distribution of drafts and final copies of planning documents.
§
Carry
out ongoing needs assessments with Project stakeholders to include corridor
community residents and businesses, town government, other local, state and
federal resource protection agencies, Executive Director, volunteers, Project
funders, collaborators and/or Project participants.
§
Draw
upon
·
Coordinate
meetings and communications of stakeholders and any subcontractors or
consultants employed by CCEUC for the Project.
·
Coordinate
public information meetings and individual homeowner contact as needed to keep
members of the community informed of Project status.
·
Collate
and circulate materials gathered from stakeholder meetings, public information
meetings or surveys, including minutes or summary reports for review.
·
Participate
in multidisciplinary, multi-association, regional and/or statewide
initiatives/conferences that pertain to Project issues.
·
Solve
problems and resolve conflicts that arise utilizing
appropriate policies and procedures.
·
Assure
good fiscal management for the Project by coordinating with funders and CCEUC
staff on administrative and budget details.
FACILITATION
& CONSENSUS BUILDING 35%
EFFORT
•
Work
with and recruit participation from watershed towns, residents, streamside
landowners, anglers, recreational users, participating agencies and other
stakeholders, to build capacity for and facilitate the development of a
decision-making entity (such as a watershed council, partnership, consortium,
or committee) and subject-oriented working groups that represent the multiple
stakeholder interests and that can be locally led and sustained over time.
•
Develop,
in coordination with DEP Stream Management Program and SWCD (participating
agencies) and stakeholders, an implementation plan and project prioritization
tool for stream management plan recommendations.
•
Identify
and/or develop tools, incentives, and programs for implementing stream
management plan recommendations in the
•
As
grant opportunities are identified, coordinate the grant application and/or
lead grant writing efforts and partnerships.
•
Facilitate
meetings to foster communication and cooperation among parties on
multi-jurisdictional issues such as flood response, right-of-way maintenance,
and many others
•
Oversee
the development of CCEUC educational programming, in consultation with
stakeholders and participating agencies, to ensure that education outcomes are
in-line with project goals and reach intended audiences.
•
Create
or participate in community organizations to address Project priorities.
Collaborate with community leaders, municipal officials, county, state, and/or
federal agency staff and non-profit and business staff to provide resources and
programs that support and strengthen their efforts in Project development and
implementation.
•
Develop
networks of volunteers and/or professionals and non-professionals to extend
Project outreach and impact.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT 20%
EFFORT
·
Manage CCEUC’s
5-year contract with DEP and be responsible for forecasting quarterly initiatives
and expenses; advancing and managing multiple budget lines, and executing the
scope of work.
·
Coordinate
and submit quarterly reports to DEP; and project updates to partnering agencies
and organizations as appropriate.
·
Jointly
schedule at least one (1) meeting per month with DEP and SWCD to review Project
status and milestones.
·
Prepare
grant applications and contracts for the acquisition of consultant services as
needed and monitor/mange grants & subcontract.
·
Jointly
develop and review progress of assigned professional, para-professionals,
clerical staff improvement plans as needed to increase staff competency.
·
Evaluate
performance and conduct annual performance conferences with assigned
staff. Provide feedback, coaching and
performance management to staff.
·
Provide
management for the jointly occupied CCEUC/SWCD satellite watershed office, and
coordinate with SWCD on equipment purchases, and work load for a shared
administrative assistant.
·
Regularly
evaluate project programs to improve effectiveness by obtaining feedback from
program participants, advisory committees, Cornell faculty, community leaders
and other stakeholders.
·
Responsible
for complying with all EEO/EPO policies/procedures as listed in the CCE
Affirmative Action plan and in the personnel manual.
STAFF AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT 5%
EFFORT
·
Develop
and pursue a professional improvement plan to enhance competency in position
responsibilities.
REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS
·
Supervised
by the Executive Director. Operate as a
technical and managerial professional, subject to CCEUC policies.
·
Supervise program and/or clerical staff and may
coordinate activities of other professionals on a multi-association basis or in
specialized program effort within the association.
·
Maintain
effective working relationships with Extension faculty and administration.
COMPETENCIES
Necessary
·
Knowledge
and or direct experience with organizational development of public/private
partnerships such as watershed councils.
·
Demonstrated
commitment to collaboration and participatory models of community
engagement.
·
Ability
to initiate, plan, organize, implement, and evaluate a natural resource
protection/management plan.
·
Academic and experience-based
familiarity with natural resource science, specifically related to water
resources.
·
Demonstrated
effective use of a variety of program delivery methods to reach individuals and
groups.
·
Demonstrated
skills in effectively communicating through oral, written, and visual channels
using traditional tools as well as innovative applications of electronic
technology (e.g., computers, video, etc.).
·
Demonstrated
ability to successfully provide supervision, guidance and motivation to staff
and volunteers.
·
Ability
to relate effectively to and work with co-workers, volunteers, advisors,
community and professional leaders, clientele groups and other diverse
audiences.
·
Demonstrated
initiative, reliability, and dependability.
·
Demonstrated
ability to successfully manage resources.
·
Demonstrated
ability to successfully lead and participate effectively in professional team
efforts.
·
Knowledge
of Project area needs and the services provided by other agencies that relate
to the Project.
·
Knowledge
of regional, statewide and/or national initiatives related to Project.
·
Demonstrated
success in securing grant funds and managing grant funded programs.
MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPEREINCE REQUIREMENT
·
Masters
degree in a field related to water resource issues, such as
hydrology/geology/biology, environmental science and/or natural resource
planning, environmental education or forestry.
·
Four
years of progressively responsible experience in Cooperative Extension or
equivalent professional experience. A PhD may substitute for two years of
experience.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
•
Must be
willing to travel and work flexible schedule sometimes requiring evenings
and/or weekends.
•
•
Official
mileage reimbursed according to Association policy.
•
Must know and
abide by association personnel policies.
•
Must have
ability to work in conditions of uneven terrain in mountain streams if needed.
•
Must be able
to transport program supplies and equipment to multiple program sites.
•
Willing to
reside in
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