CORNELL COOPERATIVE EXTENSION of ULSTER COUNTY

POSITION DESCRIPTION

 

Working Title:                          Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences  

Cornell Title:                            Issue Leader

Location:                                 10 Westbrook Lane, Kingston, NY  12401

Supervisor:                              Executive Director

 

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

·    Provide leadership for planning, coordination, implementation and evaluation of educational programs in family and consumer sciences for targeted audiences on a county wide or multi-county basis. 

·    Assist in marketing efforts of Cooperative Extension to the community. 

·    Provide initiative in developing and implementing appropriate program responsibilities under coordination of the Association Director and the Association Program Committee. 

·    May work with faculty on applied research in appropriate areas.

·    Responsible for providing overall leadership for the development of family and consumer sciences programs (FCS) and collaboration with other association issue leaders on a county wide or multi-county basis.

·    Leads planning, implementation and evaluation of priority FCS programs: nutrition, health and food safety and family resource management; and areas determined in the future.

·    Supervise professional, para-professional, and support staff.   

·    Develop and implement programs in assigned program area(s) of expertise.

·    Act as a resource leader to the Association Program Committee and other Program Advisory Committees and Task Forces.  

·    Responsible for resource procurement and effective management of resources available for educational programs in nutrition, health and food safety, family resource management and other FCS priority areas that are determined. 

·    May serve on a multi-association program team or operate as a team leader in coordinating a multi-association program or specialized program effort within the association.

·     Contribute to marketing efforts of Cooperative Extension to the community. 

·    Represents the association to the public, community leaders, government officials and Cornell University in conjunction with program leadership responsibilities.

 

PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT                                              60% EFFORT

·    Provide leadership for quality FCS educational programs which includes representatives of diverse community groups.

·    Coordinate and manage short- and long-range program development, including plans-of-works, program review, program evaluation and impact reporting.

·    Identify local program needs with program committees, advisory groups, and program participants.

·    Interpret Cornell program direction to association committee members and provide for interaction with Cornell program directors, faculty, and administration.

·    Organize, coordinate, and direct the work of educators, program assistants and volunteers in implementing education activities related to program priorities.

·    Develop educational strategies that utilize proven educational methodologies and that consider the diversity of the community.

·    Coordinate program development with program committees, Executive Director, and other associations utilizing the plan-of-work and program evaluations. Confer and partner with Cornell faculty and administrators ensuring program content is consistent with policies and objectives of the association.

·    Provide leadership to staff in development of marketing efforts and program delivery methods.

·    Develop and enhance relationships with appropriate agencies, organizations, industries, and community leaders.

·    Participate in multidisciplinary team efforts to address priority issues.

·    Prepare reports on program progress and accomplishments of (multi-) association programming for local, state, and federal use.

·    Prepare budget requests, compile budget data and written reports on program finances and work plans.

·     Supervise and manage the expenditure of funds consistent with association policies and funders. Plan for the purchase of supplies and equipment.

·    Seek out, prepare, and submit grant proposals to secure additional resources and funding, actively involving the Association Director, program committee, Board of Directors, Cornell faculty, and Extension Administration.

·    Support the professional development of staff and volunteers.

·    Make staffing recommendations in order to implement programs.

·    Solve problems and resolve conflicts that arise in the operation of the program unit, utilizing appropriate policies and procedures.

 

PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION                                                             20% EFFORT

·    Develop networks of volunteers and /or professionals and nonprofessionals to extend program implementation efforts.

·    May provide educational programming to targeted adult and youth audiences in FCS priority areas such as family resource management and nutrition, health, food safety.

·    Serve as a subject-matter resource to the program committee, staff and clientele, including schools, agencies, and other groups, as they are identified.

·    Provide counsel and support to extension educators within the association and to other associations to foster the development of confidence and competence in program processes.

·    Involved in mass media efforts related to program implementation and marketing of programs. 

 

PROGRAM EVALUATION                                                                                  10% EFFORT

·    Analyze and evaluate programs and make recommendations for change in emphasis and/or improvement to program committees and Cornell faculty and program units as necessary.

·    Communicate evaluation results, findings, and recommendations to educators, program committee members, clientele, and Cornell faculty and administrators.

·    Monitor assigned programs to ensure that educational content conforms to the policies and objectives of the association and Cornell University.

 

COMMUNICATIONS, REPORTING, MARKETING                                                5% EFFORT

·    Under general direction from the Executive Director, advisory committee, and program committee assist in the business and management of the association relating to program, including assisting in compiling annual budget data and managing the program unit's resources.

·    Work and communicate with the Executive Director in solving critical situations and in addressing non-routine issues.

·    Develop appropriate written reports on work plans and accomplishments and communicate results to appropriate parties.

·    Assure good marketing strategies are used in the planning and promotion of programs and in the generation of an appropriate public image.

 

STAFF AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT                                      5% EFFORT

·    Orient, counsel, and direct the program-related work of assigned professionals, para-professionals, clerical staff and volunteers and provide specialized instruction when needed.

·    Jointly develop and review progress of assigned professional, para-professionals, clerical staff improvement plans as needed to increase staff competency.

·    Provide in-service education and be a program resource for FCS program staff and volunteers.

·     Maintain a volunteer system to identify and recruit volunteers providing orientation, training and leadership development to enable them to better serve the community.

·    Evaluate performance and conduct annual performance conferences with assigned staff.  Provide feedback, coaching and performance management to staff.

·    Participate in orientation programs.  Attend in-service education as appropriate relating to assigned program and administrative responsibilities.

·    Jointly develop and pursue professional improvement plan, in cooperation with supervisor, to increase competency in position responsibilities.

 

 

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

·    Employed by the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County association or under a multi-association contract.  Reports to and receives supervision and guidance from the Executive Director.

·    Program direction is established through coordination with program committee, education teams and board of directors as well as Cornell faculty and program units.

·    Supervises program and/or clerical staff and may coordinate activities of other professionals on a multi-association basis or in a specialized program effort within the association.

 

 

DEGREE AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

Required:  Master’s Degree with academic concentration in nutrition and related areas and/or academic preparation and 4 years experience.  PHD may substitute for 2 years experience.

 

 

COMPETENCIES

·    Demonstrated ability to provide supervision and guidance to staff.

·    Knowledge of the principles, theory, research, and application of subject-matter appropriate to area of specialization.

·    Demonstrated ability to develop, initiate, implement, teach, and evaluate informal adult/youth educational programs to address diverse audiences.

·    Ability to define, conduct, and interpret applied research/demonstration projects.

·    Recognized ability to identify and utilize program resources within the community.

·    Demonstrated ability to lead and effectively participate in professional team efforts.

·    Proven ability to work with and support volunteer leadership and advisory committees.

·    Demonstrated ability to relate effectively to co-workers, advisors, community and professional leaders, and identified clientele.

·    Demonstrated effective use of a variety of program delivery methods to reach individuals and groups.

·    Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively through oral, written, and visual channels using traditional tools as well as innovative applications of electronic technology (e.g., computers, audio, video, etc.).

 

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

·    Ability to meet travel requirements. Will be reimbursed mileage for official business.

·    Must know and abide by association personnel policies.

·    Must be willing to travel and work flexible schedule sometimes requiring evenings and/or weekends.

·    Must be able to transport program supplies and equipment to multiple program sites.

 

APPLICATIONS will be reviewed beginning on November 14, 2008, or until an acceptable pool of applicants has been identified.

 

Send letter of intent, resume, and transcripts to PA#484, 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