Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chemung County

Working Title: Regional Community and Economic Vitality Educator (.5FTE)

Classification Title: Sr. Resource Educator

Supervisor's Classification Title: CCE Chemung Executive Director

Time Frame January – December 2009

General Overview

The educator will work in a collaborative mode to strengthen the capacity of local institutions in New York State at the intersection of community development and economic development. This position will promote entrepreneurship, innovation and regional economic competitiveness through education and research. Thirteen counties in the Southern Tier/Finger Lakes regions are part of the P4P region; it is expected that some of the 13 counties will be less involved that others and that the work will be with a core group of counties.

Primary Role and Accountability

Primary role is to build the capacity of local communities to meet community and economic vitality goals as outlined in the Pipeline 4 Progress (P4P) Regional Action Plan. Responsible for working with CCE Associations, Cornell Faculty, Community and Rural Development Institute and the EDA University Center, P4P/Three Rivers Development, local government officials, businesses, agencies, and citizens to achieve project goals and objectives. This includes functions, such as but not limited to: regional support for entrepreneurship, regional capacity building for innovation, overseeing business retention and expansion strategies for key industry sectors, and partnership building.

Issue Area Program Development and Priority Setting Accountabilities 20%

· Working with CaRDI, P4P, municipal and community leaders, identify program priorities and establish outreach goals.

· Identify and/or develop effective educational programs in cooperation with P4P, Economic Development Administration (EDA) University Center and the CCE Associations to address identified goals.

· Identify common community and economic development needs and matching them with appropriate resources and delivery methods.

· Identify strategies for addressing gaps .

· Develop a business retention and expansion approach for key industry sectors in the region.

Program Management and Coordination Accountabilities 15%

· Serve as a catalyst to implement strategies that will help build a stronger regional entrepreneurial development infrastructure and community capacity within and across municipalities.

· Facilitate inter-community cooperation and communication by developing a regional learning community based on peer to peer support and an exchange of best practices and research-based technical training

Subject Matter Resource and Program Delivery Accountabilities 50%

· As a subject matter expert, independently identify clientele and select appropriate subject matter relative to analyzed needs, alerting supervisor of issues and concerns as well as actual or potential areas of risk or conflict.

· Connect with Cornell University and/or other land grant university academic resources to address program needs.

· Conduct a regional Entrepreneurial Assessment

· Survey factors associated with inter-community variability in capacity to promote economic development, with particular emphasis on the roles of inter-local cooperation and entrepreneurial climate.

· Continuous research and networking for resources that can benefit targeted projects.

· Identify and share “best practices” with municipal, project leaders, and interested citizens through varied delivery methods.

· Provide technical assistance, e.g. planning, grant assistance, resource identification, training, and evaluation, to community and/or project leaders in the P4P region.

Program Evaluation Accountabilities______________________________________________10%

· Oversee evaluation of targeted projects and track vital indicators of regional/community well-being

· Develop assessment, evaluation and benchmark tools designed to help communities monitor progress toward economic growth, entrepreneurial development, and regional cooperation

· Communicate regularly with P4P Implementation Team, monitoring and reporting progress of projects on a regular basis.

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 change in programming and association priorities.

EEO/EPO Accountabilities

Ensure program participation and outreach to diverse audiences

Contacts (level of interaction and outcomes)

Develop mechanisms to maintain contacts throughout the region, with CCE Associations, key government leaders and industry and business representatives. Maintain regular communication with the P4P Implementation Team.

Reporting Relationships and Type of Supervision Received/Given

Performs accountabilities under general supervision of the CCE Chemung Director and reports on monthly basis to CaRDI Director and P4P Coordinator.

Degree and Experience Pre-requisites

A masters’ degree in business, finance, economics, planning, public administration, community development and/or economic development or a closely related field with 2 years experience. Related work experience in education and community and/or economic development would be of value. Candidate should possess teaching, program development and evaluation skills. Candidate must demonstrate positive human relation skills and effective communication skills.

Competencies

Necessary:

· A successful candidate must be highly organized, self-motivated and independent worker who is able to prioritize multiple projects at once

· Possess strong written and oral communication skills

· First-hand experience of successful grant writing and grants administration

· Must be able to perform research via libraries, internet, and government offices to define and coordinate financial resources.

· Must possess a good working knowledge of Microsoft Office, in particular Word, Excel, and Power Point.

· Must be able to travel throughout the multi-county P4P region to attend meetings.

· Ability to work evenings and weekends as essential job functions require.

· Demonstrated ability to solve problems.

APPLICATIONS will be reviewed beginning on December 15, 2008, or until an acceptable pool of applicants has been identified.

 Send letter of intent, resume, and transcripts to PA#489, Box 26, Kennedy Hall, Cornell University, 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

10/17/08

Fagan revisions