Agriculture and Local Food Team Leader - Lewis, NY

This position will serve as the Agriculture and Local Food Team Leader for Cornell Cooperative Extension Association of Essex County and will provide leadership and management in program development, implementation, and evaluation of innovative education programs in Agriculture and Local Food. This position will work directly with farmers, farmland owners, and food producers to develop strong relationships within the agricultural community as well as within the Association by working closely with the Association Executive Director. This position will collaborate with the Association Community Vitality Team Leader to fulfill agriculture, local food, and workforce development programming. This position will implement the Essex County Farmland Protection and Food System Plan and work closely with the Adirondack Harvest program. This position is responsible for administrative and programmatic supervision of staff, budget development, and effective management of resources.

    

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS:
PLEASE READ BEFORE APPLYING

All applicants must apply online to be considered for this position. All applicants must complete an online application, which includes: cover letter, resume and three (3) references. Applications will be reviewed as they are received and position will remain open until filled.

All External Applicants (including applicants currently employed by Cornell Cooperative Extension in Associations other than the Association advertising this career opportunity) must submit his/her application materials via the "APPLY" button located within this job posting.

All Internal Applicants (current employees working for the Association advertising this career opportunity) must apply online via his/her Workday account, which may be accessed here: http://workday.cornell.edu/ . 

Please contact Laurie Davis, Association Sr. Administrator at 518-962-4810 with questions. 

POSITION DETAILS:

This position is a full-time exempt position - 100% FTE. The annual salary for this position is $58,000.00 to $62,000.00 commensurate with experience. This position, based on eligibility, offers a comprehensive benefit package, to include: health and dental insurance, retirement, vacation, sick and personal leave.

POSITION INFORMATION:

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree.
• Two (2) years volunteer or related work experience.
• Valid New York State Driver’s License and the ability to meet travel requirements associated with this position.
• Ability to work flexible hours which may include evenings and/or weekends, as appropriate.
• Ability to meet the physical demands of the position which include but are not limited to the ability to lift and move 20-50 pounds.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated background in, experience with, and knowledge of commercial agriculture and local food systems.
• Demonstrated ability to implement, plan, organize, teach, and evaluate informal educational programs through a variety of delivery methods to reach individuals and groups.
• Demonstrated ability to function as a team member working with volunteers and staff.
• Demonstrated ability to provide leadership, supervision, and guidance to staff and volunteers.
• Demonstrated ability to delegate responsibilities and manage staff and programs.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and participate effectively in professional team efforts across the region.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise and develop a team of individuals, utilizing skills in organizing, motivation and communication.
• Demonstrated ability to identify, utilize and manage budgets and resources, and to write proposals for funding.
• Demonstrated ability to relate to and engage with diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively through oral, written and visual means.
• Demonstrated ability to utilize computer technologies for educational and communication purposes.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:

Program Responsibilities:

Assessment - 10%

• Lead the application of subject matter knowledge to identify gaps and trends in the community.
• Lead the development of program needs assessment.
• Make recommendations for new programs or improvements to existing programs.
• Maintain direct linkage with Cornell University faculty and program units and other Land Grant Universities as appropriate, for guidance with program assessment.
• Ensure program assessment is within the scope of the statewide Plan of Work.
• Participate in multi-association team efforts related to program assessment as appropriate.

Development - 10%

• Lead the strategic application of subject matter knowledge to develop educational strategies for the Agriculture and Local Food program area.
• Meet in-person with and communicate regularly through email and social media with farmers, farmland owners and food producers.
• Lead the development of innovative Agriculture and Local Food educational programs and program materials to address individual clients’ needs.
• Research, identify, and select existing resources for the Agriculture and Local Food Program.
• Interpret University program direction to create educational Agriculture and Local Food programs.
• Develop programs to meet multi-association needs and changing priorities when identified/appropriate.
• Structure the Agriculture and Local Food programs to meet the diverse needs of the community and program participants.
• Plan for expansion of staff as indicated by Essex County farmers to support livestock, dairy, soil health, farm business management, agroforestry, and silvopasture needs.
• Develop/maintain Extension/Cornell University faculty connections for guidance with program development.
• Make program changes as needed based on evaluation outcomes.
• Use a system of ongoing involvement of citizens in the program development process which expresses the demographics of the community.
• Develop Agriculture and Local Food programs to address changing regional issues.

Delivery - 10%

• Maintain direct linkage with Cornell University faculty and program units and other Land Grant University faculty, as appropriate, for program delivery guidance.
• Occasionally teach existing educational programs with a high level of discretion.
• Evaluate and utilize a wide variety of proven educational methodologies in program delivery efforts.
• Lead the application of in-depth subject matter expertise to create lesson plans necessary to deliver high-quality educational programming.
• Represent Cornell Cooperative Extension before the public, community leaders, government officials, Cornell, and other land grant universities as a part of program delivery.
• Serve as subject matter expert in the area of Agriculture and Local Food to staff, participants, community organizations, and the general public.
• May be actively involved in multi-association team efforts and regional programming initiatives to deliver Agriculture and Local Food programming.
• Work to foster acceptance of the Agriculture and Local Food program, methods, and policies while addressing community and individual needs and considering diverse audiences.
• Provide educational programs via mass media as appropriate to audiences.
• Deliver educational programs as a part of multi-association efforts when identified/appropriate.
• Ensure program delivery efforts are within the scope of the statewide Plan of Work.
• Serve as a team member and cooperate with the entire Association to achieve Association program delivery goals.

Evaluation - 10%

• Lead the application of subject matter knowledge to evaluate Agriculture, Local Food, and Natural Resources Program offerings.
• Maintain direct linkage with Cornell University faculty & program units, and other Land Grant University faculty & program units for program evaluation guidance.
• Design/re-design or create program evaluation framework.
• May be involved in multidisciplinary and/or multi-Association team efforts to design or analyze program evaluation.
• Based on program parameters, interpret and analyze evaluation data.
• Communicate evaluation results and findings to the Executive Director and other constituents as appropriate.
• Ensure evaluation is within the scope of the statewide Plan of Work.

Applied Research - 5%

• Collaborate with the applied research process under the leadership of Cornell University faculty as outlined in CCE program definition and standard.
• May conduct applied research with the Cornell Willsboro Research Farm, the Northern NY Agriculture Development Program, or other entities.
• Collect and process diagnostic laboratory samples.
• Maintain direct linkage with Cornell University faculty and program units for guidance in applied research.
• May have direct linkage with other Land Grant University faculty and program units for guidance in applied research.
• Communicate social and economic changes to Cornell University specialists that may be studied and/or acted upon.
• Ensure applied research is within scope of the statewide Plan of Work.

Administrative Responsibilities:

Direction - 20%

• Provide leadership to Association Agriculture and Local Food programs.
• Work in cooperation with team members to help establish local Association priorities and objectives for the Agriculture and Local Food program area.
• Plan the delivery of established and new educational programs in the Agriculture and Local Food program area via various methods.
• Provide leadership for recruiting initiatives and events, recognition events, and other programs and program activities as identified.
• Anticipate or project expenses to develop a unit budget and propose the budget based on established financial guidelines and/or procedures.
• Assist the Executive Director in establishing financial strategies.
• Plan effective strategic external and internal program communications/marketing efforts.
• Assist the Executive Director in developing and/or enhancing relationships with  farm businesses, agencies, organizations, industries, and community leaders for purposes of programming efforts.

Management - 20%

• Identify and recommend Agriculture and Local Food needs to the Executive Director.
• Support relationship building between agriculture community, Association Executive Director and Association senior leadership team.
• Solve problems and resolve conflicts that arise in the Agriculture and Local Food program area utilizing appropriate policies and procedures within multiple program units.
• Review funding opportunities and prepare grant proposals in collaboration with Association staff and community partners.
• Monitor income/expenses to ensure that spending is within budget constraints.
• Manage allocation of resources within the Agriculture and Local Food programs’ established financial strategies.
• Manage compliance with established financial requirements, including grants and contracts. 
• Provide management (including recruitment and selection) and supervision (including guidance, performance feedback, and annual performance reviews) to designated staff in accordance with established policies, procedures, and protocol, and provide regular staffing updates to the Executive Director as required.

Coordination/Operation - 10%

• Work with Association staff to organize and coordinate all program activities related to Agriculture and Local Food.
• Work with Community Vitality Team Leader to fulfill workforce development programming related to Agriculture and Local Food.
• Meet with Agriculture staff from the North Country Region and report regional issues to the Executive Director.
• Implement the Essex County Farmland Protection Plan including:
  • Providing motivation, communicating with, monitoring outcomes, and convening meetings with all stakeholders.
  • Identifying opportunities to increase farm viability and profitability at all levels.
  • Increasing communication between farms and organizations that support and fund them.
  • Regularly reporting to the Executive Director, CCE Essex Board of Directors, and the Essex County Board of Supervisors in person or in writing as needed.
• Effectively maintain professional relationships with agencies, organizations, businesses and agriculture-related networks (including Adirondack Food System Network and Well-Fed Collaborative) and facilitate collaborative planning and programming efforts. 
• Work with Cornell faculty and CCE specialists and regional educators.
• Work with Harvest NY Regional Coordinator (farm to school/institution) and ENYCHP specialists (orchard management, fruit and vegetable management, food safety).
• Organize farm tours and other opportunities that combine social and educational support for farmers including Essex County Soil & Water Conservation District and other CCE Associations.
• Coordinate effective marketing strategies in the promotion of programming efforts to include, but not limited to: print media, news media, social media, and multi-media efforts.
• Obtain evaluation data and program needs assessments from program participants based on existing evaluation framework and guidelines.
• This position may require the transport of program participants and/or program materials and resources in performing position responsibilities.

Professional Improvement and Other Duties as Assigned - 5%

• In cooperation with Supervisor and/or Executive Director, jointly develop and pursue a professional development plan as a means to increase competencies relative to position accountabilities and to address changes and Association priorities.
• Collaborate in activities that are in general support of Cornell Cooperative Extension and perform other duties as assigned.

Health and Safety - Applied to all duties and functions.

• Support the association to maintain a safe working environment.
• Be familiar and strive to follow any applicable federal, state, local regulations, association health and safety policy/procedure/requirement and standard.
• Act proactively to prevent accidents/injuries and communicate hazards to supervisors when identified.

EEO/EPO and Policy - Applied to all duties and functions.

• Appreciate and embrace diversity in all interactions with clientele, staff, volunteers and the public.
• Assist the Cornell Cooperative Extension system in reaching out to diverse audiences.
• Be aware of, and adheres to, established Cornell Cooperative Extension Association of Essex County policies and procedures.
• Contribute to the overall success of the organization by performing all assigned duties in a professional, timely, and accurate manner.

Equal Opportunity Employment

Cornell Cooperative Extension is an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities.

  

Job Title:

Association Team Leader

Level:

002

Pay Rate Type:

Salary

Company:

Contract College

Contact Name:

Jerilynn Cross

Cornell Cooperative Extension is a collaboration among Cornell University, the United States Department of Agriculture, the State of New York, and the residents of New York State.  Per NYS Law, county and regional extension service associations are subordinate government agencies.  This employment opportunity is with the entities listed and not with Cornell University.

Cornell Cooperative Extension is an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities. Individuals who bring a diverse perspective and are supportive of diversity are strongly encouraged to apply.

Notice to Applicants: Please read the required Notice to Applicants statement . This notice contains important information about applying for a position at Cornell Cooperative Extension as well as some of your rights and responsibilities as an applicant.