Agriculture/Horticulture/Natural Resources Educator & Master Gardener Volunteer and Climate Steward Programs Coordinator - Plattsburgh, NY

This position will serve as the Agriculture/Horticulture/Natural Resources Educator for Cornell Cooperative Extension Association of Clinton County and will implement Agriculture/Horticulture/Natural Resources programming for a menu of existing educational programs and activities. This position will be responsible for the delivery of established agriculture programming and activities, both on-site and off-site in accordance with the Agriculture Program Area’s Plan of Work. This position will serve as the local connection for Regional Ag Specialists, enhancing the Association’s communication with the agriculture community as well as the general public in Clinton County. This position will perform on-site visits with individuals involved with all aspects of agriculture/horticulture/natural resources to familiarize individuals with existing programs and promote education programs of Cooperative Extension; refer questions to appropriate specialists within Cornell Cooperative Extension of Clinton County, regional specialists, the state-wide Extension System, or to other agencies as appropriate. This position will also coordinate assigned administrative aspects of the Agriculture/ Horticulture/Natural Resources programs and will assist the Regional Ag Specialists, Agriculture/Horticulture/Natural Resources Program Committee and Association Executive Director with marketing and efforts for Agriculture/Horticulture/Natural Resources Programming. Additional program topics, include, but are not limited to: Ag Energy, Climate & Climate Stewards, Ag in the Classroom (AITC), Ag Literacy, Forestry, Soil Health, Master Gardener Volunteers and working with program committee volunteers and maintaining connections with relevant agricultural, horticultural, and natural resource partners such as Farm Bureau, Miner Institute, SWCD, County Fair, local Emergency Response Teams, etc.
This position will serve as the Master Gardener Volunteer and Climate Steward Programs Coordinator for Cornell Cooperative Extension Association of Clinton County and will provide program coordination and support to the Master Gardener Volunteer Program. This position will organize and coordinate activities relating to the Horticulture Program; provide administrative assistance in the recruitment of new CCE-Clinton County Master Gardener Volunteer and Climate Stewards; assist in the coordination of beginning farmer, small-scale & community gardening and Master Gardener Volunteer and Climate Stewards Program fundraising, maintain regular communication with volunteers to ensure volunteer needs are met; and serve as an accessible resource to program volunteers, including assisting in providing orientation and ongoing support and follow-up, and to assist in ensuring initial and continued success. This position will utilize existing program resources and materials in program work and will assist in delivering educational programs as defined.

    

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS:
PLEASE READ BEFORE APPLYING

All applicants must apply online by close of day on May 31, 2024 to be considered for this position. All applicants must submit a complete application online, which includes: cover letter, resume and three (3) references.

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 the CCE Office at 518-561-7450 with questions. 

POSITION DETAILS:

This position is a full-time non-exempt position, 35 hours per week, 87.5% FTE. The hourly rate for this position is $20.00. This position, based on eligibility, offers a comprehensive benefit package, to include: health and dental insurance, NYS retirement, vacation, sick and personal leave.

POSITION INFORMATION:

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent education (Associate’s Degree and two (2) years transferrable program/functional experience.)
• Experience relevant to the role of the position.
• Valid NYS Driver 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.

                                                               

Preferred Qualifications:

• Coursework in plant and/or environmental science.
• Experience with Master Gardener Volunteer Program.
• Demonstrated understanding and familiarity with animal science, field crops, farm business management and/or other facets of agriculture production.
• Demonstrated understanding and familiarity with the agriculture community in the region.
• Demonstrated on-farm experience, especially working with livestock.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, 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 organize reference materials for programming purposes.
• Demonstrated ability to relate to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively through oral, written and visual means.
• Demonstrated ability to utilize computer technologies for educational and communication purposes.

Responsibilities/Essential Functions:

Program Responsibilities:

Delivery - 70%

• Utilize established program resources and materials in program work.
• Teach existing agriculture/horticulture/natural resources programming.
• Teach already-established agriculture/horticulture/natural resources educational programing and activities in support of other agriculture programming efforts as identified/needed to support the established Plan of Work.
• Teach already-established agriculture/horticulture/natural resources education programming and activities in a variety of delivery methods to include, but not limited to: farm visits, one-on-one sessions, group classes and workshops, social media, written communications, etc.
• Provide already-established information to local farmers and producers to include, but not limited to: farm tours, on-farm demonstrations, meetings, events, discussion groups, livestock producers, etc.
• Occasionally apply established subject matter knowledge to create lesson plans as identified.
• Provide agriculture educational programs via mass media.
• Work to foster acceptance of the agriculture/horticulture/natural resources program, methods and policies while addressing community and individual needs and considering diverse audiences.
• Serve as agriculture/horticulture/natural resources educator as needed at county fair or general 4-H programs.
• Serve as a team member and cooperate with the entire Association and Agriculture Program staff to achieve Association program delivery goals.

Evaluation - 10%

• Implement program evaluation as designed.
• Interact with program participants to obtain evaluation data.
• Assist Association Executive Director and Agriculture Program Committee in the process of analyzing program data, and based on that analysis, assist in making recommendations for improvements in program offerings.
• Communicate evaluation findings to constituents as appropriate.

Administrative Responsibilities:

Direction - 5%

• Assist in the planning of major public events and programs for the Agriculture/Horticulture/Natural Resources Program, including the Master Gardener Program.
• Assist in identifying opportunities for agriculture/horticulture/natural resources fund development activities.
• Assist the grant writing team in the writing and development of grant applications to secure funding for ongoing/expanded programming efforts.

Management - 5%

• Provide oversight to program volunteers in accordance with established practices and procedures including.
  • Assist with recruitment activities of new Master Gardener volunteers.
  • Serve as an accessible resource to volunteers by assisting with providing follow-up support to ensure initial and continued success.
  • Manage Master Gardener Volunteer hours.
• Assist Association Executive Director in identifying and recommending program needs (i.e. program supplies and materials).

Coordination/Operation - 5%

• Organize and coordinate activities related to agriculture/horticulture/natural resources programming.
• Provide administrative support for fund development activities as identified.
• Coordinate, compile and organize existing program resources and program materials.
• Assist in coordinating and utilizing 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 in support of public events and programming.
• Be the initial contact for horticulture walk-ins and phone calls and assist with daily walk-ins.
• Collect initial horticulture intake information so that proper information is collected/recorded.
• Prepare horticulture samples.
• Answer any routine questions directly.
• Compile articles and layout of the Natural Resources newsletter (not compose articles, but create the final product).
• Manager horticulture list serve for mass emails.
• Update website of upcoming events and/or resources loaded onto website.
• Maintain files so that information is up-to-date.
• Collect, prepare and conduct pH sampling.
• Assist Natural Resources Educator with administrative duties for event/program/presentation planning.
• Assist Natural Resources Educator with other ongoing duties such as shopping for needed materials, copying handouts, etc.
• Evaluate and report status of community gardens and raised beds.
• Assist with implementation of events and activities to include, but not limited to: Horticulture Bus Trips, Spring Garden Day and volunteer trainings to provide learning and growing experience for Clinton County Master Gardeners.
• Assist in providing volunteer orientation and training for Master Gardener Volunteers.
• Coordinate, and assist other Agriculture staff, with all aspects of the Master Gardener Program enrollment and reporting process.
• Coordinate Master Gardeners Program with school and community locations.
• Effectively maintain existing professional relationships with other agencies, organizations and businesses that promote effective communication and facilitate continued programming efforts. 
• 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 in programming and association priorities.
• Collaborate in activities that are in general support of Cornell Cooperative Extension including but not limited to attendance at staff meetings, timely reporting of expenses, working with other staff, general marketing of Extension programs and 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 adhere to, established Cornell Cooperative Extension Association of Clinton 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 Subject Educator I

Level:

004

Pay Rate Type:

Hourly

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.