CCE of Warren County Community Horticulture Coordinator – Warrensburg, NY

The Community Horticulture Coordinator is responsible for the Master Gardener (MG) Volunteer and related programs for Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) of Warren County. The Coordinator works with volunteers and the supervisor to coordinate and deliver educational programs on topics like gardening and horticulture, plant sales, soils, invasive species, ticks and tick-borne diseases, small-scale farming, youth gardening, and more. The Coordinator also collaborates with other teams and experts to deliver educational programs and training.
This position helps build and maintain positive relationships with MG volunteers, remaining current on emerging horticulture issues serving as a subject matter resource for constituent audiences. This is a “hands on” position with no task too big or too small to handle, helping to ensure constituents value the support and resources as part of the vital work of CCE.

    

Application Instructions

In the My Information section be sure to enter your full name, address, email, and phone number(s).  

Include a cover letter, resume and at least three references (at least one who is a current or former supervisor or teacher).  To attach documents, under the My Experience section use the Select Files button to search for files or use the Drop Files Here box to drag documents into your application. If you plan to upload more than one document, click the Upload icon for each additional document. Please note, once your application is submitted you will not be able to change your submission or add attachments.  If you would like to add or update documents to your online application after submission, please contact Jim McNaughton, Association Lead Human Resources Manager, via e-mail [email protected] .

External Applicants: (including current employees of other Cornell Cooperative Extension Associations) please refer to Applying for a Job with Cornell Cooperative Extension (External Candidate) for additional guidance.  

All Internal Applicants: Those who are currently employed by the Cornell Cooperative Extension Association indicated in this job posting must apply online via their employee Workday account, which may be accessed here: http://workday.cornell.edu/

Apply By

All applications must be received on-line by 11:59 pm on April 21, 2023. Position closing dates may change based on Association needs.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree. Associates degree plus 2 yrs. transferrable program/functional experience may substitute for a Bachelor’s degree.

• Experience relevant to the role of the position.

• Commitment to helping ensure diverse, equitable, and inclusive programs.

• Ability to meet the frequent travel requirements associated with this position. A valid NYS driver's license with the ability to drive and driving record acceptable for Association insurance coverage are required.

• Ability to work flexible hours which may include evenings and/or weekends, as appropriate

• Program Skills: Ability to effectively manage, coordinate, and deliver assigned programs. Ability to serve as an effective subject matter resource, assist with budgets, grants, and fundraising. Ability to recruit, engage, and motivate volunteers and program participants. Maintain confidentiality. Effectively participate in professional team efforts.

• Communication & Marketing Skills: Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing.  Ability to effectively market programs through social, print and other media, resulting in robust program participation.

• Technology Skills: Ability to learn and effectively use software including use of the internet, program related software, and Microsoft Office Suite including Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Publisher, and Excel.  Ability to adapt quickly to new technologies, including for virtual programming.

• Work Environment: In addition to the Working Conditions; the work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions. This position works in a typical office environment. In addition, the position frequently lifts, moves, or transports program related materials and equipment.  The position regularly works in garden and outdoor weather conditions including extreme heat, precipitation and cold – especially during the gardening seasons. This position regularly performs or demonstrates gardening and horticulture techniques during the gardening season.

Preferred Qualifications

• Degree, coursework, or experience in horticulture, annuals, perennials, and woody ornamentals, gardening, growing vegetables, plant pathology, entomology, landscaping, gardening, invasive species, Integrated Pest Management, small or beginning farms, ticks and tick borne diseases.

Position Responsibilities & Essential Functions

Program Responsibilities:

Program Delivery – 10%

• Deliver existing programs on topics like gardening and horticulture, plant sales, soils, invasive species, ticks and tick-borne diseases, small-scale farming, youth gardening, and more.

• Perform/demonstrate horticulture/gardening techniques for targeted audiences to help foster acceptance of community horticulture program.

• Serve as a subject matter resource, answer questions.

• Interact and communicate with program participants and volunteers in a variety of ways including face-to-face, e-mail, telephone, and social media in order to answer questions, facilitate learning and develop and maintain good rapport.

• Train volunteers on subject matter and provide professional development for existing volunteers.

• Help make connections to Cornell faculty, Regional Cornell Teams (i.e., Eastern NY Commercial Horticulture Team, etc.), local organizations, and partner agencies.

• Represent CCE before the public, community leaders, government officials, Cornell or other land grant universities in a professional manner as part of program delivery.

• Assist in ensuring that program deliverables are met and are within scope of the Community Horticulture plan of work.

Administrative Responsibilities:

Direction –5%

• Assists the supervisor with planning programs, events, data, reports, marketing, fundraising efforts, and budgets.

Management – 10%

• Assists the supervisor in managing programs, events, data, reports, marketing, fundraising efforts, and budgets.

• Solve problems and resolve conflicts using appropriate policies and procedures.

• Support the management of volunteers including recruitment, involvement, and helping to ensure the program adheres to Volunteer Involvement Policy including training and annual reporting in collaboration with Cornell. Responsibilities include recruiting, interviewing, and selecting volunteers; mentoring and appraising performance; recognizing and disciplining volunteers; addressing complaints and resolving problems. Help assure positive volunteer and public relations.

• Coordinate MG volunteer involvement in soil test clinics, demonstration gardens, farmers markets, speaker’s bureau programs, and regional flower show.

• Assures adequate phone coverage for MGV hotline.

• Lead and facilitate Master Gardener Advisory Board meetings.

Coordination/Operation – 70%

• Coordinate assigned projects, programs, trainings, meetings, events, budgets, and fundraising efforts. Programs include but are not limited to the annual plant sale, Warren County Youth Fair, Master Gardener trainings, invasive species, native plants, and other gardening programs, educational school gardens, and greenhouse tours.

• Coordinate logistics, promotion, registration, delivery, evaluation, and partner/speaker engagement for virtual, in-person, and multimedia programming.  

• Compile and refine existing resources (publications, factsheets, inventory documents, assessments, online tools, management plans, etc.).

• Maintain professional relationships with colleagues, partners, agencies, organizations, schools, and local governments.

• Recruit participants, partners, organizations, schools, and others for events and robust program participation.

• Draft standard and non­standard communications for education including articles, letters, reports, press releases, impact statements, blogs, websites, and social media posts.

• Maintain confidentiality of information regarding all program participants and MG volunteers.

• Track and record volunteer activity; maintain Master Gardener database.

• Collect and compile data for the program including program evaluations, reports, volunteer lists, and other relevant information.

• Report/submit program related expenses and income according to established Association policies.

• Maintain program tools and equipment.

Professional Improvement – 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 with 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.

Aware of, and adheres to, established Cornell Cooperative Extension Association of Warren County policies, procedures and Cornell Cooperative Extension Skills for Success.

Contribute to the overall success of the organization by performing all assigned duties in a professional, timely and accurate manner.

Position Details

This is a part-time (30 hours/week), nonexempt position. Compensation paid at the rate of $22.00 per hour. Excellent benefits, based on eligibility, including:

• Paid Vacation, Sick, and Personal leave

• Paid Holidays

• NYS Health Insurance Program (including free Dental Insurance)

• NYS Retirement (NYSERS)

• Long-Term Disability Insurance

• Total Care Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

• Tax Deferred Annuity Plan

• Flexible Spending Accounts

• Group Universal Life Insurance

• Personal Accidental Insurance

• Legal Plan Insurance

• Long Term Care Insurance

• Auto and Homeowner’s Insurance

• Pet Insurance

• New York’s College Savings Program

• ClearPoint Credit Counseling Solutions

No relocation or VISA Sponsorship available.

For additional questions please contact Jim McNaughton, Association Lead Human Resources Manager, e-mail [email protected] or phone (518) 765-3503.

https://warren.cce.cornell.edu/

  

Job Title:

Association Program Coordinator II

Level:

004

Pay Rate Type:

Hourly

Company:

Contract College

Contact Name:

Jim McNaughton

Number of Openings:

1

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.