Farm to Preschool Coordinator - Oriskany, NY

Eat Well Play Hard in Child Care Settings (EWPHCCS) is a research-tested, multi-level obesity prevention intervention that focuses on improving the nutrition and physical activity behaviors of low-income families and their children enrolled in registered and licensed child day care programs. This intervention also addresses environmental changes to reduce childhood obesity by influencing the nutrition, mealtime and physical activity practices that encourage wellness and healthy lifestyles. An initiative of EWPHCCS is the Farm to Preschool initiative. The Farm to Preschool Coordinator will implement Farm to Preschool activities at several qualified childcare centers annually in low-income neighborhoods where access to fresh fruits and vegetables is limited. This initiative will support childcare centers to procure local foods to use at their centers and support family access to fresh local fruits and vegetables to address barriers to poor nutrition and food insecurity. Programming will take place throughout the New York Central Region and may include sites in St. Lawrence, Jefferson, Lewis, Oneida, Herkimer, Madison, Oswego, Onondaga, Cayuga, Cortland, Chenango, Tompkins, Tioga and Broome Counties. The individual will assist the supervisor with administrative direction and management.

    

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Nutrition, Public Health, Health Education, early childhood and/or community engagement or related field.  Associate’s Degree plus 2 years transferrable program/functional experience may substitute.

• Experience relevant to the role of the position.

• Ability to work independently.

• Ability to effectively participate in professional team efforts.

• Ability and willingness to work with diverse audiences and maintain cultural sensitivity.

• Ability to initiate, plan, organize, implement, teach and evaluate informal educational programs.

• 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:

• Registered Dietitian.

• Experience implementing policy, systems, and environmental strategies that support sustained healthy behavior changes.

• Knowledge of community resources and groups that effect change.

• Experience working with the target audience (limited resource) or courses in adult and youth education or other relevant work experience.

• Ability to understand and communicate CCE’s mission.

• Familiarity with the community in which the work will take place and ability to utilize program resources within the community.

• Ability to plan and organize personal work responsibilities according to priorities developed with immediate supervisor.

​Position Responsibilities and Essential Functions

Program Delivery - 70%

• Occasionally apply existing subject matter knowledge in food, nutrition, and food systems to deliver programming.

• Interact with program participants to foster an acceptance of the program with youth and adults, and specifically with students, parents, and center food service workers, their managers, and day care center administrators, and agricultural producers. 

• Serve as subject matter resource to staff, clientele and other groups as they are identified.

• Use a variety of proven educational methodologies appropriately with youth and adult audiences. 

• Teach the existing educational program as (EWPHCCS) defined for Farm to Preschool program components that includes gardening projects and classroom activities for hands on learning.

• Make locally grown produce available and accessible to parents and caregivers of children in care and/or facilitate the establishment of center-based systems by promoting the use of existing community-based farmers’ markets

• Facilitate center purchases and use of locally grown and/or Farm to Preschool garden produce in center meals and/or snacks

• Provide parent focused food demonstrations that teach how to select prepare and store local fruits and vegetables.

• Implement end of season wrap-up activities and facilitate center plans to sustain or expand the Farm to Preschool changes of onsite gardens, procurement of foods for the center and access to local foods through the promotion and coordination with existing community farmers’ markets.

• Represent Cornell Cooperative Extension before the public, community members, and government officials to deliver programming.

Program Evaluation - 5%

• Implement program evaluation as designed. 

• Interact with program participants, advisory committees, Cornell program specialists and faculty, county and community leaders to obtain evaluation data for programs. 

• Assist in the process of analyzing collected program data for reporting and program improvement purposes using standard, established policy, procedure and methods.  

• Assist with making recommendations for improvement/changes to strengthen and improve programmatic offerings.  

• Communicate evaluation results and findings to constituents as appropriate.

Administrative Direction - 5%

• Provide input to assist in planning the delivery of established program goals.

• Provide supervisor with program related information to assist the budget development process.

• Assist in planning mass media efforts to reach targeted Day Care Centers, community partners, Cornell faculty and staff, and others as appropriate to advance the EWPHCCS Program.   

Administrative Management - 5%

• Resolve issues that may arise in the program utilizing appropriate policies and procedures.

Administrative Coordination/Operation - 10%

• Collect program evaluation and program needs assessment data from program participants based on existing framework.

• Assist in the coordination of EWPHCCS activities and planning efforts.

• Coordinate marketing and promotion of EWPHCCS program with other organizations and agencies as appropriate.

• Coordinate, compile and organize existing program resources and program materials.

• Transport program materials and resources necessary for performing position responsibilities.

• Effectively maintain existing professional relationships with other agencies, organizations and businesses that promote effective communication and facilitate continued programming efforts.

• Prepare materials for report submission to meet funding agency requirements.

• Maintain extreme confidentiality of information participant information and data collected.

• Submit program expense and mileage reports in a timely manner.

• Coordinate with Child Care Site(s) for procurement of fresh produce for child care program meals/ snacks.

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 Oneida 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 full-time, benefits eligible, non-exempt position. Excellent benefits, based on eligibility, including:

• Paid Vacation, Sick, & Personal time

• Paid Holidays

• NYS Health Insurance Program (including FREE Dental Insurance)

• NYS Retirement

• Long-Term Disability Insurance

• Total Care Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

• Voluntary Tax Deferred Annuity Plan

• Voluntary Flexible Spending Accounts

• Voluntary Group Universal Life Insurance

• Voluntary Personal Accidental Insurance

• Voluntary Legal Plan Insurance

• Voluntary Long Term Care Insurance

• Voluntary Auto and Homeowner’s Insurance

• Voluntary Pet Insurance

• Voluntary New York’s College Savings Program

Please be sure to read the Notice to Applicants found on the Jobs with CCE page:

https://cals.cornell.edu/cornell-cooperative-extension/join-us/jobs

How To Apply:  Applicants (including current employees of other Cornell Cooperative Extension Associations) must apply online through the APPLY button in this job posting. Current employees of Cornell Cooperative Extension Oneida County are considered internal applicants and must apply online through their Workday account which may be accessed here: http://workday.cornell.edu/ .  For details on how to apply, visit: https://cals.cornell.edu/cornell-cooperative-extension/join-us/jobs/apply

Please submit resume, cover letter and references. Consider indicating in your application all information you feel would be helpful for selection committee members to know.   Once the application is submitted you will NOT be able to change your submission or add attachments. Be sure that you have followed all directions and requirements listed in the job posting. 

No relocation or VISA sponsorship available.

Please contact Lori North, HR Lead Manager, email [email protected]   with questions.

https://cceoneida.com  

​

  

Job Title:

Association Subject Educator I

Level:

004

Pay Rate Type:

Hourly

Company:

Contract College

Contact Name:

Lori North

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.