Horticulture Educator and Greenhouse Manager - Malone, NY

This position will serve as the Horticulture Educator and Greenhouse Manager for Cornell Cooperative Extension Association of Franklin County and will implement Horticulture programming for a menu of existing Horticulture educational programs and program activities. This position will provide oversight and management of greenhouse and outdoor growing spaces at the offsite location of the partner organization. This position will implement already-existing educational programming to adults and youth in the areas of consumer and commercial horticulture. This position will be responsible for the delivery of established Horticulture programming to community groups, and will deliver other established Horticulture programming and activities, both on-site and off-site, in the community, in accordance with the Agriculture Program Area’s plan of work. This position will also coordinate administrative aspects of the Horticulture Program and will assist with marketing efforts for Horticulture programming. This position will coordinate the Master Gardener Program, including the training and oversight of Master Gardener Program Volunteers.

    

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS:
PLEASE READ BEFORE APPLYING

All applicants must apply online by close of day on April 20, 2023 to be considered for this position. All applicants must complete an 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 Lindsey Kelly, Office Manager at 518-483-7403 with questions. 

POSITION DETAILS:

This position is a full-time non-exempt position - 100% FTE, 35 hours per week. 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:

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent education (Associate’s Degree and two (2) years transferrable program/function experience).
• Experience relevant to the role of the position.
• 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 work in outdoor conditions and exposure to insects.
• Experience with managing others or volunteer management.
• Knowledge of Horticulture/Environmental Science.
• Demonstrated knowledge of greenhouse and outdoor growing space management.  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of horticulture, including floriculture, ornamentals, turf, and vegetables.
• Knowledge of pesticides and their use, including integrated pest management.
• Experience with website management or a willingness to learn.
• Knowledge in entomology or household/garden pests.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, teach and evaluate informal education programs through a variety of delivery methods to reach individuals and groups; adults and youth.
• Demonstrated ability to utilize program resources within the community.
• Demonstrated ability to management time and attention to detail.
• 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 in accessible ways.
• Demonstrated ability to utilize computer technologies for business, educational, and communication purposes.
• Willingness to expand programming.
• Ability to manage reporting and maintain proper filing methods.

Program Responsibilities:

Delivery - 70%

• Utilize established program resources and materials in program work to deliver educational programming.
• Implement already-established Horticulture educational programing and program activities in support of other Agriculture programming efforts as identified/needed to support the established plan of work.
• Implement already-established Master Gardener Programs .
• Provide existing information to bring awareness to the public in the form of impact statements, articles for progress/annual reports, and news releases, etc.
• Occasionally apply established subject matter knowledge to create lesson plans as identified.
• Under the direction and oversight of the Supervisor, adapt already established curriculum and materials as needed to meet established program objectives.
• Provide Horticulture educational programs via mass media.
• Respond to inquiries in the area of horticulture and provide established research based information in areas such as greenhouse management, outdoor garden management, insect control and identification, soil testing, etc.
• Work to foster acceptance of the Horticulture Program, methods and policies while addressing community and individual needs and considering diverse audiences.
• Serve as a subject-matter resource in the area of Horticulture to staff and participants, community organizations and the general public.
• Serve as a team member and cooperate with the entire Association and Agriculture Program staff to achieve Association program delivery goals. Work across subject areas to delivery diverse and wholistic programming.

Evaluation - 5%

• Implement program evaluation as designed.
• Interact with program participants to obtain evaluation data, to include: evaluating effectiveness of classes and instructors within program areas for all Horticulture Programs.
• Assist in the process of analyzing program data, and based on that analysis, assist in making recommendations for improvements in program offerings.
• Using provided resources and guidance from Supervisor, interpret soil test, develop and implement trials and provide plant/insect diagnostics to the Franklin County area.
• Communicate evaluation findings to constituents as appropriate.

Administrative Responsibilities:

Direction - 5%

• Provide input to assist in planning the delivery of established program goals.
• Provide input in planning the structure of delivering educational programs via various methods.
• Oversee the planning of indoor and outdoor growing spaces at the offsite location of the partner organization.

Management - 10%

• Assist in identifying and recommending program needs (i.e. program supplies and materials) to the Supervisor.
• Give guidance to volunteers and staff, including those performing similar work, as appropriate.
• Provide oversight to Master Gardener Program Volunteers. 
• Oversee the implementation of indoor and outdoor growing spaces at the offsite location of partner organization.

Coordination/Operation - 5%

• Organize and coordinate program activities related to Horticulture Programming (i.e. workshops, seminars, tours, consultations, community gardens and other community programs.)
• Coordinate identified administrative aspects of the Horticulture Program to include, but not limited to: preparing correspondence, maintaining files, etc.
• Coordinate, compile and organize existing program resources and program materials.
• Effectively maintain existing professional relationships with other agencies, organizations and businesses that promote effective communication and facilitate continued programming efforts. 
• Assist the Supervisor in utilizing effective marketing strategies in the promotion of Horticulture programming efforts to include, but not limited to: print media, news media, social media, and multi-media efforts.
• Maintain a library of reference materials for use by consumers and Master Gardener volunteers including videotapes, slide sets, horticultural catalogs, and books.
• Provide training to Master Gardener Program Volunteers. Create teaching aids as necessary.
• Provide administrative support for fund development activities as identified.
• 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 Franklin 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

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.