4-H & Local Food Educator - Westport, NY

Cornell Cooperative Extension•New York, NY

1d•Onsite

About The Position

This position will serve as the 4-H & Local Food Educator for Cornell Cooperative Extension Association of Essex County. The role involves delivering existing educational programming to youth within the Local Food program and the 4-H Positive Youth Development program, as well as direct 4-H volunteer efforts. The Educator will work closely with the Community Vitality Program Team to expand program areas, potentially including animal husbandry, Agriculture in the Classroom, STEAM, local foods, and community wellness. Program delivery will occur during regular office hours, evenings, weekends, and after-school and summer programs. The position will utilize existing resources to facilitate 4-H and local food education programs.

Requirements

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

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with 4-H club structure, Agriculture in the Classroom, STEAM, youth wellness programs, animal husbandry, and show presence at county/state agricultural fairs.
Familiarity with local foods and farms.
Demonstrated ability to function as a team member working with volunteers and staff.
Demonstrated ability to recruit, organize and support volunteers.
Demonstrated ability to organize reference materials for programming purposes.
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively through oral, written, and visual means.
Demonstrated ability to utilize computer technologies for educational and communication purposes.
Demonstrated ability to plan for and lead large community events.
Demonstrated ability to utilize program resources within the community.
Demonstrated ability to plan, teach and evaluate informal education programs through a variety of program delivery methods to reach individuals and groups, including adults and youth.
Demonstrated ability to relate to diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

Utilize established program resources and materials in program work.
Implement already-established 4-H and local food educational programs and activities.
Assist in providing existing information to bring awareness to the public in the form of impact statements, articles for progress/annual reports, and news releases.
Occasionally apply established subject matter knowledge to create lesson plans as identified.
Adapt already established curriculum and materials as needed to meet established program objectives.
Provide 4-H, youth mentoring and local food educational programs via various delivery methods including on and off-site gatherings and virtual sessions.
Work to foster acceptance of the Local Food and 4-H Positive Youth Development Programs and their methods and policies while addressing community and individual needs and considering diverse audiences.
Assist Association staff with multi-association team efforts in the implementation of multi-disciplinary programs and program activities.
Serve as a team member and cooperate with the entire Association to achieve program delivery goals.
Implement program evaluation as designed.
Interact with program participants to obtain evaluation data, to include evaluating effectiveness of classes and instructors for all 4-H and local food programs.
Assist 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.
Assist in the planning and promotion of major public events and programs including but not limited to: assisting with mass media efforts related to upcoming events and programs.
Assist with multi-association team efforts in the planning of multi-disciplinary programs and program activities.
Assist in identifying and recommending program needs (i.e. program supplies and materials).
Recruit and provide orientation to 4-H Volunteers.
Provide oversight to 4-H Volunteers.
Provide training to 4-H Volunteers.
Coordinate identified administrative aspects of the Local Food and 4-H Positive Youth Development Programs 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 in utilizing effective marketing strategies in the promotion of 4-H and local food programming efforts including but not limited to: print media, news media, social media, and multi-media efforts.
Transport of program participants and/or program materials and resources in performing position responsibilities.
Appreciate and embrace all interactions with clientele, staff, volunteers and the public.
Assist the Cornell Cooperative Extension system in reaching out to all audiences.
Be aware of, and adhere 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.
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.
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.