4-H Youth Development Educator - Owego, NY

Cornell Cooperative Extension•New York, NY

2d•$50,000 - $62,500•Onsite

About The Position

This position will serve as the Youth Development Resource Educator for Cornell Cooperative Extension Association of Tioga County. Under the leadership and oversight of the Association Executive Director, the Youth Development Resource Educator will be the lead team member in developing, planning, implementing, managing, and evaluating the 4-H Youth Development education programming. This role is responsible for identifying and assessing educational program needs, developing program goals and objectives, and planning, developing, implementing, and evaluating educational programs for youth and adults who work with youth. The subject focus includes agriculture, science and technology, healthy lifestyles, life skills, workforce preparation, community service, and leadership. The position involves working as an Extension Association team member to address local, regional, and statewide programming priorities. Key responsibilities include coordinating administrative aspects of 4-H Youth Development, Family Development, and other youth-related programs, supervising program staff, grant management, and fundraising. The educator will collaborate with CCE Tioga Agriculture Educators to connect youth with farm activities and community agriculture engagement. This role provides guidance, direction, and support to program volunteers, utilizing existing policies, procedures, and best practices. The position also involves evaluating and analyzing program impact using various assessment tools, interpreting evaluation data, and using this data to guide future program offerings.

Requirements

Master’s Degree in Youth Development, Education, or related discipline.
Experience relevant to the role of the position.
Valid NYS Driver’s License and the ability to meet travel requirements associated with this position, including valid NYS driver’s license.
Ability to work flexible hours which may include evenings and/or weekends, as appropriate.
Ability to transport/move supplies and equipment, and climb stairs with or without reasonable accommodation.

Nice To Haves

Proficiency with windows-based software including use of the internet and Microsoft Office Suite including Outlook, Word, and Excel.
Ability to communicate effectively through verbal, written and visual channels using traditional methods and educational tools, as well as electronic technology (e.g., video, audio, computers, etc.).
Ability and willingness to work with a high degree of integrity, accuracy, organization, sound professional judgment, and the ability to handle confidential, sensitive information.
Experience with Cooperative Extension or other similar educational organizations.
Experience in guiding and collaborating with volunteers.
Experience in grant writing.
Ability to identify and develop volunteer leadership.
Strong interpersonal skills with proven ability to work effectively with advisory boards and committees, community and funding partners.
Ability to initiate, plan, organize, implement, teach, and evaluate informal educational programs.
Ability to effectively participate in professional team efforts.
Ability and willingness to work with diverse audiences and maintain cultural sensitivity.
Ability to identify and utilize program resources from the organization and the community.
Ability to relate effectively to co-workers, advisors, community and professional leaders.
Ability to plan and organize personal work responsibilities according to priorities developed with the immediate supervisor.

Responsibilities

Develop methodology to assess the Youth Development Program and ensure that program needs and strategic needs of the Association are being satisfied.
Ensure program assessment is aligned with the statewide Plan of Work and the Association Plan of Work.
Develop program needs assessment.
Use subject matter knowledge to conduct youth, parent, leader, and community-based needs assessments.
Assess 4-H Youth Development needs for community club and independent members, and for children and youth in the Association’s after-school programs, taking note of traditional as well as emerging opportunities, especially in animal sciences, STEM, public speaking, and leadership.
Apply subject matter knowledge to identify program gaps and emerging needs and make recommendations for programmatic offerings, enhancements or improvements.
Apply subject matter knowledge to develop educational strategies to meet identified needs and diverse interests of participants and volunteers within the scope of the statewide and Association Plan of Work.
Utilize advisory committees to ensure that stakeholders are engaged in the program development process.
Develop educational programs, materials and activities to meet identified needs and to carry out program priorities and goals.
Select, adapt, and utilize curricula from approved CCE sources or apply in-depth knowledge to create curricula as needed.
Create innovative educational programs to meet changing local needs.
Structure programs to meet the need of diverse program participants and meet changing local and/or regional issues.
Make programmatic changes based on program evaluation outcomes.
Maintain linkages with Cornell faculty and other subject matter specialists for guidance in program development, particularly in agricultural, STEM, and afterschool program initiatives.
Apply in-depth subject matter expertise to create innovative lessons plans, and identify activities and resources necessary to implement initiatives and projects within the scope of the statewide and Association Plan of Work.
Foster acceptance of program, methods, and policies to address community and individual needs and consider diverse audiences.
Deliver high quality 4-H Youth Development educational programs and events that address local, regional and statewide 4-H Youth Development programming priorities. Events and programs may require involvement of volunteers.
Provide leadership and assist in special projects including, but not limited to: 4-H Leader trainings, County and State Fair, 4-H Fundraising, enrollment campaign, Public Presentations, Workshops/Camps, and other Extension Association activities as assigned.
Deliver volunteer trainings, including but not limited to presentations, workshops, seminars, conferences, individual consultations, electronic and digital media in support of program delivery.
Evaluate and utilize a variety of educational methods which may include direct teaching, group experiences, media, newsletters, electronic technology, internet, and distance learning to deliver program.
Provide educational program efforts via mass media including contributing articles to 4-H newsletter, utilizing emails, phone messages, website and social media postings.
Serve as subject matter expert to staff, clientele, volunteers, and other groups as identified.
Maintain linkages with Cornell subject matter specialists for program delivery guidance.
Interact with program participants representing CCE in a professional manner at all times.
Represent CCE and 4-H Youth Development before the public, community leaders, government officials, Cornell or other land grant universities in a professional manner as part of program delivery.
Develop program evaluation framework and tools based on subject matter knowledge within scope of the statewide and Association Plan of Work.
Apply subject matter knowledge to evaluate educational program.
Interact with program participants, Association staff, program committees, county/community leaders, and other key stakeholders to collect evaluation data for improving programs.
Analyze and interpret collected program evaluation data and communicate results and findings.
Recommend changes to strengthen and improve programs.
Communicate social and economic changes to Cornell University specialists that may be studied and/or acted upon.
Ensure applied research is within scope of the statewide and Association Plan of Work.
Assist in conducting applied research in conjunction with Land Grant University Faculty as outlined in CCE program definition and standards.
Assist in the collaboration with Cornell faculty to design or create applied research collection framework.
Provide complex administrative tasks to support the planning of educational programs by interpreting Association and Cornell program direction.
Develop effective working relationships with Cornell faculty and administration, appropriate County departments, elected officials, local community leaders and organizations, keeping these individuals and groups informed of 4-H Youth Development programming goals, efforts and impacts.
Develop educational strategies to meet the needs of youth enrolled in after-school programs, 4-H community clubs, and special interest groups; focusing on STEM, public speaking and leadership development, community engagement, dairy, other animal and non-animal project and expertise.
Seek opportunities for program engagement with Cornell statewide programs.
Provide recommendations to the Executive Director in the planning of a department budget.
Plan strategic marketing communications for the 4-H program, including: after-school programs, STEM, community clubs, special projects, new and established 4-H initiatives program and its components.
Plan fundraising and volunteer recruitment strategies to support the program.
Assist with development of grant or other funding proposals in order to secure ongoing or new funding to support and enhance educational program offerings.
Assist in developing and/or enhancing/expanding relationships with appropriate agencies, organizations, industries and community leaders for the program.
May assist in the design of a system of ongoing involvement of citizens which expresses the demographics of the community.
Assist supervisor in administrative and program management activities, as assigned.
Assist in solving problems and resolving conflicts that arise within the 4-H Youth Development and Family Development programs utilizing appropriate policies and procedures.
Monitor program to ensure that educational content conforms to research base, policies and objectives of the Association and is research knowledge-based.
Provide management (including recruitment and selection) and supervision (including guidance, performance feedback and annual performance reviews) to designated staff and oversight to volunteers in accordance with established policies, procedures and protocol, and provide regular staffing updates to the Executive Director as required.
Oversee the management of educational strategies to meet the needs of the identified objectives 4-H Youth Development program.
Oversee the management of educational strategies to meet the needs of the identified objectives of the Family Development program.
Effectively manage financial resources to accomplish program objectives. Assist with identifying ways to reduce costs and maximize existing resources within the Association.
Monitor the program operating income and expenses to ensure the program is within budget. Seek guidance from the Executive Director for identifying and managing operating variances.
Guide the implementation of communication strategies that relate to the 4-H Youth Development and Family Development programs.
Manage multiple educational events for the County 4-H Fair and NYS Fair and work collaboratively with the Fair Committee, connecting with the general public to promote 4-H.
Participate in 4-H volunteer recruitment and development in various venues throughout the county.
Ensure volunteer direction and management procedures are followed according to established policies and procedures (VIP) by providing guidance, leadership and resources for volunteers and volunteer leaders including recruitment, screening, orientation, training, evaluation, and management.
Provide administrative support for program design and for the implementation of the assessment, development, delivery, research and evaluation of established educational program goals.
Maintain and prepare teaching materials necessary for 4-H Youth Development programs applying existing subject matter knowledge.
Assist in coordinating the program implementation, planning and activities efforts.
Collect evaluation and program needs assessment data from program participants based on existing framework.
Represent the 4-H program and Association at community functions and meetings or as requested.
Serve as staff liaison to Volunteers and Volunteer Leaders within the County as well as a variety of 4-H volunteer committees (Fair Committee (Agricultural Society), Leaders’ Association, Program Development Committees, etc.) and others as appropriate.
Serve as the primary staff contact for the County 4-H Fair and NYS Fair, which includes coordinating marketing and promotion, facilitating fundraising efforts, working collaboratively with the Fair Committee, and connecting with the general public to promote 4-H.
Submit appropriate grant or other funding proposals, including financial documentation that may be required.
Maintain communication with constituents and the community through variety of methods such as newsletters, e-mails, electronic technology, internet, social media, website postings and content.
Coordinate marketing and promotion of 4-H Youth Development and Family Development through public relation initiatives and networking/collaborating with government, economic, educational and other organizations.
Provide information as requested to assist with preparation of reports, impact statements, and success stories on program progress and accomplishments for funders, advisory committees, Board and others as necessary.
This position may require the transport of program participants and/or program materials and resources in performing position responsibilities.
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.
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.