Ag Community Educator- Oriskany, NY

Cornell Cooperative Extension•New York, NY

1d•Onsite

About The Position

This position will serve as the Ag Community Educator for Cornell Cooperative Extension Association of Oneida County and will be responsible for implementing agricultural education programming that addresses community needs and supports farm viability, workforce readiness, and sustainable agricultural practices. The educator will deliver programming in areas including crop and soil education, agronomy, soil health, pest management, agricultural career awareness, and workforce development. The position will conduct targeted outreach and provide education through a variety of methods, including workshops, classroom presentations, field visits, demonstrations, one-on-one assistance, newsletters, digital/media outreach, and other educational events. The educator will build and maintain relationships with farmers, schools, agricultural service providers, industry partners, and community organizations to strengthen agricultural education, career pathways, soil and crop programming, and support producers in Oneida County. The educator will also serve as a team member and collaborate with Association staff and partners to advance local, regional, and statewide priorities as appropriate.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, agricultural business, environmental science, or Associate’s degree and two years of transferable program/functional experience.
General knowledge of agriculture, including familiarity with crop and soil systems, agronomy, pest management, and agricultural workforce development.
Ability to effectively deliver related programs and trainings to youth and adult audiences.
Ability to effectively participate in professional team efforts, including frequent collaboration with staff and outside organizations.
Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing with community members and external employees.
Ability to work independently and with peers and groups.
Ability to effectively coordinate program efforts including data management and reporting, scheduling and coordinating programs and events, compiling and maintaining materials and resources, following financial reporting requirements.
Proficiency or ability to learn and effectively use software including use of the internet and Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel).
Demonstrated ability to function as a team member working with staff.
Ability to meet travel requirements associated with this position.
Ability to meet acceptable background check standards.
Must possess or have the ability to acquire a Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) certification and New York State Certified Pesticide Applicators License.
Ability to work flexible hours which may include evenings and/or weekends, as appropriate.
Ability to frequently move/transport supplies and equipment, including climbing stairs and/or in outdoor/agricultural settings with or without reasonable accommodations.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge and experience in working effectively in a non-formal education system, such as Cornell Cooperative Extension.
Knowledge of Oneida County agriculture, local producers, and community needs.
Knowledge and experience in working with various communities.
Experience working with school districts, BOCES, colleges, workforce agencies, agricultural service providers, and community partners.
Experience coordinating internships, apprenticeships, job shadowing, or other work-based learning opportunities.
Ability to identify, organize, and utilize program resources from the organization and the community.
Ability to initiate, plan, organize, implement, teach, and evaluate informal education programs through a variety of program delivery methods.
Ability to work with a high degree of integrity, accuracy, organization, sound professional judgment, and confidentiality.

Responsibilities

Implement agricultural education programming that addresses community needs and supports farm viability, workforce readiness, and sustainable agricultural practices.
Deliver programming in areas including crop and soil education, agronomy, soil health, pest management, agricultural career awareness, and workforce development.
Conduct targeted outreach and provide education through a variety of methods, including workshops, classroom presentations, field visits, demonstrations, one-on-one assistance, newsletters, digital/media outreach, and other educational events.
Build and maintain relationships with farmers, schools, agricultural service providers, industry partners, and community organizations to strengthen agricultural education, career pathways, soil and crop programming, and support producers in Oneida County.
Serve as a team member and collaborate with Association staff and partners to advance local, regional, and statewide priorities as appropriate.
Utilize Ag Strategic Plan, Farmland Protection Plan, and feedback from farmers to deliver educational programs to address community and individual needs.
Work alongside subject matter experts to deliver programs to address community and individual needs.
Deliver existing educational programs and develop or adapt lessons, educational materials, and resources in areas including crop and soil education, agronomy, pest management, soil health, agricultural career awareness, agricultural technology, and workforce development.
Provide education and training for new and existing farmers, including topics related to soil health, crop production, agronomy, pest management, regulatory compliance, and emerging issues affecting agriculture.
Deliver hands-on and audience-appropriate programming through a variety of methods, including workshops, demonstrations, classroom presentations, career fairs, field trips, farm visits, one-on-one assistance, newsletters, and digital/media outreach.
Facilitate career awareness and exploration activities, especially for youth in grades 7–12, and support agricultural career pathways through work-based learning opportunities and connections to industry partners.
Serve as a subject matter resource for staff, program participants, producers, schools, and community partners in areas related to crop and soil systems, agronomy, pest management, workforce development, agricultural career pathways, agricultural technology, and agricultural education.
Interact effectively with program participants to provide programming and support.
Represent CCE before the public, community leaders, government officials, Cornell, or other land grant universities in a professional manner as part of program delivery.
Engage producers, educators, agricultural service providers, schools, workforce agencies, and community organizations to ensure programming reflects local needs and opportunities.
Assist in ensuring that program delivery is within the scope of the Ag Strategic Plan, Farmland Protection Plan, and Association and statewide Plans of Work.
Recruit program participants, host sites, and partners for educational programs and work-based learning opportunities.
Coordinate with subject matter experts to coordinate programming to meet identified programmatic needs.
Coordinate, compile, and organize existing program resources and program materials.
Perform general coordination activities including attending staff meetings, working with other staff, and general marketing of Extension programs.
Provide data and information to assist with preparation of reports, impact statements, and success stories for funders, advisory committees, Board, and others as requested.
Assist in utilizing effective marketing strategies in the promotion of programming, such as with print media, news media, social media, radio, and multi-media efforts.
Complete data entry of participant information in agriculture database and submit program-related expense receipts in a timely manner following Association procedures.
Transport 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.
Participate in all required orientation, training, and/or in-service meetings and trainings as scheduled/required.
Pursue personal growth through expanding personal knowledge of the total organization and through updating techniques and technical skills relating to the position.
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 Cooperative Extension programs and other duties as assigned.
Maintain regular and predictable attendance and punctuality.
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.