Ag in the Classroom Educator - Binghamton, NY

Cornell Cooperative Extension•New York, NY

6d•Onsite

About The Position

This position will serve as an Ag in the Classroom Educator for Cornell Cooperative Extension Association of Broome County. The role involves providing in-class programming at various school districts, focusing on lesson planning, preparation, and instruction. The programming aims to foster awareness, understanding, and appreciation of food and fiber production, consumption, and lifestyles. It will help teachers, students, and communities learn about and engage in agriculture, food systems, and the environment, with an emphasis on developing an understanding of careers in agriculture. The Educator will utilize established curriculum from the NYS Ag in the Classroom program, coordinate programming, foster relationships with community leaders, and work with school district leaders to expand and develop strong Ag in the Classroom programming.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in related field: Education, Agriculture, Horticulture and/or Animal Science or Equivalent Education (Associate’s Degree and two (2) years transferable program/functional 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

Coursework or experience in Education, Agriculture and teaching to a youth audience.
Experience with Cooperative Extension or other similar educational organizations.
Strong interpersonal skills with proven ability to work effectively with advisory boards and committees, community and funding partners.
Demonstrated ability to initiate, plan, organize, implement, teach, and evaluate informal educational programs.
Demonstrated ability to effectively participate in professional team efforts.
Demonstrated ability and willingness to work with diverse audiences and maintain cultural sensitivity.
Demonstrated 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.).
Demonstrated ability to identify and utilize program resources from the organization and the community.
Demonstrated ability to relate effectively to co-workers, advisors, community and professional leaders.
Demonstrated ability to plan and organize personal work responsibilities according to priorities developed with the immediate supervisor.
Proficiency with windows-based software including use of the internet and Microsoft Office Suite including Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Publisher, and Excel.

Responsibilities

Teach innovative Ag in the Classroom educational programs in local elementary schools.
Utilize a wide variety of proven educational methodologies in program delivery efforts.
Occasionally apply existing subject matter knowledge to create lesson plans necessary to deliver high-quality educational programming.
Serve as subject matter resource in programming area to staff and participants, community organizations and the general public.
Work to foster acceptance of the Ag in the Classroom Program, methods and policies while addressing community and individual needs and considering diverse audiences.
Teach a menu of educational Ag in the Classroom programs and activities in support of the established Plan of Work.
Provide Ag in the Classroom educational program efforts via mass media.
Serve as a team member and cooperate with the entire Association and Youth and Family Program staff to achieve Association program delivery goals.
Implement program evaluation as designed.
Implement student evaluation as designed.
Interact with program participants to obtain evaluation data.
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.
Work in cooperation with team members to help establish local program priorities and objectives for the Ag in the Classroom Program.
Assist the with planning the delivery of established Ag in the Classroom Program goals.
Assist in planning educational programs and program delivery initiatives in assigned programming areas.
Assist in planning program fund development activities as appropriate.
Assist the Associate Director and other 4-H Youth Development and Agriculture in the Classroom team members in planning major public events and programs, including the planning of mass media efforts related to upcoming events and programs.
Assist in performing moderately complex administrative tasks in solving problems and resolving conflicts within the program, in accordance with existing policies and procedures.
Assist Agricultural Resource Educator in monitoring the Ag in the Classroom Program to ensure the educational content conforms to research base and objectives of the Association.
Assist in monitoring program income and expenses to ensure spending is within the constraints of the program budget.
Support the allocation of financial resources to accomplish program objectives.
Assist Agricultural Resource Educator in managing Ag in the Classroom fund development activities.
Assist Agriculture in the Classroom Educators in organizing and coordinating all program activities related to Ag in the Classroom programming.
Assist Agriculture in Classroom Educators in coordinating program activities that foster community involvement and participation/support of community leaders in Ag in the Classroom programming efforts.
Effectively maintain professional relationships with other agencies, organizations and businesses that promote effective communication and facilitate continued programming efforts.
Assist Agriculture in the Classroom Educators in the coordination of effective marketing strategies in the promotion of programming efforts to include, but not limited to: print media, news media, social media, and multi-media efforts.
Collect evaluation data and program needs assessments from program participants based on existing evaluation framework and guidelines.
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.