Agriculture Development Specialist - Auburn, NY

Cornell Cooperative Extension•New York, NY

4d•Onsite

About The Position

This position will serve as the Agriculture Development Specialist for Cornell Cooperative Extension Association of Cayuga County. The role involves assisting the Executive Director in developing, planning, implementing, and evaluating Agriculture education programs. These programs will cover areas such as dairy production, management, marketing, business development, and tourism. The primary audience includes agricultural producers, related service providers, new entrepreneurs in production, processing, and agriculture-related businesses (including agricultural tourism), and community members who support agriculture. The specialist will teach in group and individual settings using various methods like workshops, seminars, demonstrations, interest groups, newsletters, farm visits, and mass media. Projects will focus on enhancing local agriculture viability through product diversification, direct marketing, promotion of local product labels, and value-added opportunities, by collaborating with local and regional staff and Cornell University faculty. The position requires working with and coordinating various agriculture and community stakeholders. Responsibilities also include assisting in identifying and assessing educational program needs, developing program goals and objectives, and evaluating program offerings. The specialist will function as a team member addressing local, regional, and statewide programming priorities.

Requirements

Master’s Degree or Equivalent Education (Bachelor’s Degree and four (4) years transferrable relevant evidence-based research 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.

Nice To Haves

Experience related to agriculture and farming.
Experience with and knowledge of the challenges facing agriculture locally and in New York State.
Strong interpersonal skills with proven ability to work effectively with advisory boards and committees, community and funding partners.
Demonstrated ability to link industry and producer needs with available expertise and to apply expert information to local situations.
Demonstrated ability and willingness to work with a high degree of integrity, accuracy, organization, sound professional judgment, and the ability to handle confidential, sensitive information.
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 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.
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, clearly, and tactfully through verbal, written and electronic methods.
Proficiency with windows-based software including use of the internet and Microsoft Office Suite including Outlook, Word, and Excel.

Responsibilities

Assist in the development of Agriculture educational programming, materials and activities to meet identified needs, goals and objectives within the county.
Assist in the development of Agriculture educational programs, activities and materials to enhance local and regional agriculture understanding and connection to consumers in identified areas of program concentration.
Assist in structuring programs to meet the need of diverse program participants and meet changing local and/or regional issues.
Assist in making programmatic changes based on program evaluation outcomes.
Assist in maintaining linkages with Cornell faculty and other subject matter specialists for guidance in program development.
Assist in the research, identify and select existing resources for the program.
Assist in ensuring program development is within scope of the local and statewide Plans of Work.
Assist in using a system of ongoing involvement of citizens including an active advisory committee and/or community stakeholder in the program development process which expresses the demographics of the community.
Deliver Agriculture educational programming, and create linkages between food consumers and agricultural producers.
Implement educational programs through workshops, seminars, demonstrations, interest groups, newsletters, farm visits, mass media and agri-business contacts utilizing established resources and per established program parameters, and apply existing subject matter knowledge to create lesson plans to deliver these educational programs as appropriate.
Interact with farmers and business owners in a positive manner, helping them meet their desired goals.
Deliver educational programs as a part of multi-association and/or regional efforts when identified/appropriate.
Represent Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cayuga County in a professional manner and communicate and cooperate with the public, agribusinesses, veterinarians, feed dealers, government officials, community leaders, Cornell and/or other land grant universities as a part of program delivery.
Utilize a variety of educational methods which may include direct teaching, group experiences, media, newsletters, electronic technology, internet, social media, Facebook, and distance learning to promote and deliver programs.
Serve as subject matter resource in the area of Agriculture to connect staff and clientele, including schools, agencies, producers, consumers, and other groups (as identified) with relevant agricultural resources to enhance and improve Agriculture awareness.
Serve as a team member and cooperate with the entire Association and the Agriculture Program staff to achieve Association program delivery goals.
Implement program evaluation as designed.
Assist in the development of program evaluation framework and tools based on subject matter knowledge to measure program impacts and gain input/insight for continuous improvement.
Interact with program participants, the community, Cornell faculty, and staff to collect evaluation data for improving programs.
Assist in analyzing and evaluating collected program evaluation data and communicate results and findings.
Assist in recommending program changes to strengthen and improve programs.
Collect and/or evaluate field samples related to the educational program and/or for applied research project(s) conducted in partnership with Cornell University faculty.
Assist in ensuing applied research is within scope of the statewide and Association Plan of Work.
Assist in maintaining direct linkage with Cornell University faculty and program units for guidance in applied research.
Assist in determining Association program priorities and goals in consultation and collaboration with Program Committee(s), community agencies, and/or other stakeholders.
Assist in planning the delivery of short and long-term education programs surrounding agricultural business development and marketing using a variety of methods in the area based on association plan of work and community needs.
Assist the Association Executive Director in establishing an active Agriculture Program Advisory Committee with a wide representation of community members to create program goals.
Provide input to the Executive Director for the planning of the program budget.
Assist with development of marketing and promotion of agricultural resources through public relation initiatives and networking/collaborating with government, economic, educational and agricultural organizations.
Assist in initiating and developing grant or other funding proposals in order to secure ongoing or new funding to support and enhance educational program offerings.
Assist in identifying, developing, and securing community and fiscal resources for program continuance and enhancement, including grant funds for program development and expansion.
Assist in developing and/or enhancing/expanding relationships with appropriate agencies, organizations, industries and community leaders for the program.
Complete an annual Implementation Plan as well as Outreach Plan for the Executive Director to review.
Manage administrative and program activities, as required.
Assist in solving problems and resolving conflicts that arise within the program utilizing appropriate policies and procedures.
Give guidance to volunteers and staff, including those performing similar work.
Manage and allocate program resources needed to carry out program priorities and goals in consultation and collaboration with Supervisor, Program Committee(s), community agencies, and/or other stakeholders.
Assist in monitoring program to ensure compliance with policies and objectives of the Association, funding requirements, and adherence to Association strategies/Plan of Work.
Effectively manage and allocate financial resources to accomplish program objectives.
Assist with identifying ways to reduce costs and maximize existing resources within the Association.
Maintain communication with constituents and the community through variety of methods such as newsletters, e-mails, social media, website postings and content.
Represent Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cayuga County on local Agriculture committees/boards, etc. as appropriate.
Coordinate marketing and promotion of agricultural resources through public relation initiatives and networking/collaborating with government, economic, educational and agricultural organizations.
Coordinate meetings and events in assigned program areas.
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.
Submit appropriate grant or other funding proposals, including financial documentation that may be required.
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.