Agriculture Program Assistant - East Syracuse, NY

Cornell Cooperative Extension•New York, NY

8d•$18 - $20•Hybrid

About The Position

This position will serve as the Agriculture Program Assistant for Cornell Cooperative Extension Association of Onondaga County and will assist in program communication, implementation, and coordination of the Agriculture program within Onondaga County. Under the Team Leader's oversight, this position will implement, and communicate programming for a menu of Agriculture programs and program activities. This position requires a strong skillset in Communications and will utilize a variety of educational delivery methods, both on-site and off-site to include, but not limited to: direct teaching, group experiences, media, newsletters, electronic technology, internet, distance learning, workshops, and forums. The Program Assistant will communicate with and provide agricultural producers and industry representatives with the knowledge and educational resources to enhance their profitability and sustain the growth of the agricultural industry in Onondaga County. This position will assist in the Onondaga County Youth Dairy Show, annual food preservation workshops, and K-12 educational events. This position will be responsible for communicating with farms and organizing educators and volunteers for the 5th Grade Dairy Day and the Onondaga County ON Farm Fest Program.

Requirements

Associate’s Degree or equivalent education (High School Diploma/GED and one (1) year of transferrable program/functional experience).
Experience relevant to the role of the position including demonstrated experience with communications
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.
Ability to communicate effectively through oral, written, and visual means in accessible ways.
Demonstrated ability and willingness to build relationships and work with diverse audiences, environments and settings while maintaining cultural competency.
Ability to work and communicate remotely (including but not limited to: phone, email, and video conferencing), if deemed necessary.
Able to access high-speed internet from home.
Demonstrated ability to work with Microsoft Office Suite on data records maintained by the association.
Demonstrated ability to utilize Microsoft Outlook to create and manage contact lists, tasks and events.
Able to meet and build relationships in the agriculture community and related businesses.
Able to arrange for meeting facilities.
Able to conduct virtual meetings.
Able to access programming needs for the agriculture community.
Able to follow through with tasks.

Nice To Haves

Degree focus in agriculture, agricultural business, agriculture economics, or related discipline.
Knowledge and experience in a non-formal education system, such as Cornell Cooperative Extension.
Spanish speaking skills preferred.
Demonstrated ability to plan, teach and evaluate informal educational programs through a variety of delivery methods to reach individuals and groups for both youth and adults.
Demonstrated ability to manage time and attention to detail.
Demonstrated ability to function as a team member working with volunteers and staff.
Demonstrated ability to organize reference materials for programming purposes.
Experience working independently, as well as an effective team member.
Demonstrated ability to work in a variety of settings, including outdoors.
Demonstrated initiative, reliability and dependability.
Demonstrated ability to plan and organize personal work responsibilities according to priorities developed with immediate supervisor.
Demonstrated ability to utilize technologies for educational and communication purposes.

Responsibilities

Serve as hub for Onondaga County Ag Community, cultivate relationships, and address needs.
Teach existing educational programs as defined.
Serve as subject matter resource in the area of Agriculture to residents, producers, entrepreneurs, farm and agricultural businesses, regional and county-based organizations, governmental departments and agencies, and other groups served by the Association.
Work to foster acceptance of the Agriculture program, methods and policies while addressing community and individual needs and considering diverse audiences.
Assist in providing educational program efforts via mass media.
Implement and facilitate Agriculture programming and activities.
Provide information and assistance via site visits to county residents and targeted audiences to help build new and strengthen existing agricultural economic activities.
Link external resources and market opportunities to county stakeholders and target audiences.
Provide agriculture and food systems workshops that meet the needs of Onondaga County residents.
Utilize a variety of educational methods which may include direct teaching, group experiences, media, newsletters, electronic technology, internet, distance learning, workshops and forums to promote and deliver programs.
Serve as a team member and cooperate with the entire Association and Agriculture Program staff to achieve Association program delivery goals.
Implement program evaluation as designed.
Assist in the interaction with program participants to obtain evaluation data, to include: evaluating the effectiveness of activities within the program area.
Assist 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.
Assist in organizing and coordinating all program activities related to Agriculture Development programming.
Compile existing resources into educational program materials.
Collect evaluation data from program participants based on existing evaluation framework and guidelines.
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.
Maintain a participant database for monitoring EEO/EPO compliance, for marketing organizational programs and initiatives, and for organizational reporting.
Under the guidance of Team Leader, network with various organizations to optimize teamwork through organizations, such as Farm Bureau, Chamber of Commerce, county and town boards, farmers’ markets, and community groups.
Collaborate with staff from other Cornell Cooperative Associations, regional teams and with agencies and organizations, including the South Central Dairy Fields Crop Team.
Effectively maintain professional relationships with other agencies, organizations and businesses that promote effective communication and facilitate continued programming efforts.
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.