Ag & Food Systems Program Assistant - Liberty, NY

Cornell Cooperative Extension•New York, NY

10d

About The Position

The Association Program Assistant II provides administrative, marketing, customer service, and operational support for Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County’s Ag & Food Systems, Sullivan Fresh, and Taste NY programs. The role supports communications and outreach, educational programs and community events, inventory and e-commerce operations, bilingual Spanish-language assistance, and coordination with staff, farmers, vendors, community partners, volunteers, and program participants. The position supports Sullivan Fresh farmers markets and mobile markets through customer service, sales, inventory management, product transportation, merchandising, and market setup and breakdown. It also supports Taste NY retail and e-commerce operations, including order processing, fulfillment and shipping, refunds, product and vendor research, website listings, inventory tracking, and customer service. Duties include translating materials and communications into Spanish; managing records and databases; assisting with fiscal recordkeeping and program reporting; and maintaining confidentiality and safe operating practices. This is a full-time, 37.5-hour-per-week, benefits-eligible, non-exempt position paid at $22.14 per hour. The position is based in Liberty, New York. No relocation or visa sponsorship is available.

Requirements

Associate’s degree or equivalent education; a GED/high school diploma plus one year of transferable program or functional experience may substitute.
Ability to communicate effectively in English and Spanish through verbal, written, electronic, and visual communication methods.
One year of experience in administrative support, customer service, communications, marketing, retail operations, program support, or a related field.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Experience using social media platforms, Canva, Constant Contact, QR code generators, and related communications tools.
Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, follow instructions, prioritize responsibilities, and attend to detail.
Ability to work with a high degree of integrity and maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.
Ability to work effectively with diverse audiences and maintain positive professional relationships with coworkers, volunteers, customers, vendors, community members, and organizational partners.
Ability to safely lift, carry, move, and transport supplies, equipment, products, and materials.
Valid New York State driver’s license and ability to meet position travel requirements.
Experience operating point-of-sale systems and handling cash and financial transactions, or willingness to learn.
Ability to work outdoors and adapt to changing weather conditions.
Ability to meet acceptable background-check standards.
Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, as appropriate.
Experience with database entry and data management.

Nice To Haves

Experience working effectively in collaborative team environments.
Experience collaborating with volunteers and interns.
Ability to identify and use local community resources.
Proficiency or experience with Canva, Constant Contact, and Adobe Creative Cloud programs, particularly Acrobat, Airtable, WordPress, and WooCommerce.
Experience maintaining databases, spreadsheets, and data management systems.
Experience updating website content and digital communications using content management systems, website platforms, or similar technologies.
Experience operating point-of-sale systems and processing retail transactions.
Experience with inventory management, inventory tracking, e-commerce platforms, online sales, retail operations, or order fulfillment.
Experience creating digital content, including photography, video, social media, and website content.
Familiarity with local agriculture, farmers markets, food access programs, food systems, or local food promotion initiatives.

Responsibilities

Participate in administrative and program team discussions and contribute to administrative procedures, technology systems, data collection, and recordkeeping processes.
Assist with implementation and evaluation of administrative systems for collecting, tracking, and reporting program and grant-related data.
Support planning and coordination of marketing, communications, and outreach activities, including website and social media work.
Assist with volunteer communication, scheduling, orientation, training, and related administrative support.
Support internal cash controls, including bank deposits, check processing, receipt reconciliation, and verification of enrollment, registration, order, and payment records.
Maintain confidentiality and security of participant, registration, and financial information; identify operational issues and collaborate with the Supervisor on corrective actions.
Respond to inquiries and provide customer service and information to participants, customers, vendors, community partners, and the public through phone, email, websites, social media, mail, and other channels.
Provide administrative support to the Association and Ag & Food Systems program areas, including participant registration, program implementation, event logistics, material preparation, setup, and follow-up.
Prepare, edit, produce, distribute, and mail correspondence, reports, surveys, newsletters, publicity materials, brochures, certificates, press releases, and other program communications.
Support website updates, social media management, online sales platforms, newsletters, public relations, advertising, event promotion, fundraising communications, and other outreach activities.
Design and maintain user-friendly web pages and online content using approved platforms and technologies.
Develop, update, and distribute print and digital educational, promotional, and marketing materials, including forms, evaluations, flyers, brochures, newsletters, videos, photography, and other resources.
Assist staff with Canva, Acrobat, website content management systems, and related communication tools.
Build and maintain effective working relationships with participants, community members, organizations, vendors, and partners.
Translate program materials, outreach communications, and educational resources into Spanish and use Spanish-language skills to assist program participants, customers, community members, vendors, and partners.
Create and maintain organized files, databases, and recordkeeping systems; perform data entry and routine data collection; and assist with fiscal recordkeeping and program reporting.
Maintain current inventories of program supplies, materials, and equipment.
Support Sullivan Fresh farmers and mobile markets, including setup and breakdown, customer service, merchandising, inventory management, sales, and community outreach.
Operate point-of-sale systems and process cash, credit card, SNAP/EBT, Food Bucks, and other approved transactions according to established procedures.
Assist with loading, unloading, transportation, storage, inventory tracking, and merchandising of products while following food safety and sanitation procedures.
Assist with safe operation of market equipment and mobile market vehicles and report maintenance needs to appropriate staff.
Support Taste NY retail and e-commerce operations by processing customer orders and refunds, coordinating fulfillment and shipping, and providing customer service.
Receive, inspect, organize, and track inventory; conduct counts; maintain records; monitor stock levels; and support inventory management systems.
Maintain website product listings and support online sales operations and related recordkeeping.
Conduct product and vendor research and support product promotion, merchandising, and marketing.
Operate standard office equipment and software; process class and special-event registrations, web publicity, and related financial transactions according to established policies.
Participate in team decision-making and staff meetings; record, transcribe, and distribute meeting minutes with confidentiality and professionalism.
Gather information and prepare materials requested by the Board of Directors, Administrative Team, Executive Director, and program leadership.
Develop and pursue a professional development plan with the Supervisor and/or Executive Director and participate in activities supporting Cornell Cooperative Extension.
Help maintain a safe working environment, follow applicable safety requirements, prevent accidents and injuries, and communicate identified hazards to supervisors.
Demonstrate respect and compassion, support outreach to all audiences, follow organizational policies and procedures, and perform assigned duties professionally, accurately, and on time.
Perform other duties as assigned.