Natural Resources Program Coordinator - Brewster, NY

Cornell Cooperative Extension•New York, NY

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Cornell Cooperative Extension Putnam County Natural Resources Program Coordinator is responsible for coordinating the Community Reforestation (CoRe) project and its volunteers at Tilly Foster Farm in Putnam County. The Coordinator works with the supervisor and staff, volunteers, towns, organizations and partners to coordinate and deliver educational programs and resources on diverse natural resource topics. These can include but are not limited to: forestry and silviculture, invasive species, arboriculture, ecosystem health & services, agroforestry, wildlife, recreation, conservation programs, forest asset protection, watersheds and water resources, climate change, and more. Topics can evolve based on environmental factors, community needs, and funding. The Coordinator facilitates these topics directly or works with partners to deliver educational programs and training. This position also serves as a subject matter resource for the public, municipalities, volunteers, and others by serving on committees, compiling data, and distributing educational information through direct response, presentations, articles, reports, and social (and other media) platforms. This position works as part of a dynamic and flexible program team – taking on existing or new responsibilities which can change based on new program areas, grants, contracts, Association needs, position vacancies, etc.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree. Associates’ Degree and two years transferrable program experience is acceptable.
Experience relevant to the role of the position.
Ability to meet regular travel requirements associated with this position.
A valid NYS driver's license with the ability to drive and driving record acceptable for Association insurance coverage are required.
Ability to work flexible hours, which may include evenings and/or weekends, as appropriate.
Ability to provide oversight for CoRe volunteers, which includes managing and providing support to volunteers.
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.
Ability to effectively deliver related programs and training.
Serve as an effective subject matter resource for the pubic, municipalities, program volunteers and participants.
Maintain program data confidentiality as needed.
Ability to effectively participate in professional team efforts.
Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing with the public, volunteers, employees and others through a variety of media.
Ability to effectively market program through social, print and other media, resulting in robust program participation.
Ability to recruit, engage and motivate volunteers and program participants.
Ability to relate effectively to co-workers, advisors, community and professional leaders.
Proficiency or ability to learn and effectively use software including use of the internet, program related software, and Microsoft Office Suite including Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Publisher, and Excel.
Proficiency or ability to learn and effectively use Geographic Information System (GIS) Mapping tools and software.
In addition to the Working Conditions; the work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.
This position works in a typical office environment.
In addition, the position regularly lifts, moves, or transports program related materials, and equipment.
The position frequently works in natural environment and outdoor weather conditions including extreme heat, precipitation and cold.
The position frequently performs trail and demonstration site maintenance; performs and demonstrates forest, culvert, and natural resources management techniques (manual removal of invasive species, weeds and shrubs) by positioning self (for example, pulling, bending, reaching, touching, kneeling, using hands to feel/reach) along with utilizing tools like saws, pruners, eel nets, etc.

Nice To Haves

Degree in natural resources, environmental science, ecology, agroforestry, or related fields preferred.

Responsibilities

Deliver existing virtual, in-person and multimedia education programs and trainings on diverse topics pertaining to natural resources and the environment.
Demonstrate and foster acceptance of natural resource best practices and sustainability concepts ensuring the future viability of forests and natural resources to address community, individual and environmental needs while considering diverse audiences.
Serve as subject matter resource; provide standard responses and assist with moderately complex responses
Coordinate with Cornell University faculty, CCE staff, partners, organizations, municipalities and participants as part of program delivery.
Represent CCE and the Agriculture & Natural Resources Program at meetings, on committees, and before the public, municipalities, government officials, community leaders and Cornell as part of program delivery.
Assist in creation of educational materials for multiple uses and platforms.
Assist in multidisciplinary team efforts to deliver projects and programs.
Assist in ensuring that program deliverables are met and are within scope of the Agriculture & Natural Resources Program plan of work.
Implement program evaluation as designed.
Assist in the interaction with various constituencies to obtain their evaluation of programs.
Provide input to Supervisor and Executive Director to assist in planning the delivery of established educational programs and developing goals.
Provide input in planning the structure of delivering educational and volunteer training programs via various methods.
Assist with development of marketing strategies, public affairs and special events to reach target audiences and meet program objectives.
Assist in identifying community and fiscal resources for program continuance and enhancement, including for grant applications.
Provide supervisor with program related information to assist the budget development process.
Support the management of up to 25 CoRe volunteers including recruitment, involvement, and helping to ensure the program adheres to Volunteer Involvement Policy including training and annual reporting in collaboration with Cornell.
Responsibilities include recruiting, interviewing, and selecting volunteers; mentoring and appraising performance; recognizing and disciplining volunteers; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
Help assure positive volunteer and public relations.
Manage the promotion of CoRe program and related volunteer recruitment efforts including public relation initiatives and networking/collaborating with partner organizations or others.
Assist the supervisor, team and Executive Director in managing programs, data and reports, communications strategies, grants, contracts, and budgets.
Solve problems and resolve conflicts that arise, utilizing appropriate policies and procedures.
Coordinate assigned projects, programs, trainings, events, and meetings related to the CoRe project, Natural Resources, and Climate programs for volunteers, professionals, municipalities, and partner organizations.
Coordinate logistics, promotion, registration, delivery, evaluation, and partner/speaker engagement for virtual, in-person, and multimedia programming.
Compile and refine existing resources (publications, factsheets, inventory documents, assessments, online tools, management plans, etc.) utilizing GIS mapping tools, Adobe, Microsoft software, and other platforms.
Maintain professional relationships with colleagues, partners, agencies, organizations, schools, and local governments.
Recruit participants, partners, organizations, schools, and others for events and robust program participation.
Conduct field assessments and inventories for the development of sustainable management and education plans.
Draft standard and nonstandard communications for education including guides, summaries, plans, articles, letters, reports, press releases, impact statements, blogs, websites, and social media posts.
Collect and compile data for the program, including visit requests and reports, active volunteer lists, trainings and development opportunities, and other relevant information.
Support stewardship projects including trail and demonstration site maintenance, repairs, tree and vegetation management, and other projects.
Frequently perform trail and demonstration site maintenance; perform and demonstrate forest, culvert, and natural resources management techniques (manual removal of invasive species, weeds and shrubs) utilizing tools like saws, pruners, eel nets, etc.
Report/submit program related expenses and income according to established Association policies.
Maintain program tools and equipment.
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.
Maintain professional and respectful interactions with clientele, staff, volunteers and the public.
Assist the Cornell Cooperative Extension system in reaching out to various audiences.
Aware of, and adheres to, established Cornell Cooperative Extension Association of Columbia and Greene Counties policies, procedures and Cornell Cooperative Extension Skills for Success.
Contribute to the overall success of the organization by performing all assigned duties in a professional, timely and accurate manner.