Urban Agriculture Program Coordinator - Cortland, NY

Cornell Cooperative Extension•New York, NY

4d•Onsite

About The Position

This position will serve as the Urban Agriculture Program Coordinator for Cornell Cooperative Extension Association of Cortland County and will provide program coordination and support to the 4-H CYFAR and Programs. This position supports the planning, implementation, and evaluation of youth-centered urban agriculture. This role engages young people in hands-on learning experiences related to sustainable agriculture, food systems, environmental stewardship, and leadership development. The Program Coordinator ensures programs are safe, inclusive, educational, and aligned with the organization’s mission to empower youth through urban farming and community engagement. In addition, this position will implement the Blocks in Bloom Grant for Cortland County for three years and includes educational programming for adults and youth in the areas of consumer and commercial horticulture including planning and planting homeowner gardens in 75-100 homes in Cortland City. This position will be responsible for the delivery of established Horticulture programming to community groups, and will deliver other established Horticulture programming and activities, both on-site and off-site, in the community, in accordance with the Agriculture Program Area’s plan of work. This position will also coordinate all administrative aspects of the Programs and will assist with marketing efforts for Horticulture, CYFAR and Blocks in Bloom programming in Cortland County. This position will also supervise student interns. This position will coordinate the Master Gardener Program, including the training and supervision of Master Gardener Program volunteers in Cortland County.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture, Environmental Studies, Education, Youth Development or related field or Equivalent Education (Associate’s Degree and 2 years transferrable program/functional experience).
Two (2) to three (3) years of experience working with youth in educational, community, or agricultural settings.
Must have New York State Department of Environmental Conservation pesticide applicator certification, which can be obtained on the job within the first year.
Knowledge of urban agriculture, food systems, or environmental education.
Experience facilitating groups and managing youth activities.
Strong organizational and communication skills.
Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions and perform light physical labor (occasional lifting, up to 30-40 lbs, and physical farm tasks).
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

Knowledge of horticulture, including floriculture, ornamentals, turf, and vegetables.
Knowledge in entomology and plant pathology.
Knowledge of pesticides and their use, including integrated pest management.
Demonstrated ability to diagnose customers’ problems related to horticulture topics.
Experience in community-based or nonprofit programming.
Knowledge of food justice and community food systems.
Certification in first aid/CPR.
Experience with grant reporting or data tracking.
Bilingual skills.

Responsibilities

Lead hands-on learning experiences in gardening, food production, composting, and sustainability practices guided by youth voice and deep youth engagement.
Support curriculum implementation focused on leadership, workforce development, and food justice.
Teach existing Urban Agriculture and 4-H Youth Development educational programs as needed.
Foster acceptance of the programs, methods and policies to address community and youth needs and consider diverse audiences.
Provide educational program efforts via mass media.
Serve as subject matter resource for staff and participants, providing standard responses.
Serve as a team member and cooperate with the entire Association and Agriculture and Natural Resources Program staff to achieve Association program delivery goals.
Implement already-established Horticulture and Natural Resources educational programing and program activities in support of other Agriculture and Natural Resources programming efforts as identified/needed to support the established plan of work.
Implement already-established Master Gardener Programs such as the Master Gardener Program and Ag Literacy Week.
Assist in providing existing information to bring awareness to the public in the form of impact statements, articles for progress/annual reports, and news releases, etc.
Under the direction and oversight of the Executive Director, adapt already established curriculum and materials as needed to meet established program objectives.
Respond to inquiries in the area of consumer and commercial horticulture and provide established research based information in areas such as lawn maintenance, insect control and identification, soil testing, etc.
Assist the Executive Director in multi-association team efforts in the implementation of multi-disciplinary programs and program activities to deliver the Horticulture and Natural Resources Program.
Implement program evaluation as designed.
Assist in the interaction with program participants to obtain evaluation data, to include: evaluating effectiveness of classes and instructors within program areas for all Urban Agriculture, Horticulture, Natural Resources Programs.
Supervise youth participants during program activities, ensuring safety and positive engagement.
Ensure compliance with safety guidelines, risk management policies, and youth protection standards.
Provide input to assist in planning the delivery of established educational program goals.
Provide input to planning the structure of educational program delivery via various delivery methods.
Assist in proposing program budget based on established financial guidelines or procedures, and assist in allocating established program budget amounts.
Assist with the development of fundraising efforts to maintain/expand programming initiatives.
Solve problems and resolve conflicts that arise in the program utilizing appropriate policies and procedures.
Provide administrative support in guiding the implementation of the budget and communication strategies.
Assist in the review of financial records.
Assist in the planning and promotion of major public events and programs including, but not limited to: assisting with mass media efforts related to upcoming events and programs.
Provide oversight to Master Gardener Program Volunteers.
Coordinate and facilitate weekly urban agriculture sessions and hands-on seasonal activities for youth.
Assist with farm or garden maintenance, planting schedules, harvesting, and distribution, if interest emerges.
Track program participation, outcomes, impact metrics, delivering pre and post tests under direction from GAL LLC and Principal Investigator (PI).
Support recruitment and outreach to schools, families, and community partners.
Maintain program supplies, tools, and equipment.
Contribute to reports, weekly meetings with other coordinators, and program evaluations.
Attend weekly meetings with the Program Manager and other identified staff.
Attend monthly meetings with the full 4-H CYFAR LEGACY team and CYFAR Liaison.
Organize and coordinate program activities related to Horticulture Programming (i.e. workshops, seminars, tours, consultations, and in-school programs.)
Maintain a library of reference materials for use by consumers and Master Gardener volunteers.
Provide training to Master Gardener Program Volunteers.
Coordinate, compile and organize existing program resources and program materials.
Implement established program schedule.
Collect evaluation data from program participants based on existing evaluation framework and guidelines.
Coordinate program implementation efforts, planning and activities, including 4-H fundraisers and trips.
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.
Perform record keeping, data management and program reports as required by the Association and contract requirements.
Provide coordination and administrative support for meetings as needed.
Draft standard and non-standard communications, requiring only occasional guidance from Supervisor.
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.