This position will serve as the Agriculture Communications Specialist for Cornell Cooperative Extension Association of Onondaga County and will assist in program communication, implementation, and coordination to the Agriculture program within Onondaga County and its role in the South Central Dairy and Field Crops Region. Under the oversight of the Team leader, this position will plan, 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 Specialist will communicate with and provide agriculture producers and industry representatives with the knowledge and educational resources which will enhance their profitability and sustain the growth of the agricultural industry in Onondaga County. This position will be responsible of organizing and delivering communications to the agriculture community in the event of an emergency. This position will be responsible for organizing and communication meeting for the Onondaga County Farmland Protection Project. This position will be responsible for organizing and delivering necessary programs for the FPIG program. This position will be responsible for communicating with farms and organizing educators and volunteers during the ON Farm Fest Program.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS:

PLEASE READ BEFORE APPLYING

All applicants must apply online by close of day on January 28, 2021 to be considered for this position. All applicants must complete an application packet, which includes: cover letter, resume and three (3) references.

All External Applicants (including applicants currently employed by Cornell Cooperative Extension in Associations other than the Association advertising this career opportunity) must submit his/her application materials via the "APPLY" button located within this job posting.

All Internal Applicants (current employees working for the Association advertising this career opportunity) must apply online via his/her Workday account, which may be accessed here: http://workday.cornell.edu/.

Please contact Hillary Chartron-Bartholomew, Association Administrator at 315-424-9485 with questions.

POSITION DETAILS:

This position is a part-time non-exempt position - 50% FTE, 18.75 hours per week. This position, based on eligibility, offers a comprehensive benefit package, to include: health and dental insurance, retirement, vacation, sick and personal leave.

POSITION INFORMATION:

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent education (Associate's Degree and two (2) years of transferrable program/functional experience).
• Experience relevant to the role of the position including demonstrated experience with communications
• 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.
• Able to respond remotely to the agriculture community in the event of an emergency or disaster.
• Demonstrated ability to work with Microsoft Excel in creating, managing and sorting communications database.
• 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 programing needs for the agriculture community.
• Able to follow through with tasks.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 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 to utilize computer technologies for educational and communication purposes.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:

Program Responsibilities:

Delivery - 70%

• Serve as hub for Onondaga County Ag Community, cultivate relationships, and address needs
• Teach existing educational programs as defined.
• Apply established subject matter knowledge to create lesson plans necessary to deliver educational programming.
• 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.
• Provide 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 workshops to land owners interested in selling development rights to the state and assist with site plans for farmsteads (Farmland Protection Programs, Ag Economic Development, and Dairy Production Education).
• Provide workshops to connect Dairy Farmers to Specialists throughout the region.
• 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 program.
• Deliver educational programs as a part of multi-association efforts when identified/appropriate.
• Serve as a team member and cooperate with the entire Association and Agriculture Program staff to achieve Association program delivery goals.

Evaluation - 10%

• Implement program evaluation as designed.
• Interact with program participants to obtain evaluation data, to include: evaluating effectiveness of activities within program area.
• Based on program parameters, interpret evaluation data and assist in the analysis of that data.
• Communicate evaluation results and findings to constituencies.
• Assist in making recommendations for improvement.
• Assist in the design/re-design or creation of the program evaluation framework.

Administrative Responsibilities:

Direction - 5%

• Work in cooperation with team members to assist in establishing priorities and objectives for the Agriculture Program area.
• Assist in the planning and delivery of established Agriculture Program goals.
• Provide input in planning the structure of delivering educational programs via various delivery methods.
• Provide Team Leader with program related information to assist the budget development process.

Management - 5%

• Solve problems and resolve conflicts that arise in the Agriculture program, utilizing established policies and procedures.
• Provide guidance, as needed, to volunteers in accordance with established policies, procedures and best practices.
• Assist Team Leader in identifying and recommending program needs (i.e. program supplies and materials).

Coordination/Operation - 5%

• 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 detailed database of farms, resource providers, and agri-businesses for analysis and grant writing purposes.
• 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.

Professional Improvement and Other Duties as Assigned - 5%

• In cooperation with supervisor and/or Issue Leader, jointly develop and pursue a professional development plan as a means to increase competencies relative to position accountabilities and to address changes in programming and Association priorities.
• Collaborate in activities that are in general support of Cornell Cooperative Extension including but not limited to attendance at staff meetings, timely reporting of expenses, working with other staff, general marketing of Extension programs and other duties as assigned.

Health and Safety - Applied to all duties and functions.

• Support the Association to maintain a safe working environment.
• Be familiar 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.

EEO/EPO and Policy - Applied to all duties and functions.

• Appreciate and embrace diversity in all interactions with clientele, staff, volunteers and the public.
• Assist the Cornell Cooperative Extension System in reaching out to diverse audiences.
• Be aware of, and adhere to, established Cornell Cooperative Extension of Onondaga County policies and procedures.
• Contribute to the overall success of the organization by performing all assigned duties in a professional, timely, and accurate manner.

Equal Opportunity Employment

Cornell Cooperative Extension is an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities.

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Cornell Cooperative Extension is a collaboration among Cornell University, the United States Department of Agriculture, the State of New York, and the residents of New York State. Per NYS Law, county and regional extension service associations are subordinate government agencies. This employment opportunity is with the entities listed and not with Cornell University.

Cornell Cooperative Extension is an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities. Individuals who bring a diverse perspective and are supportive of diversity are strongly encouraged to apply.

Notice to Applicants: Please read the required Notice to Applicants statement. This notice contains important information about applying for a position at Cornell Cooperative Extension as well as some of your rights and responsibilities as an applicant.