This position will serve as the Youth and Family Engagement Specialist for Cornell Cooperative Extension Association of Jefferson County in support of the Watertown City School District's (WCSD) My Brother's Keeper (MBK) grant funded program. The MBK program provides comprehensive youth development opportunities for youth in the Watertown City School District (WCSD). The program provides family engagement programming alongside engaging parents and children together and connecting them with the school community. The Youth and Family Engagement Specialist will provide program coordination and ensure the program meets health, safety and licensing standards and offers a quality youth development educational experience. This position will coordinate family engagement events and activities with the school and community, offer parent education opportunities, integrate Cornell University research and programming, meet the program objectives/goals and work with the outside evaluators on evaluation protocols. This position will utilize existing program resources and materials in program work and will assist in delivering educational programs.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS:

PLEASE READ BEFORE APPLYING

All applicants must apply online by close of day on May 19, 2022 to be considered for this position. All applicants must submit a complete application online, 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 Jane Pearson, Association HR Coordinator at 315-788-8450 with questions.

POSITION DETAILS:

This position is a full-time non-exempt position, 40 hours per week. The hourly rate for this position is $17.25. This position, based on eligibility, offers a comprehensive benefit package, to include: health and dental insurance, NYS retirement, vacation, sick and personal leave.

Cornell Cooperative Extension Association of Jefferson County is a federal contractor, as defined under President Biden's Executive Order requiring mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations. All staff members, regardless of work location, must be vaccinated against COVID-19, unless exempt for medical or religious reasons. If offered a position, you will be required to disclose your vaccination status and provide proof of vaccination immediately upon hire.

POSITION INFORMATION:

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent education (Associate's Degree and 2 years of transferrable program/functional experience).
• Experience relevant to the role of the position.
• 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.
• Individuals must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 to be hired for this position. Proof of vaccination must be provided upon hire.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated knowledge of subject matter appropriate to area of programming.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise interns and provide oversight to volunteers.
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate and develop meaningful relationships with parents, community members, organizations, and students.
• Demonstrated ability to connect new programming to existing programs and initiatives, as well as have a working knowledge of academics and curriculum to be able to connect programming back to learning environments for students.
• Demonstrated ability to function as a team member working with volunteers and staff.
• Demonstrated ability to organize reference materials for programming purposes.
• Demonstrated ability to relate to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively through oral, written and visual means.
• Demonstrated ability to utilize computer technologies for educational and communication purposes.

Responsibilities/Essential Functions:

Program Responsibilities:

Program Delivery - 5%

• Provide the educational program as defined in the grant application.
• Implement family engagement events, activities and tasks as needed to meet the program objectives and goals.
• Implement already-established 4-H Youth Development educational programing and activities in support of family engagement strategies as identified/needed to support the established plan of work.
• Work to foster acceptance of the school community, methods, and policies while addressing community, family and individual needs and considering diverse audiences.
• Utilize established program resources and materials in providing information and resources to youth and families in the WCSD buildings.
• Provide family engagement educational information via school media.
• Assist the 4-H Program Manager and/or Youth and Family Development Issue Leader in ensuring that program delivery is within scope of the statewide and Association Plan of Work.
• Serve as subject matter resource in the area of 4-H Youth Development, family engagement and provide standard responses.
• Serve as a team member and cooperate with the entire WCSD, CCE Association and Youth and Family Program area to achieve program delivery goals.
• Provide ongoing family engagement activities regarding best practices working with adults and youth.
• Facilitate community and school-based workshops and activities that foster home school connections, parental involvement and general parenting strategies.
• Utilize a variety of delivery methods, including but not limited to phone calls, special events, written communication, workshops, family engagement events to support parents/caregivers in developing the skills and knowledge needed to support their student's learning.
• Assist in creating a welcoming school environment for families that promotes active involvement in the education of students.
• Provide support for existing parent organizations within the WCSD to encourage broader family engagement.
• Maintain a presence in the school at designated times for the purpose of reaching out to families and facilitating communication.
• Serve as a representative on appropriate teams such as a family/school partnership team.

Administrative Responsibilities:

Direction - 5%

• Assist 4-H Program Manager and 4-H Youth Development Program Leader and other program staff with limited-complexity administrative tasks in the planning of educational programs in 4-H Youth Development.
• Provide input to the WCSD in planning the structure of delivering educational family engagement programs via various methods.
• Provide input to the 4-H Program Manager, 4-H Youth Development Program Leader and WCSD in planning the delivery of established educational program goals.
• Assist 4-H Program Manager in proposing program budget based on established financial guidelines and/or procedures and assist in the allocation of program budget amounts.
• Provide administrative assistance in planning for mass media efforts.
• Assist in identifying opportunities for fund development opportunities.

Management - 10%

• Provide low-complex administrative management of established educational program goals.
• Provide moderately-complex administrative tasks in guiding the implementation of the program area budgets.
• Provide low-complexity administrative tasks in guiding the implementation of communication strategies.
• Solve problems and resolve conflicts that arise in the MBK Program utilizing appropriate policies and procedures.
• Give guidance to volunteers and staff, including those performing similar work utilizing established practices and procedures.
• Assist in identifying and recommending program needs (i.e. program supplies and materials) to the 4-H Program Manager.
• Assist the 4-H Program Manager in ensuring the program meets health, safety and other licensing standards.
• Develop and maintain professional relationships as appropriate with school personnel, community agencies and businesses to promote efficient utilization of resources and support MBK grant mission and objectives.

Coordination/Operation - 75%

• Coordinate, compile and organize existing program resources and program materials.
• Implement established program schedule.
• Assist with program evaluation to include: collecting evaluation and needs assessment data from program participants.
• Coordinate program implementation efforts, planning and activities.
• Organize and coordinate activities related to MBK Programming.
• Assist in the allocation of program budget amounts.
• Prepare and submit expense reports.
• Draft standard and non-standard communications requiring only occasional guidance from 4-H Program Manager.
• Provide administrative support for an Advisory Committee of parents, educators, community members and students to assist with program implementation and planning.
• Coordinate identified administrative aspects of the MBK Program to include, but not limited to: ordering and inventory of supplies (including end of year inventory), assist with marketing, assist with brochure development and distribution.
• Provide administrative support for fund development activities as identified.
• Assist in utilizing 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.
• Contribute and communicate 4-H news to include, but not limited to: articles of interest to program participants, parents and volunteers, recognition and program information.
• Provide basic information to community media representatives regarding individual programs and refer other questions to other staff members as appropriate.
• Effectively maintain existing 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 Executive Director, 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.
• Attend annual conferences as required and appropriate relevant to MBK funding.

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 Association of Jefferson 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.