This position will serve as a Nutrition and Food Systems Educator for Cornell Cooperative Extension Association of Jefferson County and will implement nutrition and local food related educational programs and program activities. This position will implement educational programming to the public to improve nutritious food and lifestyle choices among youth, families and individuals encompassing all age groups throughout Jefferson County. This position will be responsible for the delivery of programming to individuals (adults and youth) and community groups in a variety of settings to include, but not limited to one-on-one teaching, home visitation, food demonstrations, cooking classes, farmers markets, farm visits, grocery store tours, and group workshops. This will also include providing information via social media via Facebook, electronic newsletters, and other relevant venues. Program topics will include but are not limited to food and nutrition throughout the lifecycle, food preparation, food preservation, local food resource programs (for consumers and producers), implementation of SNAP-EBT at farmers market, creating linkages between consumers and producers, working with the Jefferson County Food Policy Council to advance the local food system, and creating/promoting agritourism events. The educator will deliver nutrition/local food/food system related programming and activities, both on-site and off-site and in the community in accordance with the Local Food Program Area's plan of work. The position will coordinate educational opportunities and technical assistance and will foster business development promoting and creating links between consumers/end users and agricultural sectors in Jefferson County. This position will assist the Nutrition Issue Leader with marketing efforts for nutrition and food systems.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS:

PLEASE READ BEFORE APPLYING

All applicants must apply by close of day on July 7, 2022 to be considered for this position. All applicants must submit an 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 - 100% FTE, 40 hours per week. The hourly rate for this position is $18.00. This position, based on eligibility, offers a comprehensive benefit package, to include: health and dental insurance, 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:

• Master's Degree or equivalent education (Bachelor's Degree and four (4) years of transferrable relevant evidence research-based experience).
• Experience relevant to the role of the position.
• Experience/ability to do food demonstrations and teach cooking classes.
• Valid NYS Driver's License and the ability to meet travel requirements.
• Ability to work flexible hours which may include evenings and/or weekends, as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with purchasing and preparing local foods for educational purposes through food demonstrations and/or cooking classes.
• Familiarity with reviewing and following recipes, food preservation methods and assuring compliance to federal, state, and local guidelines.
• Demonstrated knowledge of evidence-based food preparation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to utilize program resources within the general community.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, teach and evaluate informal educational programs through a variety of delivery methods to reach individuals and groups.
• 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 use computer technologies for educational and communication purposes.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:

Program Responsibilities:

Development - 20%

• Assist in the development of the local food system programming including creating connections between consumers and producers/farmers.
• Assist in the research, identification and selection of food system curricula and educational.
• Assist in interpreting Association program direction to create educational programs and develop yearly local food plans of work.
• Assist in structuring programs to meet the needs of diverse program participants including consumers and producers. Specifically develop agritourism events.
• Assist in development of programs to meet changing local food system dynamics.
• Participate in the development and sustainment of the Jefferson County Food Policy Council.
• Assist in making programmatic changes based on program evaluation outcomes.
• Utilize advisory committees and local food stakeholders (both consumers and producers) to guide program and resource development.

Delivery - 50%

• Use program materials and approved educational frameworks to implement the recruitment and teaching of the targeted number of activities each month.
• Use innovative and non-traditional methods of reaching audiences (adults and youth) with nutrition, and local food/food systems information such as cooking classes, food demonstrations, and unique community partnerships. Delivery methods include, but are not limited to: one-on-one teaching, home visitation, food demonstrations, cooking classes, food preservation classes, health fairs, grocery store tours, farm visits, agritourism events and group workshops.
• Implement programming to include (but not limited to) subjects such as: health, wellness, nutrition, food preparation, agritourism, local food resource programs, nutrition security and local food marketing.
• Work to implement initiatives that modify the environment and/or subsequent policies and systems to make nutritious choices available to all community members.
• Utilize approved program resources and materials in program work.
• Implement educational programing and program activities in support of other nutrition/local food programming efforts as identified/needed to support the established plan of work.
• Assist in providing information to bring awareness to the public in the form of impact statements, articles for progress/annual reports, and news releases, etc.
• Apply established subject matter knowledge to create lesson plans.
• Under the direction and oversight of the Nutrition Issue Leader, adapt already established curriculum and materials as needed to meet established program objectives.
• Provide educational programs and information via mass/social media; such as Facebook, Instagram, Newsletters, etc.
• Work to foster acceptance of food systems programming, methods and policies while addressing community and individual needs and considering diverse audiences.
• Assist the Nutrition Issue Leader in multi-association team efforts through joint planning and implementation of multi-disciplinary programs and program activities to deliver nutrition, local food, food resource, and agritourism programming.
• Serve as a subject-matter resource in the area of nutrition and food systems, as well as nutrition security resources (EBT, FMNP, Fresh Connect, etc.) to staff and participants, community organizations and the general public.
• Provide technical knowledge on food safety regulations for producers (e.g. SNAP EBT, GAP certification, FSMA, FDA, USDA/5A meat processing, home processing, etc.).
• Serve as a team member and cooperate with the entire Association and Nutrition 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 classes and instructors.
• Assist Nutrition Issue Leader in the process of analyzing program data, and based on that analysis, assist in making recommendations for improvements in program offerings.
• Communicate evaluation findings to constituents as appropriate.

Administrative Responsibilities:

Direction - 5%

• 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.

Management - 5%

• Assist in identifying and recommending program needs (i.e. program supplies and materials) to the Nutrition Issue Leader.

Coordination/Operation - 5%

• Organize and coordinate program activities related to local food/food systems programming (i.e. food demonstrations, direct lessons to adults and youth, etc.).
• Coordinate identified administrative aspects of the food systems program to include, but not limited to preparing correspondence, maintaining files, etc.
• Coordinate, compile and organize existing program resources and program materials.
• Assist the Nutrition Issue Leader 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.
• 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 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 and Association priorities.
• Collaborate in activities that are in general support of Cornell Cooperative Extension and perform other duties as assigned.

Health and Safety - Applied to all duties and functions.

• 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.

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.
• Aware of, and adheres to, established Cornell Cooperative Extension Association of Jefferson County 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.

Equal Opportunity Employment

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

Job Title:

Level:

Pay Rate Type:

Company:

Contact Name:

Number of Openings:

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.