Agriculture Workforce Development Educator- Oriskany, NY

Cornell Cooperative Extension•New York, NY

2d•$23•Onsite

About The Position

This position will serve as the Agriculture Workforce Development Educator for Cornell Cooperative Extension Association of Oneida County and will be responsible for implementing and evaluating agriculture education programming that strengthens workforce readiness and agricultural career pathways. The educator will lead initiatives that expand agricultural career awareness, internships and apprenticeships, and partnerships with schools, producers, and community organizations. The position will conduct targeted outreach and deliver hands-on, immersive career experiences for youth and emerging professionals through group and individual education, including workshops, classroom presentations, career fairs, demonstrations, field visits, one-on-one support, newsletters, and digital/media outreach. The educator will also build and maintain relationships with producers and community partners to facilitate work-based learning opportunities and will collaborate as part of the Association team to advance local, regional, and statewide priorities as appropriate.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree or Associate’s Degree and 2 years transferable program/functional experience.
Experience relevant to the role of the position.
General agriculture knowledge/experience.
Experience working with youth, schools, community partners, or workforce/career development programs.
Ability to communicate effectively through verbal, written, and electronic methods.
Proficiency or ability to learn and effectively use software including use of the internet and Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel).
ability to function as a team member working with staff.
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

Familiarity with agriculture subject matter appropriate to area of programming
Experience with Cornell Cooperative Extension programming and/or informal education.
Experience working with school districts, BOCES, career and technical education (CTE), or post-secondary partners.
Knowledge of Oneida County agriculture, local producers, and regional agricultural workforce needs.
Experience coordinating internships, apprenticeships, job shadowing, or other work-based learning models.
Ability to initiate, plan, organize, implement, teach and evaluate informal education programs through a variety of program delivery methods to reach youth and adults.
Ability to identify and utilize program resources from the organization and the community.
Ability and willingness to work with a high degree of integrity, accuracy, organization, sound professional judgment, and the ability to handle confidential, sensitive information.
Ability to relate effectively to co-workers, advisors, community and professional leaders including educators, agricultural producers, workforce agencies, and community partners.

Responsibilities

Deliver and/or arrange agricultural workforce development programming for youth and emerging workers, with a focus on career pathways into agriculture and related industries.
Facilitate career awareness and exploration activities as part of program delivery for students (especially grades 7-12), including career fairs, school presentations, field trips, and other workforce development events.
Develop and/or adapt lesson plans, educational materials, and career pathway resources related to agricultural occupations, skills, and training opportunities.
Implement hands-on and immersive agriculture career experiences using a variety of delivery methods (e.g., workshops, demonstrations, classroom visits, farm visits, one-on-one assistance, newsletters, and digital/media outreach).
Engage agricultural producers, industry experts, educators, and community partners to ensure programming reflects local workforce needs and provides a broad range of career experiences.
Represent Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oneida County in a professional manner and serve as a subject matter resource for agricultural and career training opportunities.
Assist in identifying emerging agricultural workforce education needs in Oneida County.
Serve as a team member and cooperate with the Association and Agriculture program staff to achieve program delivery goals.
Foster the acceptance of program, methods, and policies to address community and individual needs.
Implement program evaluation as designed, collect participant/partner feedback and needs assessment data, assist in analyzing results, and recommend and communicate program improvements and impacts.
Assist in planning educational programs including delivery schedules, outreach plans, and implementation of established goals related to agriculture workforce development.
Assist in anticipating and projecting program expenses.
Assist in providing program-related information to the budget development process and report to supervisor per established protocol.
Provide low complexity administrative assistance including planning for communications and marketing efforts related to workforce programming and public-facing events/functions.
Provide agriculture program-related information to the staffing plan development process, as appropriate.
Assist with grant writing and development efforts to secure funding for ongoing/expanded agriculture workforce programming.
Assist supervisor to ensure program activities, workshops, events, and work-based learning opportunities conform to Association’s Plan of Work and applicable policies/procedures.
Support the allocation of program resources to accomplish Association program objectives within assigned programming area.
Assist in identifying and recommending program needs (e.g., supplies, educational materials, event needs).
Initiate partnerships with school districts, BOCES, colleges, workforce agencies, community organizations, farms, agribusinesses, and agricultural service providers.
Solve problems and resolve conflicts in the operation of the Agriculture department utilizing appropriate policies and procedures, and with the guidance of supervisor as needed.
Provide guidance to co-workers, including those doing similar work.
Conduct targeted outreach and recruit participants and host sites for internships, apprenticeships, job shadowing, and other work-based learning opportunities.
Organize and coordinate career awareness and exploration activities for students (especially 7-12), including career fairs, school presentations, field trips, and other workforce development events.
Organize and coordinate program activities relating to agricultural workforce development programming.
Coordinate, compile and organize existing program resources and program materials.
Obtain evaluation data and program needs assessments from program participants based on existing evaluation framework and guidelines.
Provide data and information to assist with preparation of reports, impact statements, and success stories on program progress and accomplishments for funders, advisory committees, Board and others as requested.
Provide low complexity limited tasks to plan the educational program and implement the program budget; submit program related expense receipts in a timely manner following Association procedures.
Coordinate and assist with projects and outreach efforts as needed.
Assist in utilizing effective marketing strategies to promote programming efforts including print media, news media, social media, and multi-media efforts.
Maintain partnerships with school districts, BOCES, colleges, workforce agencies, community organizations, farms, agribusinesses, and agricultural service providers to support workforce programming and recruitment.
This position may require the transport of 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.
Participate in all required orientation, training, and/or in-service meetings and trainings as scheduled/required.
Pursue personal growth through expanding personal knowledge of the total organization and through updating techniques and technical skills relating to the position.
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 Cooperative Extension programs and other duties as assigned.
Maintain regular and predictable attendance and punctuality.
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.

Benefits

NYS Health Insurance Program (including FREE Dental Insurance)
NYS Retirement!!!
Long-Term Disability Insurance
Total Care Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Voluntary Tax Deferred Annuity Plan
Voluntary Flexible Spending Accounts
Voluntary Group Universal Life Insurance
Voluntary Personal Accidental Insurance
Voluntary Legal Plan Insurance
Voluntary Long Term Care Insurance
Voluntary Auto and Homeowner’s Insurance
Voluntary Pet Insurance
12 Paid holidays, 2 floating holidays (can be used at any time of year), 12 vacation days, 4 personal days and 15 sick days per year!