Agriculture Team Leader - Jamestown, NY

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County has an opening for an Agriculture Team Leader working full-time from the Jamestown NY office.

The Team Leader for Cornell Cooperative Extension Association of Chautauqua County is responsible for providing leadership in the assessment, development, planning, delivery, and evaluation of agriculture educational programming as well as administrative direction, management, and coordination of those programming efforts.

The Team Leader will also assist in the daily functioning of the Association including assisting the Executive Director with delegated finance, administrative, human resource, business, and facilities operations and will act in the Executive Director’s absence to provide continuity of leadership.

• REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• •Master’s Degree in Agriculture or closely-related field (or) Master’s Degree in Management, Business or Human Resources with Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture.
• •2 years of relevant work experience.
• •Ability to meet travel requirements associated with this position.
• •Ability to meet acceptable background check standards.
• •Ability to work flexible hours, which may include evenings and/or weekends, as appropriate.
• •Ability to clearly communicate (speak, read, and write proficiently) in English.
• •Proficiency with windows-based software including use of the internet and Microsoft Office Suite including Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• •Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive materials and information and maintain confidentiality.
• •Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively through verbal, written, and visual channels using traditional methods and educational tools, as well as electronic technology (e.g., video, audio, computers, etc.) to facilitate clear and consistent communication for alignment and transparency within the organization and with external partners.
• •Demonstrated ability to provide leadership, supervision, and guidance to staff and volunteers.
• •Ability to effectively involve appropriate consultants and committees in the development of program direction and for the resolution of problems.
• •Demonstrated experience with fund development and management.
• •Demonstrated experience and ability to work independently and as part of a team with internal and external partners at multiple levels within organizations and across communities.
• •Demonstrated ability to initiate, plan, implement, and evaluate educational programs to address the needs of target audiences.
• •Ability to effectively lead, manage, and participate in professional team efforts and highly functioning work teams.
• •Ability to relate effectively to co-workers, advisors, community, professional leaders, and clientele groups.
• •Ability to identify and make use of program resources within the community and to establish a leadership role within the community and association.
• •Ability to identify and secure funding that supports programs, including grant writing, developing public and private partnerships.
• •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 organize, manage, and prioritize multiple tasks, deadlines, requirements, and priorities to complete work in a timely manner and within established deadlines.
• •Ability to work in a typical office environment which may include lifting, moving, and/or transporting office supplies, work related materials, and equipment with or without accommodation. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.

• PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• •Experience with Cooperative Extension or other similar educational organizations.
• •Background or course work in Leadership, Management, Human Resources, Education, Agri-Business, Farm work, Grant Writing/Management, Non-Profits, and/or Agricultural Economic Development.
• •Demonstrated experience dealing with the public or private sectors of the agricultural industry and/or promoting and enhancing agricultural development within the context of more general county and region-wide economic development goals and vision.
• •Knowledge of compliance with local, state, and federal regulations and risk management practices.

• ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
• Program Assessment - 5%
• •Lead the application of subject matter knowledge to identify needs, gaps, and trends in the community in collaboration with supervisor, program committees, staff, Cornell faculty, agency partners, and other community constituents within scope of the Association and Statewide Plan of Work.
• •Develop program needs assessment.
• •Analyze program needs based on assessments and input from community groups, staff, and other interested parties.
• •Ensure program assessment is within the scope of statewide and association plans of work.
• •Make recommendations for programmatic offerings, enhancements, and/or improvements based upon assessment.
• •Maintain direct linkage with Cornell University faculty/program units, Regional Agriculture Teams and other Land Grant Universities as appropriate, for program assessment guidance related to Agriculture programming efforts.

• Program Development - 20%
• •Lead the application of subject matter knowledge to develop educational strategies for the agriculture, agriculture economic development, and food systems educational programming area.
• •Develop high quality educational programs and program materials to address the needs of the program and program participants using proven educational methodologies as well as innovative techniques to reach various target populations within the community and region.
• •Develop Farm to School, Ag and Food Systems programming initiatives.
• •Develop agri-tourism initiatives to stimulate agricultural and community relationships.
• •Ensure that program development and related activities are within scope of the Association Plan of Work and are within the mission of Cornell Cooperative Extension.
• •Research, identify and select existing resources for use in programmatic offerings.
• •Based on program evaluation data, formulate, and implement specific strategies to improve overall program quality, deliverables and impact and meet the need of various program participants.
• •Develop relationships with partner agencies, organizations, industries, community leaders and other stakeholders to obtain their assistance in program development and ensure that stakeholders are engaged in the program development process.
• •Maintain direct connection with Cornell University faculty and other Land Grant Universities as appropriate, for guidance in program development.

• Program Delivery - 10%
• •Provide leadership to the process of program delivery and delivery strategies based on community needs.
• •Serve as subject matter expert in the area of agriculture for staff, volunteers, participants, community organizations, general public and professionals working within the county and the region.
• •Delivery innovative and multi-disciplinary programs utilizing a variety of teaching methods, including formal and informal workshops, seminars, and social and mass media consistent with identified educational needs and requirements of funders.
• •Consult and collaborate with target audiences/stakeholders, collaborators, organizations, agencies, government, and other key partners in program delivery efforts.
• •Foster acceptance of programs, methods, and policies to address community and individual needs and consider various audiences.
• •Ensure program delivery is within the scope of the statewide and Association Plan of Work.
• •Represent CCE before the public, participants, community leaders, government officials, Cornell, or other land grant universities in a professional manner as part of