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This position will serve as the Environment & Gardens Educator for Cornell Cooperative Extension Association of Madison County and will be responsible for implementation of educational programming for adults in community horticulture, home gardens, and environment. This position will assist with managing the Madison County Master Volunteer programs (Gardens, Forest Owners, Naturalists) and the Seed 2 Supper programs, along with other educational programming. The Educator serves as an influential subject matter resource working with CCE staff and volunteers, as well as partner organizations, governmental offices, members of the public, and others. This position is primarily based in-person and out in the community in Madison County, with opportunities to work remotely based on organization policy and performance.

• Required Qualifications:

+ Bachelor’s degree in environmental sciences, Horticulture, or related field, or Equivalent Education (Associate's Degree and 2 years transferable program/functional experience).

+ Experience relevant to the role of position, and comfort doing hands-on garden education.

+ Ability to meet regular travel requirements associated with this position. A valid NYS driver's license with the ability to drive and driving record acceptable for agency insurance coverage are required.

+ Ability to work flexible hours, which may include evenings and/or weekends, as appropriate.

+ Communication Skills - Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively through oral, written, and visual channels, use traditional tools as well as innovative applications of electronic technology (e.g., computers, audio, video, etc.). Ability to frequently and effectively communicate verbally and in writing with external partners, program participants, employees, and others.

+ Technology Skills - Proficiency with or ability to learn Microsoft Office suite, database, internet, and virtual presentation software.

+ Work Environment – In addition to the Working Conditions, the work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions. This position works in a typical office environment as well as out I the Teaching Garden. In addition, the position frequently lifts, moves, or transports program related materials, equipment, and composting materials. The position regularly works in outdoor weather conditions including extreme heat and cold, precipitation, primarily to demonstrate hands on environmental education at locations like county and state fairs, outdoor community events, farms, gardens, and natural environmental settings.

Preferred Qualifications:

+ Experience in residential and/or commercial horticulture or environmental education.

+ Experience in community outreach and/or marketing to a variety of audiences.

+ Experience in program coordination/management and/or leadership.

+ Demonstrated ability to initiate, plan and organize community initiatives and programs.

Position Details:

Expected Weekly Hours: 30 hours per week

Hourly Wage: $22.00 per hour

Application Deadline is August 4th 2025.

Benefits: Full benefits, based on eligibility, including:

• 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• Voluntary New York’s College Savings Program

Program Responsibilities:

Program Delivery – 70%

+ Serve as subject matter resource; provide standard to moderately complex non-standard responses including, but not limited to, climate change, lakes and watersheds, invasive species, gardening and composting, or other related topics as needed or assigned.

+ May deliver innovative programs with discretion and training to the public and volunteers and in collaboration with partner organizations. Topics include but are not limited to: Cornell Climate Stewards Program, Seed to Supper program, Master Gardener Volunteers, lake/watershed education, invasive species, composting, and alternative and renewable energy.

+ Teach existing programs as defined.

+ Apply existing subject matter knowledge to create innovative lesson plans to deliver educational programming.

+ Staff information tables at events as part of program delivery.

+ Foster acceptance of the program, methods, and policies to address community and individual needs and consider different audiences.

+ Represent CCE before the public, community leaders, government officials, Cornell, or other land grant universities as part of program delivery.

+ Involved in multi-association and multidisciplinary team efforts to deliver programs.

+ Utilize a variety of proven educational methodologies.

+ May assist with maintaining direct linkage with Cornell University faculty and program units for program delivery guidance.

+ May assist with ensuring program delivery is within scope of the statewide Plan of Work.

Program Evaluation – 5%

+ Implement program evaluation as designed including use of surveys and statewide evaluation platforms.

+ Interpret and communicate evaluation data to the constituencies.

+ Interact with various constituencies to obtain their evaluation of programs.

+ Assist in ensuring program evaluation is within scope of the Plan of Work.

Administrative Responsibilities:

Direction – 5%

+ Assist with planning assigned programs and events.

+ Assist in planning the delivery of established program goals.

+ Assist with planning the structure of delivering programs via various methods.

+ Assist in developing communication and marketing strategies for assigned programs.

+ Provide input to planning program budget.

Management – 10%

+ Assist with managing the Master Gardener Volunteer program.

+ May assist with program monitoring to ensure that educational content conforms to research base, policies and objectives of the Association and is research knowledge based.

+ May assist with administrative and program management activities for short-term projects as assigned.

+ Assist with managing assigned programs and events in collaboration with community partners.

+ Assist with ensuring volunteer direction and management procedures are followed according to established policies and procedures by providing guidance, leadership, and resources for volunteers including recruitment, screening, orientation, training, evaluation , and management.

+ Provide guidance to volunteers and staff, including those performing similar work.

+ Assist in solving problems and resolving conflicts that arise in the program, utilizing appropriate policies and procedures.

+ Assist with effectively managing assigned program budgets.

Coordination/Operation – 5%

+ Recruit community partners to conduct education activities, including CCE Associations and staff.

+ Coordinate assigned programs and events in collaboration with colleagues and community partners.

+ Recruit program participants.

+ Compile existing resources into educational program materials. Maintain teaching materials and program supplies.

+ Implement established program schedule. Schedule educational outreach directly with community and constituent groups.

+ Maintain program related records, complete required documentation, expense reports, etc.

+ Collect evaluation data from program participants.

+ Maintain confidentiality of all information and data collected, accessed and/or maintained.

Professional Improvement – 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.

+ 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.

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.

Job Title:

Association Prog Educator I

Level:

006

Pay Rate Type:

Hourly

Company:

Contract College

Contact Name:

Regina Lowder

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.

Notice to Applicants: Please read the required Notice to Applicants statement (https://cals.cornell.edu/cornell-cooperative-extension/join-us/jobs) . 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.