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Cornell Cooperative Extension of Niagara County has an opening for temporary Veggie Van Assistant working full-time from the Lockport, NY office.

The Veggie Van Assistant will assist with daily functions of the Veggie Van Mobile Farmers Market for Niagara County. Duties will include procurement and management of inventory, packing van and participant materials, setting up, and taking down sites, as well as distributing food and educating participants on incorporating and preparing healthy, nutritious foods.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS • Associate’s or Equivalent Education. (GED/High School Diploma with one-year transferable program/functional experience may substitute).• Experience relevant to the role of the position.• Ability to clearly communicate (speak, read, and write proficiently) in English.• Valid NYS Driver’s License and the ability to meet travel requirements associated with this position • Must be able to drive personal or Association vehicle for pick-up and delivery of product. Handcart or dolly may be used for transportation purposes – no heavy equipment use required.• Ability to lift 20lbs to 50lbs regularly with or without reasonable accommodation.• Ability to transport/move supplies and equipment, climb stairs with or without reasonable accommodation.• Ability to meet acceptable background check standards (DMV and criminal background checks).• Ability to work flexible hours, which may include evenings and/or weekends, as appropriate.• Ability to complete basic math functions in a fast-paced environment.• Ability and willingness to work with diverse audiences and maintain cultural sensitivity.• Proficiency with windows-based software including use of internet-based communications and Microsoft Office Suite including Outlook, Word, and Excel. • Ability to communicate effectively, clearly, and tactfully through verbal, written and electronic methods. • 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 follow procedures and written instructions. • Detail-oriented.• Ability to work in typical office and outdoor environments may include working in outdoor weather conditions with extreme heat or cold, precipitation on uneven ground; lift, move, or transport materials, positioning self (for example, pulling, bending, reaching, touching, kneeling, using hands to feel/reach) 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 accommodation may be provided to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS • Experience working in customer service and retail type environments. • Knowledge of basic marketing strategies, advertising, and social media promotion.• Experience in local food display, merchandising, and sales as well as the promotion of agri-tourism.• Demonstrated ability to creatively solve problems. • Demonstrated ability to manage inventory, collect information, and follow established “best practices”• Ability to work independently, make decisions, attend to details, and handle multiple tasks and work under pressure.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Program Delivery - 25%• Deliver high quality, existing agriculture and food systems related educational programs and information. • Utilize a variety of educational methods which may include direct teaching, group experiences, media, newsletters, social media posts, on-site and distance learning to deliver program.• Serve as a subject-matter resource to participants, community organizations, and the general public utilizing existing subject matter resources and connection to Cornell faculty, regional teams, local organizations, and partner agencies.

Administrative Coordination/Operation - 70%• Assist with daily functions of the Veggie Van Mobile Farmers Market including, but not limited to:

+ packing van and participant bags with food

+ driving van to participating locations

+ setting up and taking down at each site

+ distribute food

+ Maintain and clean van and storage areas.

+ Return boxes to farms.

+ Order produce and contact farmers as needed.

+ Distribute and collect surveys and evaluations.

• Work outdoors in all weather and seasonal conditions.• Contact clients as needed.• Collaborate with nutrition staff to effectively integrate health and nutrition into Veggie Van programming. • Create handouts for clients with recipes and cooking tips.• Assist with administrative tasks related to ag programming and Veggie Van such as connecting community members to existing resources, distributing, and disseminating program materials, compiling, and maintaining educational materials.• Assist in providing existing information to bring awareness to the public in the form of social media posts, impact statements, articles for progress/annual reports, and news releases, etc., as required.• Coordinate and assist with special projects and outreach efforts as required by Supervisor.• Complete evaluation submission and reporting requirements following established grant criteria/plan. • Maintain confidentiality of information of all information and data collected, accessed, and/or maintained.• Effectively maintain existing professional relationships with other agencies, organizations and businesses that promote effective communication and facilitate continued programming efforts.• Provide data and information in a timely manner to assist with preparation of reports, impact statements, and success stories on program progress and accomplishments for funders, advisory committees, Board, and others, as necessary.• Prepare and submit accurate expense reports, mileage reports, receipts/supporting documentation, and/or vouchers in a timely manner per established policy and procedures. • Transport of self and/or program materials/resources in performing position responsibilities as required.

Professional Improvement - 5%• In cooperation with the Supervisor, 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.• Participate in all required orientation, training, and/or in-service meetings and events as scheduled/required.

Health and Safety - Applies 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.

Policy and Other Duties as Assigned - Applies to all duties and functions• 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. • Conduct all programming and activities in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. • Aware of, and adheres to, established Cornell Cooperative Extension Association policies, procedures, processes, and Skills for Success. • Represent Cornell Cooperative Extension to the public, community leaders, colleagues, volunteers, members of Cornell University faculty and staff, government officials, and the general public in a professional manner at all times. • Perform all assigned duties in a professional, timely, and accurate manner.• Maintain regular and predictable attendance and punctuality.

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POSITION DETAILS

Expected Weekly Hours: 37.5 hours per week (Full-Time)

Expected End Date of Position: December 31, 2026 Hourly Wage: $19.00 to $21.90 per hour , commensurate with experienceLocation: Based from the Lockport, NY office

Remote Status: Remote work is not available.

Benefits: Full benefits , based on eligibility, including:• Paid Vacation, Sick, and Personal leave• Paid Holidays• NYS Health Insurance Program (including Dental Insurance)• NYS Retirement (NYSERS)

• Tax Deferred Annuity Plan• Long-Term Disability• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)• Flexible Spending Accounts• Term Life Insurance• Personal Accidental Insurance• Legal Plan Insurance• Auto and Homeowner’s Insurance• Pet Insurance• New York’s 529 College Savings Program______________________________________________________________________________

APPLICATION DEADLINE Apply online by 11:59pm EST on January 22, 2026

Review of applications will begin immediately. Position will remain open for applications until satisfactory pool has been identified. Contact Kimberly at [email protected] with questions.

Please be sure to read the Notice to Applicants found on the Jobs with CCE (http://cals.cornell.edu/cornell-cooperative-extension/join-us/jobs) page.

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HOW TO APPLY

To be considered all applicants are requested to:

+ Complete all sections of the Online Application

+ Upload/attach a Cover Letter and Resume

+ Upload/attach contact information for 3 Professional References

Upload *ALL* documents (PDF or MS Word format) at the beginning of the application process. This allows our system to pre-fill parts of the application and saves you time.

+ External Applicants (including current employees of other CCE offices): Submit application materials via the "APPLY" button located within this job posting. Please refer to Applying for a Job (External Candidate (http://cals.cornell.edu/cornell-cooperative-extension/join-us/jobs/apply) ) for additional guidance.

+ Internal Applicants (current employees working at this CCE office): Apply via  Workday under the "Career, Talent and Performance" section.

The Association may make reasonable accommodations to enable applicants to participate in the hiring process and employees to perform the essential functions of their job. If you require an accommodation so you may participate in the selection process you are encouraged to contact the recruiter listed above.______________________________________________________________________________

No relocation or VISA Sponsorship available.

______________________________________________________________________________

Job Title:

Association Tmp Program

Level:

No Grade - Hourly

Pay Rate Type:

Hourly

Company:

Contact Name:

Kimberly Amey

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.