Dairy Specialist

This is a full-time exempt position that serves as part of the Tri-County Regional Ag Team, providing technical assistance to farms and food businesses in Lewis, St. Lawrence, and Jefferson Counties. The position will function as the Dairy Specialist, working under the direction and supervision of the Association Executive Director.

The Dairy Specialist will provide program and administrative direction, management, and coordination of educational programs based on identified needs and opportunities, with an emphasis on dairy. This includes providing dairy producers, consultants, and industry representatives with the knowledge and educational resources necessary for production and management practices that enhance their profitability and sustain the growth of the dairy industry.

The position will deliver and develop dairy programming and program activities, both on-site and off-site, in the community, in accordance with the Regional Ag Team's plan of work. Additionally, the Dairy Specialist will coordinate all administrative aspects of the dairy program, including marketing efforts.

• Program Development: 5%
  • Make programmatic changes based on program evaluation outcomes.
  • Use a system of ongoing involvement of citizens in the program development process, expressing the demographics of the community.
  • Apply subject matter knowledge to provide input in the development of educational strategies.
  • Support the research, identification, and selection of existing resources for the program.
  • Assist in the creation of innovative educational programs.
  • Assist in the development/creation of program materials to address the needs of the program and program participants.
  • Maintain direct connection with Cornell University faculty and other Land Grant Universities as appropriate, for guidance in program development.
• Program Delivery: 20%
  • Provide programs on the demonstration and adoption of principles and practices leading to economical and environmentally sound use of dairy management practices that maximize quality, profitability, and sustainability.
  • Apply subject matter knowledge to create innovative lesson plans to deliver educational programs.
  • Provide one-on-one consultations with key producers and industry partners.
  • Occasionally teach the existing educational program as defined.
  • Teach innovative educational programs with discretion.
  • Provide dairy educational programs via mass media.
  • Foster acceptance of programs, methods, and policies to address community and individual needs and consider diverse audiences.
  • Serve as subject matter resource in the area of dairy to staff and participants, community organizations, and the general public.
  • Represent Cornell Cooperative Extension before the public, community leaders, government officials, Cornell University, and other Land Grant Universities as part of program delivery.
  • Be involved in multidisciplinary team efforts as appropriate to deliver programming.
  • Maintain direct linkage with Cornell University faculty, program units, and other Land Grant Universities as appropriate for program delivery guidance.
  • Utilize a variety of proven educational methodologies in program delivery.
  • Maintain connections with producers in Lewis County and disseminate research and information about program opportunities.
  • Serve as a team member and cooperate with the entire Association and Agriculture Program staff to achieve Association program delivery goals.
• Program Evaluation: 5%
  • Implement program evaluation.
  • Assist with the design/creation program evaluation framework as needed.
  • Apply subject matter knowledge to evaluate educational programs.
  • Assist with analyzing collected program evaluation data and make recommendations for improvements.
  • Based on program parameters, interpret evaluation data to the constituencies.
  • Interact with various constituencies to obtain their evaluation of all dairy programs.
  • Document county-by-county outreach demographics and outcome results.
  • Provide producers and industry with a framework to analyze production and management alternatives and to maximize profit opportunities based on emerging best-management practices.
• Administrative Responsibilities: 30%
  • Direction: 25%
    • Interpret Association direction to plan educational programs.
    • Utilize subject matter knowledge to plan the delivery and structure of delivery for established educational programs.
    • Assist in the design of a system of ongoing involvement of citizens which expresses the demographics of the community.
    • Plan effective strategic external and internal program communication/marketing efforts.
  • Management: 30%
    • Solve problems and resolve conflicts that arise in the operation of the dairy program utilizing appropriate policies and procedures.
    • Monitor program to ensure that educational content conforms to research base, policies, and objectives of the Association and is research-knowledge based.
    • Monitor income/expense to ensure spending is within budget constraint.
    • Effectively allocate financial resources to accomplish program objectives.
    • Give guidance to volunteers and staff, including those performing similar work.
  • Coordination/Operation: 10%
    • Organize and coordinate program activities related to dairy programming (i.e., workshops, seminars, tours, consultations, etc.).
    • Coordinate identified administrative aspects of the dairy program to include, but not limited to, preparing correspondence, maintaining files, etc.
    • Prepare quarterly reports and yearly impact statements on program progress and accomplishments.
    • Coordinate and organize summary meetings for producers and agribusiness.
    • Coordinate, compile, and organize existing program resources and program materials.
    • Utilize effective marketing strategies in the promotion of dairy 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 participants and/or 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 in programming and association priorities.
    • 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 Extension programs, and other duties as assigned.