Association Team Leader

This position will serve as the Agriculture Team Leader for Cornell Cooperative Extension Association of Franklin County and will provide leadership and management in program development, implementation and evaluation of innovative programs in Agriculture. Emphasis will be in general agriculture and food system program development, issues, collaborations, partnerships and education for youth, adults, schools and other community partners. This position will plan, implement and evaluate agriculture, food system, and educational programs under the guidance of the Association's Program Advisory Committees and the Association Executive Director. In addition, this position will take the lead to identify and seek grant funding for agriculture and food system programs and be responsible for grant administration/management. This position will work to expand/develop a strong, heavily involved volunteer base in the area of Agriculture and food systems and will provide program implementation and administrative direction, and coordination for all aspects of Agriculture Program, including volunteer management. This position is responsible for administrative and programmatic supervision of staff and effective management of resources.IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS:PLEASE READ BEFORE APPLYINGAll applicants must apply online by close of day on November 25, 2025 to be considered for this position. All applicants must complete an application online, which includes: cover letter, resume and three (3) references.

All External Applicants (including applicants currently employed by Cornell Cooperative Extension in Associations other than the Association advertising this career opportunity) must submit his/her application materials via the "APPLY" button located within this job posting.

All Internal Applicants (current employees working for the Association advertising this career opportunity) must apply online via his/her Workday account, which may be accessed here:  

Please contact Lindsey Kelly, Office Manager at with questions. 

POSITION DETAILS:

This position is a full-time exempt position - 100% FTE. The annual salary for this position is $62, This position, based on eligibility, offers a comprehensive benefit package, to include: health and dental insurance, retirement, vacation, sick and personal leave.

POSITION INFORMATION:

Required Qualifications:

• Master's Degree.
• Two (2) years volunteer or related work experience.
• Valid New York State 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.
• Ability to meet the physical demands of the position which include but are not limited to the ability to lift and move 20-50 pounds.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Coursework in research methodology, agriculture and education preferred.
• Experience in management highly preferred.
• Familiarity with local county needs and the services provided by other agencies that relate to the agriculture program area.
• Familiarity with statewide and/or national initiative related to the agriculture program area.
• Demonstrated ability to implement, plan, organize, teach and evaluate informal educational programs through a variety of delivery methods to reach individuals and groups.
• Demonstrated ability to function as a team member working with volunteers and staff.
• Demonstrated ability to provide leadership, supervision and guidance to staff and volunteers.
• Demonstrated ability to delegate responsibilities and manage staff and programs.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and participate effectively in professional team efforts across the region.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise and develop a team of individuals, utilizing skills in organizing, motivation and communication.
• Demonstrated ability to identify, utilize and manage budgets and resources, and to write proposals for funds.
• Demonstrated ability to relate to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively through oral, written and visual means.
• Demonstrated ability to utilize computer technologies for educational and communication purposes.

Program Responsibilities:

Assessment and Development - 20%

• Lead the application of subject matter knowledge to identify gaps and trends in the community.
• Lead the development of program needs assessment and analyze program needs.
• Make recommendations for programming (new programs, enhancements or improvements to existing programs).
• Maintain direct linkage with Cornell University faculty and program units and other Land Grant Universities as appropriate, for guidance with program assessment.
• May have direct linkage with other Land Grant University and program units for guidance with program assessment.
• Ensure program assessment is within the scope of the statewide Plan of Work.
• Participate in multi-association team effort related to program assessment as appropriate.
• Lead the strategic application of subject matter knowledge to develop educational strategies for the Agriculture program area.
• Apply high level of disciplinary subject matter knowledge to develop educational strategies for the Agriculture program area.
• Lead the development of innovative Agriculture educational programs.
• Lead the development of the Agriculture program materials to address individual clients' needs.
• Research, identify and select existing resources for the Agriculture Program.
• Create program materials and develop programs and program activities that foster a robust Agriculture volunteer program.
• Interpret University program direction to create educational Agriculture programs.
• Develop programs to meet multi-association needs and changing priorities when identified/appropriate.
• Structure the Agriculture program to meet the diverse needs of the community and program participants.
• Developing/maintaining Extension/Cornell University faculty connections for guidance with program development.
• Make program changes as needed based on evaluation outcomes.
• Use a system of ongoing involvement of citizens in the program development process which expresses the demographics of the community.
• Develop Agriculture programs to meet changing regional issues and multi-association issues.
• Assist the Executive Director in the development of citizen groups to advise program development and implementation.

Delivery, Evaluation and Applied Research - 25%

• Maintain direct linkage with Cornell University faculty and program units and other Land Grant University faculty, as appropriate, for program delivery guidance.
• Occasionally teach existing educational programs with high level of discretion. Programming would include, but not be limited to: Community Engagement, Agriculture and Its Products, programs in youth education and Agri-tourism and other emerging community needs.
• Evaluate and utilize a wide variety of proven educational methodologies in program delivery efforts.
• Lead the application of in-depth subject matter expertise to create lesson plans necessary to deliver high-quality educational programming.
• Represent Cornell Cooperative Extension before the public, community leaders, government officials, Cornell and other land grant universities as a part of program delivery.
• Serve as subject matter expert in the area of Agriculture to staff and participants, community organizations and the general public.
• May be actively involved in multi-association team efforts and regional programming initiatives to deliver Agriculture programming.
• Work to foster acceptance of the Agriculture program, methods and policies while addressing community and individual needs and considering diverse audiences.
• Provide educational program efforts via mass media.
• Deliver educational programs as a part of multi-association efforts when identified/appropriate.
• Ensure program delivery efforts are within the scope of the statewide Plan of Work.
• Serve as a team member and cooperate with the entire Association and Agriculture Program staff to achieve Association program delivery goals.
• Lead the application of subject matter knowledge to evaluate Agriculture Program offerings.
• Maintain direct linkage with Cornell University faculty and program units, and other Land Grant University faculty and program units for program evaluation guidance.
• Design/re-design or create program evaluation framework.
• May be involved in multidisciplinary and/or multi-Association team efforts to design or analyze program evaluation.
• Based on program parameters, interpret and analyze evaluation data.
• Communicate evaluation results and findings to Executive Director and other constituents as appropriate.
• Ensure evaluation is within the scope of the statewide Plan of Work.

Administrative Responsibilities:

Direction and Management - 40%

• Provide leadership to the interpretation of the Association program direction.
• Work in cooperation with team members to help establish local Association priorities and objectives for the Agriculture program area.
• Interpret Association program direction to plan multiple educational programs in the Agriculture program area.
• Provide leadership in planning for recruiting initiatives and events, recognition events, and other programs and program activities as identified.
• Plan the delivery of established Agriculture program goals.
• Provide leadership to the planning of the structure of delivering educational program via various methods.
• Assist in the design of a system of ongoing involvement of Agriculture volunteers and community members which express the demographics of the community.
• Anticipate or project expenses to develop a unit budget and propose the budget based on established financial guidelines and/or procedures.
• Assist the Executive Director in establishing financial strategies.
• Plan effective strategic external and internal program communications/marketing efforts.
• Assist the Executive Director in developing and/or enhancing expanding relationships with appropriate agencies, organizations, industries, and community leaders for purposes of programming efforts.
• Assist the Executive Director in developing a marketing program, keying in on successes, research initiatives and flagship programs.
• Perform high level of support for all aspects of volunteer management to include:
  • Recruitment of new Agriculture volunteers and ensure all volunteers have the required screening documentation.
  • Provide volunteer orientation.
  • Serve as an accessible resource to volunteers by providing follow-up support to ensure initial and continued volunteer success.
• Provide oversight to Agriculture volunteers, including, but not limited to: implementation of all aspects of the Volunteer Involvement Policy (VIP) and providing support to Agriculture volunteers.
• Provide guidance and problem solving when needed, to program volunteers in accordance with established practices and procedures.
• Identify and recommend Agriculture needs to the Executive Director.
• Solve problems and resolve conflicts that arise in the Agriculture program area utilizing appropriate policies and procedures within multiple program units.
• Review funding opportunities and grant proposals.
• Monitor income/expenses to ensure that spending is within budget constraints.
• Manage allocation of resources within the Agriculture program area's established financial strategies.
• Manage compliance to established financial requirements, including grants and contracts. 
• Provide management (including recruitment and selection) and supervision (including guidance, performance feedback and annual performance reviews) to designated staff in accordance with established policies, procedures and protocol, and provide regular staffing updates to the Executive Director as required.

Coordination/Operation - 10%

• Work with program staff to organize and coordinate all program activities related to Agriculture programming (i.e. Community Engagement, Improvement of Idle Rural Lands, Environmental Impacts and Water Quality, Marketing Agriculture and Its Products, Economic Development, and programs in youth education and Agri-tourism).
• Work with program staff to coordinate all aspects of the Agriculture volunteer enrollment and reporting process and ensure all volunteer files, paperwork and communication has occurred in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Work with program staff to ensure contributions to newsletters, distribute enrollment packets, and provide project resources and instruction to volunteers as appropriate.
• Effectively maintain professional relationships with other agencies, organizations and businesses that promote effective communication and facilitate continued programming efforts (i.e. Chamber of Commerce, Industrial Development Agency, County Planning Department, Grange, Farm Bureau, Local Agriculture Promotion Committee (LAP), Soil and Water Conservation Service, Farm Service Agency (FSA) and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). 
• Coordinate effective marketing strategies in the promotion of programming efforts to include, but not limited to: print media, news media, social media, and multi-media efforts.
• Obtain evaluation data and program needs assessments from program participants based on existing evaluation framework and guidelines.
• Provide volunteer training.
• 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 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.

Health and Safety - Applied 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.

Job Title:

Association Team Leader

Level:

002

Pay Rate Type:

Salary

Company:

Contract College

Contact Name:

Jerilynn Cross

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. 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.

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