Crop and Soil Specialist

This position will function as part of the Tri-Country Regional Ag Team, providing technical assistance to farms and food businesses in St.
Lawrence, Jefferson, and Lewis Counties.
The position will serve as the Crop and Soil Specialist and will provide leadership in the planning, development, management and implementation of the crop and soil programs, technical assistance, and research across the region.
Program topics include, but are not limited to: soil health, pest management, crop yields, agronomy, and pesticide applications.
This position will deliver and develop crop and soil programming and program activities, both on-site and off-site, in the community, in accordance with the Regional Ag Team’s plan of work.
This position will provide commercial field crop producers, consultants and industry representatives with the knowledge and educational resources necessary to assess production and management practices that will enhance their profitability and sustain the growth of the field crops industry in Northern New York.
The Regional Field Crops Specialist will lead and facilitate the extension of research findings from Cornell University, other land grant universities and agribusinesses, and work with local stakeholders to test alternative field crop management practices at the farm level.
This position will also coordinate all administrative aspects of the crop/soil program to include marketing efforts.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS: PLEASE READ BEFORE APPLYING All applicants must apply online by close of day on March 21, 2024 to be considered for this position.
All applicants must submit a complete application packet , 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 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: https://workday.
cornell.
edu/.
Please contact Jane Pearson, Association HR Coordinator at jep347@cornell.
edu or 315-788-8450 with questions.
POSITION DETAILS: This position is a full-time, exempt position, 100% FTE.
The annual salary for this position will be $65,000.
00 to $75,000.
00 commensurate with experience.
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.
Must possess or have the ability to acquire a Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) certification and New York State Certified Pesticide Applicators License.
Two (2) years volunteer or related work experience.
Valid NYS 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.
Preferred Qualifications: Demonstrated knowledge related to research best practices and research experience related to soil and crop health.
Demonstrated ability to learn new software/data tracking programs relevant to research initiatives.
Demonstrated skills related to pest management and pesticide applications and certifications.
Demonstrated ability to work and relate to farm families and agribusiness on an individual, group and mass-media basis.
Willingness to learn new subject matter as it relates to programming.
Demonstrated ability to utilize program resources within the community.
Demonstrated ability to plan, teach and evaluate informal education programs through a variety of program delivery methods to reach the target audience.
Demonstrated ability to relate to diverse audiences.
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively through oral, written, and visual means.
Demonstrated ability to use standard computer programs.
POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES: Program Responsibilities: Program Assessment - 20% Apply in-depth subject matter knowledge to identify gaps and trends in the community.
Develop program needs assessment and analyze program needs.
Make recommendations for programmatic offerings, enhancements or improvements.
Ensure program assessment is within scope of the statewide Plan of Work.
Participate in multidisciplinary team efforts to assess program.
Program Development - 20% Apply high-level in-depth disciplinary subject matter knowledge to develop educational strategies.
Develop a complex and innovative program to meet the crop and soil health education and research needs of targeted agricultural audiences.
Provide leadership for planning, implementing and evaluating educational programs that address producer identified needs and opportunities.
Emphasis is on the demonstration and adoption of principles and practices leading to economical and environmentally sound use of crop inputs to maximize quality, profitability, and sustainability.
Research, identify and select existing resources for the program.
Create program materials to address the needs of participants.
Make programmatic changes based on program evaluation outcomes.
Use a system of ongoing involvement of citizens in the program development process which expresses the demographics of the community.
Program Delivery - 10% Apply in-depth subject matter expertise to create innovative lesson plans to deliver educational programs.
One-on-one consultations with key producers and industry partners related to program development and problem solving.
Work to foster acceptance of crop and soil programs, research and technical assistance, methods and policies while addressing community and individual needs and considering diverse audiences.
Provide crop and soil educational programs via mass media.
Serve as a subject-matter expert in the area of crop and soil health to staff and participants, community organizations and the general public.
Apply in-depth subject matter knowledge to provide highly complex non-standard responses.
Evaluate and utilize a variety of proven educational methodologies.
Serve as a team member and cooperate with the entire Association and Agriculture Program staff to achieve Association program delivery goals.
Program Evaluation - 15% Apply in-depth subject matter knowledge to evaluate educational program.
Design or create program evaluation framework.
Implement program evaluation.
Interact with various constituencies to obtain their evaluation of all crop, soil and agronomy programs.
Analyze collect program evaluation data, and based on that analysis, make recommendations for improvements in program offerings.
Communicate evaluation findings and results to constituents.
Document county-by-county outreach demographics and outcome results.
Applied Research - 15% Conduct applied research in conjunction with Cornell and/or other Land Grant University faculty and staff as outlined in CCE program definition and standard.
Collaborate with other Cornell and/or other Land Grant University faculty and staff to design or create applied research collection framework.
Collaborate with other Team and/or Association members to write and secure competitive grant funding to support applied research.
Prepare written materials for research publications as needed.
Administrative Responsibilities: Direction - 5% Interpret Association direction to plan educational programs.
Utilize in-depth 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 - 5% Assist in solving problems and resolving conflicts that arise in the operation of the crop and soil regional 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 - 5% Organize and coordinate program activities related to crop and soil programming (i.
e.
workshops, seminars, tours, consultations, etc.
) Coordinate identified administrative aspects of the crop and soil program to include, but not limited to: preparing correspondence, maintaining files, etc.
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 crop, soil and agronomy 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 and Association priorities.
Collaborate in activities that are in general support of Cornell Cooperative Extension and perform other duties as assigned.
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.
EEO/EPO and Policy - Applied to all duties and functions.
Appreciate and embrace diversity in all interactions with clientele, staff, volunteers and the public.
Assist the Cornell Cooperative Extension system in reaching out to diverse audiences.
Aware of, and adheres to, established Cornell Cooperative Extension Association of Jefferson County policies, procedures and Cornell Cooperative Extension Skills for Success.
Contribute to the overall success of the organization by performing all assigned duties in a professional, timely and accurate manner.
Equal Opportunity Employment Cornell Cooperative Extension is an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities.
Job Title: Association Sr Res Educator 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.
Cornell Cooperative Extension is an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities.
Individuals who bring a diverse perspective and are supportive of diversity are strongly encouraged to apply.
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.