The Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County Youth and Workforce Development Program Leader provides overall leadership and management and assumes primary responsibility for 4-H Youth Development educational programs and activities, the Green Teen Community Gardening Program, and other youth and workforce development programs of the Association. A significant part of this role will be to secure the resources needed to run high-quality, research-based youth and workforce development programs, and this will be an on-going role. This position involves program administration and leadership, leadership in fundraising efforts for Youth and Workforce Development Programming, and event coordination leadership for youth programs such as 4-H Public Presentations, the Dutchess County Fair, and other events as assigned. Recruiting, training, managing and supporting volunteers are essential components of this role. The Program Leader supervises Youth and Workforce Development staff. Activities occur in accordance with the Association and the Youth and Workforce Development Program Area’s Plan of Work and take place both on and off site.

    

Required Qualifications:

Master’s Degree with 4 years related experience; Ph. D. can substitute for 2 years’ experience;3 years of experience providing direct employee supervision;Familiarity with theory and practice of positive youth development;Demonstrated ability to research, write and manage grants;Ability to work with diverse stakeholders;Ability to meet travel requirements associated with this position;Ability to work flexible hours which includes evenings and/or weekends.

Preferred Qualifications:

Coursework in Agriculture, Education, Youth Development and/or Program Management highly preferred;1 year of experience directing volunteers;Knowledge of the philosophy, organization, and operation of Cooperative Extension system.

Responsibilities/Essential Functions:

Program Responsibilities:

Program Assessment - 5%

Provide program leadership in the application of youth and workforce development subject matter knowledge to identify gaps and trends in the community;Develop program needs assessment and analyze program needs with guidance from Program Advisory Committee;Make recommendations for programmatic offerings, enhancements or improvements (e.g. after-school programming);Participate in multi-disciplinary and multi-association team efforts to assess program;Maintain direct linkage with Cornell for guidance with conducting program assessment;Ensure program assessment is within scope of Association and statewide Plans of Work.

Program Development - 10%

Provide overall program leadership in the application of youth and workforce development subject matter knowledge to develop educational strategies;Lead the application of high level  disciplinary subject matter knowledge to develop educational strategies in support of the Youth and Workforce Development programming;Create innovative or alternative (to existing delivery models) educational programs that meet programmatic and community needs, and changing regional and statewide issues;Research, identify and develop existing resources for the program that meet the needs of diverse program participants; this may include soliciting sponsorships , grant-writing and fundraising responsibilities;Use a system of ongoing involvement of citizens in the program development process which expresses the demographics of the community, including a representative from the Program Advisory Committee;Create program materials to address volunteer and/or youth participant needs;Interpret Association and University  program direction to create educational programs;Ensure program development is within scope of the Association and statewide Plans of Work;Ensure program structure meets the need of diverse program participants;May be involved in multi-disciplinary and multi-association team efforts to develop program to address priority issues;Maintain direct linkage with Cornell University faculty and program units for program development guidanceDevelop well-integrated Association educational efforts and program to meet changing local issues;Make programmatic changes based on program evaluation outcomes.

Program Delivery - 10%

Apply youth and workforce development subject matter knowledge to create lessons plans to deliver educational program;Teach the existing educational program as defined and innovative educational programs with discretion;Collaborate, educate and create acceptance of programs, methods and policies that address community and/or individual needs while considering diverse audiences;Provide educational program efforts via mass media;Serve as subject matter expert in discipline; provide highly complex nonstandard responses;Interact with new and/or existing program participants;Represent CCE before the public, community leaders, government officials, Cornell or other land grant universities as part of program delivery through engaging and well-prepared presentations;May be involved in multi-disciplinary and multi-association team efforts to deliver program;Maintain direct linkage with Cornell University faculty and program units for program delivery guidance;May have direct linkage with other Land Grant University faculty and program units for program delivery guidance;Utilize a variety of proven educational methodologies;Ensure program delivery is within scope of the Association and statewide Plans of Work.

Program Evaluation - 5%

Apply youth development and/or workforce subject matter knowledge to evaluate educational program;Design and/or create program evaluation framework;Implement program evaluation, analyze collected program evaluation data and make recommendations for improvements;May be involved in multi-association team efforts to design or analyze program evaluation;May maintain direct linkage with Cornell University faculty and program units for program evaluation guidanceInterpret evaluation data to the constituencies and communicate evaluation results and findings;Interact with various constituencies to obtain their evaluation of programs;Ensure program evaluation is within scope of the statewide Plan of Work.

Administrative Responsibilities:
Direction - 30%

Provide complex administrative leadership to support the planning of educational program and activities including 4H Public Presentations, the Dutchess County Fair and other events and programs;Provide leadership into the planning of the delivery and structure of established educational programs and goals via various methods;Design a system of ongoing involvement of citizens which expresses and/or reflects the demographics of the community;Assist in the creation of the Association Plan of Work within the scope of the statewide 4-H Plan of Work and any Workforce Development objectives;Provide leadership for financial direction of program and plan effective strategic funding efforts to include:Research, identify and set goals for grants and to secure funding for high-quality, research based youth development programs;Anticipate or project expenses to develop a budget;Propose or develop program budget based on established financial guidelines or procedures;Develop staff salary allocations by funding source;Allocate budget amounts to establish financial strategies.Provide complex administrative communications leadership in planning for mass media efforts related to programs such as:Lead the planning of effective strategic external and internal Youth and Workforce Development program communication/ marketing efforts;Support the development of a shared Youth and Workforce Development and Association vision, building understanding around the mission and developing appropriate goals and strategies to advance the mission;Lead the development or enhancement of expanding relationships for Youth and Workforce Development with appropriate agencies, organizations, industries and community leaders for program/function;Lead the utilization of good marketing strategies in the generation of an appropriate public image;Support the development of the Association's marketing program, keying in on successes, research, initiatives, and flagship programs.Perform moderately complex tasks related to supervisory responsibility such as:Assist in planning organizational leadership development strategies;Develop staffing plan.

Management - 30%

Provide complex administrative management support to the organization, including leadership to facilitate problem solving and conflict resolution related to program operation;Provide moderately complex administrative management of established educational program goals including:Monitor program to ensure that educational content conforms to research base, policies and objectives; of the association and is research knowledge-based;Manage program activities to Association Plan of Work;Identify, develop, enhance and engage networks of volunteers and volunteer leaders.Perform complex administrative tasks in managing the implementation of program budget such as:Review funding opportunities, grant proposals and diverse funding streams;Monitor income/expense to ensure spending is within budget constraint;Manage allocation of resources according to established financial strategies;Assure compliance with established financial requirements, including grant and contract requirements;Communicate needed compliance with established financial requirements, including grants and contracts requirements to program staff, volunteers and community stakeholders;Recommend adjustments in budget, when allowed, to realign with changing needs.May provide complex administrative management guiding the implementation of communication strategies on particular program.Perform complex tasks related to supervisory responsibility such as:Effectively allocate human resources to accomplish program objective based on established staffing plan;Provide supervision  and guidance to program staff, including those performing similar work, and volunteers;Meet regularly with staff and supervise staff performance;Provide leadership for and facilitate staff and volunteer meetings;Train, orient and support staff and volunteers.

Coordination/Operation - 5%

Provide a limited amount of complex tasks in support of the organization related to program needs;Provide complex administrative support to accomplish financial goals within assigned program/function;Provide leadership to and ensure submission of funding proposals;Track and report program staff salary allocations by funding source;May provide complex administrative tasks in implementing communication and marketing plans;Develop and maintain effective working relations with legislators, local government leaders, community leaders, funding agencies, etc.

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.

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.

EEO/EPO and Policy - Applies 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 Dutchess County policies and procedures and Skills for Success;Contribute to the overall success of the organization by performing all assigned duties in a professional, timely and accurate manner.

This is a full time, benefits eligible, exempt position. Compensation paid at the rate of $72,000.00 per year.  Excellent benefits, based on eligibility, including:

Vacation, Sick and Personal timePaid HolidaysNYS Health Insurance Program (including Dental Insurance)NYS RetirementLong-term Disability InsuranceVoluntary Tax Deferred AnnuityVoluntary Flexible Spending AccountsVoluntary Group Universal Life InsuranceVoluntary Personal Accidental InsuranceVoluntary Legal Plan InsuranceVoluntary Long Term Care InsuranceVoluntary Auto and Homeowner’s InsuranceVoluntary Pet InsuranceVoluntary New York’s College Savings Program

Please be sure to read the Notice to Applicants found on the Jobs with CCE page:

https://cals.cornell.edu/cornell-cooperative-extension/join-us/jobs

How To Apply:  Applicants (including current employees of other Cornell Cooperative Extension Associations) must apply online through the APPLY button in this job posting. Current employees of Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County are considered internal applicants and must apply online through their Workday account which may be accessed here: http://workday.cornell.edu/.  For details on how to apply, visit: https://cals.cornell.edu/cornell-cooperative-extension/join-us/jobs/apply

All applicants are requested to submit a cover letter, resume and indicate three individuals who may be contacted as a reference.  Please consider indicating in your application all information you feel would be helpful for selection committee members to know.   Once the application is submitted you will NOT be able to change your submission or add attachments. Be sure that you have followed all directions and requirements listed in the job posting. 

All applications must be received on-line by December 2, 2024. Position closing dates may change based on Association needs.

No relocation or VISA Sponsorship available.

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. For additional questions or if you require an accommodation so you may participate in the selection process you are encouraged to contact Leah Cadwallader, Regional Human Resources Manager, e-mail LC267@cornell.edu or (845) 340-3990x314.

  

Job Title:

Association Issue Leader

Level:

No Grade - Annual

Pay Rate Type:

Salary

Company:

Contract College

Contact Name:

Leah Cadwallader

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.