Sr Extension Associate - Assistant Director, Agriculture and Food Systems

Sr Extension Associate - Assistant Director, Agriculture and Food Systems

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) is a pioneer of purpose-driven science and Cornell University's second largest college. We work across disciplines to tackle the challenges of our time through world-renowned research, education, and outreach. The questions we probe and the answers we seek focus on three overlapping concerns: We believe that achieving next-generation scientific breakthroughs requires an understanding of the world's complex, interlocking systems. We believe that access to nutritious food and a healthy environment is a fundamental human right. We believe that ensuring a prosperous global future depends on the ability to support local people and communities everywhere. By working in and across multiple scientific areas, CALS can address challenges and opportunities of the greatest relevance, here in New York, across the nation, and around the world.

Position Function

Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) provides the educational outreach functions for Cornell University's role as New York States Land Grant University. Programmatically, Cornell Cooperative Extension connects the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) and the College of Human Ecology (CHE) with 54 CCE Associations.

The CCE Assistant Director for Agriculture and Food Systems has a critical leadership role under the Associate Dean and Director of CCE. The AD for A&FS provides primary academic leadership and management for the CCE Regional Ag and Food System program, which consists currently of 10 Regional teams, 100+ Cornell employees, and an annual operating budget of 8 million. The AD is responsible for enhancing program delivery, responding to stakeholder needs, and engaging with CCE Executive Directors, CALS Departments, and faculty in Ithaca and Geneva, regional program staff and stakeholders, in constructive dialogue that champions the value of CCE programming and ensures sustainability of regional and statewide teams. The AD seeks new funding streams via competitive grants and function as liaison with potential funding sources such as the New York Farm Viability Institute, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), USDA-NIFA, and others. The AD serves as direct supervisor for a team of CCE Extension Associates, Senior Extension Associates, Extension Support Specialists, and administrative staff members, as well as providing financial and personnel guidance. Manage annual and long-term personnel planning including recruitment of quality candidates and retention efforts through annual reappointment reviews and reporting accountability.

Anticipated Division of Time

Program Leadership (35%)

• Communicate both formally and informally on a regular basis with several regional program Administrative Management Groups (AMGs), CCE Administration Leadership, human resources and financial services support personnel, and academic department liaisons regarding information and issues related to the assurance of quality educational programming, human resources, and financial oversight.
• Serve as the CCE administrative representative and liaison to each of the regional program AMGs, affecting more than forty local extension offices.
• Ensure overall consistent interpretation of university and CCE administration policy, processes, and procedures.
• Serve as the direct supervisor for a team of CCE Extension Associates, Senior Extension Associates, Extension Support Specialists, and administrative staff.
• Serve as a member of the Director of Extensions Senior Leadership Team, providing overall guidance to Extension Administrations' efforts to support the CCE system.

Programmatic Planning, Development, and Design (30%)

• Initiate and/or participate in long-term organizational planning discussions as they pertain to program focus, structure, leadership, and management of regional agriculture programs consistent with the mission of CCE and University departments.
• Provide supervision, training, and ongoing support to regional program team leaders as they facilitate planning to address regional and statewide educational program planning needs.
• Implement a vision for regional extension programming, as defined by CCE Administration that will enhance program delivery, increase efficiency and be responsive to stakeholder needs.
• Engage Executive Directors, faculty/departments, regional program staff, and stakeholders in constructive dialogues that champion the values of CCE programming and help promote the long-term sustainability of regional and statewide agricultural extension teams.

Financial Oversight (15%)

• Under the direction of the Director and Associate Director, seek new funding streams via competitive grants and function as liaison with potential funding sources such as the New York Farm Viability Institute, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), etc.
• Work with faculty on meeting the requirements to include Association staff on proposals and vice versa.
• Provide leadership and guidance in planning strategies to meet current and future funding needs.

Personnel Oversight and Planning (15%)

• In coordination with CALS HR and regional area team leaders and directors, manage the Academic and Staff recruitment and hiring processes and procedures for all CCE area teams (20-30 annually as the program continues to grow).
• Coordinate with various Academic departments and faculty members to develop search plans and form Academic search committees.
• Provide oversight for employee performance management activities including coaching, progressive performance improvement processes, Academic and Staff reappointment review processes, and professional development.

Professional Development (5%)

• Work with supervisors and CALS and CU to identify annual opportunities for professional development, particularly in the areas of leadership, coaching and project management.

Requirements

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in extension education, applied research and academic writing.
• PhD or other terminal degree preferred but not required.
• Working with committees, understanding informal education planning and delivery.
• Experience, education, and knowledge in an agricultural disciplinary area also highly preferred.
• Ability to negotiate and forge collaborations among organizations and professionals.

Supervision Exercised

This position will have supervisory responsibilities for academic and nonacademic positions within the department.

To apply:

Qualified candidates should submit a short cover letter, curriculum vitae, and contact information for three references via the website.

Applications will be reviewed as received, continuing until a suitable applicant is identified.

CALS hiring range for this position is $120,000 - $140,000