4-H Local Food Educator

Austin Community College; New York (NY); On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Austin Community College is seeking a 4-H & Local Food Educator to deliver educational programming within local communities. This role supports youth through the Local Food program and the 4-H Positive Youth Development program, requiring the ability to work flexible hours which may include evenings and weekends.

The ideal candidate has a Bachelor’s Degree and relevant experience, alongside strong communication and organizational skills. Responsibilities will encompass program delivery, volunteer support, and community engagement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent education (Associate Degree and two (2) years transferrable program/function experience).
• Experience relevant to the role of the position.
• Valid NYS Driver’s License and the ability to meet travel requirements associated with this position.

Responsibilities

• Deliver educational programming in various settings including schools and community events.
• Assist with the promotion and planning of major public events.
• Provide oversight and orientation to 4-H Volunteers.

Skills

Flexibility in working hours

Effective communication

Team collaboration

Organizational skills

Ability to relate to diverse audiences

Education

Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent education

Job description

This position will serve as the 4-H & Local Food Educator for Cornell Cooperative Extension Association of Essex County and will deliver already-existing educational programming to youth within the Local Food program, the 4-H Positive Youth Development program and direct 4-H volunteer efforts. This position is under the leadership and oversight of the Community Vitality Resource Educator. This position will work closely with the Community Vitality Program Team to expand program areas to include but not limited to: animal husbandry & show presence, Agriculture in the Classroom, STEAM (science, technology, engineering, agriculture, and math), local foods, and community wellness programs. Program delivery will occur during regular office hours, evenings, weekends, and after-school and summer programs. This position will include but not be limited to utilizing existing resources to facilitate 4-H and local food education programs.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent education (Associate Degree and two (2) years transferrable program/function experience).
• Experience relevant to the role of the position.
• 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

• Familiarity with 4-H club structure, Agriculture in the Classroom, STEAM, youth wellness programs, animal husbandry, and show presence at county/state agricultural fairs.
• Familiarity with local foods and farms.
• Demonstrated ability to function as a team member working with volunteers and staff.
• Demonstrated ability to recruit, organize and support volunteers.
• Demonstrated ability to organize reference materials for programming purposes.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively through oral, written, and visual means.
• Demonstrated ability to utilize computer technologies for educational and communication purposes.
• Demonstrated ability to plan for and lead large community events.
• 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 individuals and groups, including adults and youth.
• Demonstrated ability to relate to diverse audiences.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Responsibilities

Program Delivery, Evaluation and Applied Research - 80%

• Utilize established program resources and materials in program work.
• Implement already-established 4-H and local food educational programs and activities in support of Association programming as identified/needed to support the established plan of work.
• Assist in providing existing information to bring awareness to the public in the form of impact statements, articles for progress/annual reports, and news releases, etc.
• Occasionally apply established subject matter knowledge to create lesson plans as identified.
• Under the direction and oversight of the Community Vitality Resource Educator, adapt already established curriculum and materials as needed to meet established program objectives.
• Provide 4-H, youth mentoring and local food educational programs via various delivery methods including on and off-site gatherings and virtual sessions.
• Work to foster acceptance of the Local Food and 4-H Positive Youth Development Programs and their methods and policies while addressing community and individual needs and considering diverse audiences.
• Assist Association staff with multi-association team efforts in the implementation of multi-disciplinary programs and program activities to deliver 4-H and local food programming.
• Serve as a team member and cooperate with the entire Association to achieve program delivery goals.
• Interact with program participants to obtain evaluation data, to include evaluating effectiveness of classes and instructors for all 4-H and local food programs.
• Assist the Community Vitality Resource Educator in the process of analyzing program data, and based on that analysis, assist in making recommendations for improvements in program offerings.
• Communicate evaluation findings to constituents as appropriate.

Administrative Responsibilities

Direction and Management - 10%

• Assist in the planning and promotion of major public events and programs including but not limited to: assisting with mass media efforts related to upcoming events and programs.
• Assist the Community Vitality Resource Educator with multi-association team efforts in the planning of multi-disciplinary programs and program activities to deliver the Local Food and 4-H Positive Youth Development programs.
• Assist in identifying and recommending program needs (i.e. program supplies and materials) to the Community Vitality Resource Educator.
• Recruit and provide orientation to 4-H Volunteers.
• Provide oversight to 4-H Volunteers.

Coordination/Operation - 5%

• Provide training to 4-H Volunteers.
• Coordinate identified administrative aspects of the Local Food and 4-H Positive Youth Development Programs to include, but not limited to, preparing correspondence, maintaining files, etc.
• Coordinate, compile, and organize existing program resources and program materials.
• Effectively maintain existing professional relationships with other agencies, organizations, and businesses that promote effective communication and facilitate continued programming efforts.
• Assist the Community Vitality Resource Educator in utilizing effective marketing strategies in the promotion of 4-H and local food programming efforts including but not limited to: print media, news media, social media, and multi-media efforts.
• This position may require the transport of program participants and/or program materials and resources in performing position responsibilities.
• Appreciate and embrace all interactions with clientele, staff, volunteers and the public.
• Assist the Cornell Cooperative Extension system in reaching out to all audiences.
• Be aware of, and adhere to, established Cornell Cooperative Extension Association of Essex County policies and procedures.
• Contribute to the overall success of the organization by performing all assigned duties in a professional, timely, and accurate manner.

Professional Improvement and Other Duties as Assigned - 5%

• In cooperation with the Community Vitality Resource Educator, 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.