The Cornell Cooperative Extension Tompkins County 4-H Issue Leader is responsible for the overall high-level program and administrative leadership, direction, and management of all 4-H Youth Development (4-H) educational programming. The Issue Leader serves as a member of the organization’s Leadership Team and will provide overall leadership for the application of subject matter knowledge to develop educational strategies for the assigned areas of programming.

The Issue Leader will provide leadership and direction in the procurement of program support funds and the effective management of the 4-H resources and staff. They will develop program evaluation tools and provide leadership for program assessment and analysis in assigned program areas including, but not limited to Rural Youth Services, After-School Programs, 4-H Clubs, Primitive Pursuits, 4-H Community Outreach and Family and Community Development. In addition, this position will be responsible for development and oversight of any other programming that is directly related to youth and their families.

The Issue Leader will participate in and encourage connections with other county associations regional teams, and Cornell and other Land Grant University faculty in developing collaborative projects and conducting applied research related to Cooperative Extension’s mission and strategically important community issues. This position will ensure that the 4-H educational programs reflect the diversity of people in Tompkins County and is accountable for assuring the equity and inclusion standards are met within the program unit, and, as a member of the Leadership Team, across the association. As a representative of the association with the public, community leaders, government officials, and Cornell University, the Issue Leader ensures the program areas conform to the objectives and mission of Cornell Cooperative Extension and this Association. Guidance and direction are provided by the 4-H Program Committee, Board of Directors, and the Executive Director, with support from other members of the Association Leadership Team.

This is a full time, 40 hour per week, benefits eligible exempt position.

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree with appropriate youth development specialization and at least 4 years of progressively responsible experience in Cooperative Extension or equivalent professional education experience in an academic, human service, or industry setting. A relevant PhD may substitute for 2 years of experience.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively engage a diversity of stakeholders, committees or consultants in the development of program direction.
• Demonstrated experience in facilitating community-engaged processes, building collective agreement, and achieving results, especially for underserved audiences.
• Ability to recognize, understand, value and incorporate diverse perspectives held by participants and collaborators/stakeholders.
• Ability to relate effectively to co-workers, advisors, community and professional leaders, and to work effectively with people of varying ages and socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds.
• Ability to manage and work with conflict in a constructive manner.
• Ability to initiate, plan, organize, implement, and evaluate informal and innovative educational programs using a wide variety of program delivery methods.
• Demonstrated skills in effectively communicating complex information through oral, written, and visual channels.
• Demonstrated ability to provide leadership and to delegate effectively.
• Demonstrated ability to provide supervision and guidance to staff and volunteers.
• Demonstrated ability to secure, develop, and manage resources.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and participate effectively in professional team efforts.
• Demonstrated initiative, reliability, and dependability.
• Experience with youth development.
• Valid driver license.
• 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:

• Coursework in research methodology, education, and management highly preferred.
• Knowledge of and experience with the 4-H model for Positive Youth Development of creating positive learning experiences; positive relationships for and between youth and adults; positive, safe environments; and opportunities for positive risk taking.
• Knowledge of statewide and/or national initiatives related to 4-H and F&DC program areas.
• Knowledge of needs in Tompkins County and other areas of the state as appropriate; understanding of services and resources available by local agencies and organizations to support 4-H programming.
• Demonstrated effective teaching and motivational skills.
• Training in strategic planning processes and outcome-based program development and delivery.
• Diversity and inclusion training or experience.
• Experience working in a shared leadership structure.

Responsibilities/Essential Functions:

Program Responsibilities:

Program Assessment - 10%

• Provide program leadership in applying subject matter knowledge to identify gaps and trends in the community in the areas of 4-H programming.
• Analyze 4-H programming needs, and develop program needs assessment.
• Make recommendations to the Executive Director, Leadership Team, Association Board, Program Committee, Cornell faculty, county and community leaders for 4-H programmatic offerings, enhancements, or improvements.
• Maintain direct linkage with Cornell University faculty and program units, and other Land Grant Universities as appropriate, for program assessment guidance and development related to 4-H programming efforts.
• Be involved, as appropriate, with multi-association team efforts to assess programs in 4-H.
• Ensure 4-H program assessments are within the statewide Plan of Work.

Program Development - 20%

• Oversee short- and long-range program development with program committee, Executive Director, the association leadership team, and other associations using the strategic plan, plan-of-work, program evaluation, impact reports, and other issue identification and priority setting instruments.
• Engage stakeholders that reflect the diversity and demographics of the community in the program development process. Ensure involvement/participation of key stakeholders/constituents and reach out to underserved communities to build and enhance relationships that result in improved outcomes for individuals, families and the community.
• Ensure educational programming has multi-level focuses with individuals/families, community organizations and businesses, and systems/policy decision-makers.
• Partner with Cornell faculty and administrators to ensure program content is consistent with policies and objectives of the association and the mission of Cornell Cooperative Extension.
• Develop educational strategies that use proven educational methodologies that consider the diversity of the community.
• Provide leadership for association-wide cross-program initiatives as well as multi-association, regional, and statewide programs to address priority issues.
• Provide leadership to staff in effective program development methods.

Program Delivery - 10%

• Serve as a subject-matter expert, taking leadership for key 4-H program area issues that require scientific analysis; a comprehensive, collaborative response; and that are of concern to a large number of people.
• Involve target audiences, collaborators, organizations, agencies, government, key partners and other staff as active partners in program delivery.
• Represent the association before the public, community leaders, government officials, and Cornell University as part of program delivery.
• Use program delivery strategies and methods that consider the diversity of the community.

Program Evaluation - 5%

• Evaluate change and impacts and use this information to direct future work. Based on program evaluation data, formulate and implement specific strategies to improve overall program quality, deliverables and impact.
• Ensure that program outcomes are evaluated for impacts at multiple levels – individual, family, community, and policy.
• Develop required written reports on activities and accomplishments and communicate results to appropriate stakeholders.
• Provide leadership for the implementation and development of program evaluation.

Applied Research - 5%

• Develop research partnerships with Cornell University and other university faculty in topic areas related to the Association’s Strategic Plan and programming priorities.

Administrative Responsibilities:

Direction - 20%

• Serve as an active member of the Association Leadership Team, on special committees and assignments as approved by supervisor. Work with other Association Issue Leaders and the Executive Director in a shared leadership role (Leadership Team) to provide appropriate direction in identifying, prioritizing and developing organization operational and system needs that improve overall program delivery, operational efficiencies, and organizational culture in line with the organizational strategic plan.
• As part of the Leadership Team, provide input and information and generally support the policy development and strategic planning work of the Association Board of Directors and standing committees of the Board
• Provide leadership to the program advisory committee that allows them to provide effective input and program direction ensuring programs address audience needs.
• Work with Association Leadership Team to develop a culture of collaboration, innovation, and accountability and which promotes inclusiveness.
• Seek out, prepare, and submit grant proposals, and develop other funding streams to support program and association priorities with active involvement of the Leadership Team, Association Director, Program Advisory Committees, Board, Cornell faculty and Extension Administration.
• Anticipate and project expenses to develop program area budgets.
• Propose budgets based on established financial guidelines and procedures for the 4-H Program Areas.
• Establish policies and procedures for the 4-H program areas.
• Develop staffing plan for the 4-H program areas.
• Lead the planning of effective marketing strategies for promotion and delivery of programs, maintaining or enhancing an appropriate public image, and ensuring that marketing considers the diversity of the community.

Management - 20%

• Provide direct supervision and support to program coordinators in assigned program area.
• Manage and direct the work of educators and program assistants in implementing educational programs, policy, systems and strategies related to program priorities.
• Evaluate performance and conduct annual performance reviews with educators, other program staff, and clerical staff. Review and obtain input from Executive Director, program advisory committee, and key constituents/collaborators. Provide frequent feedback, coaching, and performance management to staff.
• Manage funds of program including review of account statements, allocating funds to cover staff salary, and year end reconciliation.
• Review funding opportunities and grant proposals for the 4-H Program area.
• Collaborate with other senior leadership to identify and recruit staff and volunteers and provide orientation, instruction, and leadership development to enable them to better serve the community; and collaborate with other senior leadership to maintain and continually improve the staff and volunteer development systems.

Coordination/Operation - 5%

• Coordinate grant writing and fundraising efforts as appropriate.
• Develop and maintain relationships with partner agencies, organizations, industries, and community leaders.

Professional Improvement - 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 and perform 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 Tompkins 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, 40 hour per week, benefits eligible exempt position. Compensation starting at $68,000 per year, commensurate with experience.

Excellent benefits, based on eligibility, including:

Vacation, Sick and Personal time
Paid Holidays
NYS Retirement
Long-term Disability Insurance
Voluntary Tax Deferred Annuity
Voluntary Flexible Spending Accounts
Voluntary Group Universal Life Insurance
Voluntary Personal Accidental Insurance
Voluntary Legal Plan Insurance
Voluntary Long Term Care Insurance
Voluntary Auto and Homeowner’s Insurance
Voluntary Pet Insurance
Voluntary New York’s College Savings Program

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2024-05-15

4H Issue Leader - Ithaca, NY

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This is a full time, 40 hour per week, benefits eligible exempt position.

Required Qualifications:

Preferred Qualifications:

Responsibilities/Essential Functions:

Program Responsibilities:

Program Assessment - 10%

Program Development - 20%

Program Delivery - 10%

Program Evaluation - 5%

Applied Research - 5%

• Develop research partnerships with Cornell University and other university faculty in topic areas related to the Association’s Strategic Plan and programming priorities.

Administrative Responsibilities:

..Job text has been truncated here but will be shown when you apply.

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