Payment for Ecosystem Services Educator - Ithaca, NY

This individual is responsible for assisting with the development of a Tompkins county-wide pilot 'Payment for Ecosystem Services' (PES) program as well as creating and disseminating educational programming and materials in support of this and similar programs for agricultural and landowner audiences. Works under the direction of the Agriculture and Horticulture Issue Leader and with support and guidance from the Finger Lakes Payment for Ecosystem Services Work Team ('PES Work Team'). Responsible for representing the Association and Program to the public, agricultural stakeholders, government officials, and Cornell University. May work as a team member in addressing local, regional and statewide programming priorities.

This is a full-time, 40 hours per week, non-exempt, benefits eligible position. **Position close date is January 16th, 2025.

Required Qualifications:

• Master's Degree in Agricultural Economics, Regional Planning, Environmental Science, Agriculture, Ecology or Related Field
• Experience relevant to the role of the position.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and to relate effectively to program staff, co-workers, advisors, community and professional leaders, clientele and diverse groups/audiences and involve people in determining program direction.
• Ability to assist in grant writing and reporting.
• Ability to communicate effectively through oral, written, and visual channels using traditional educational tools as well as digital media.
• Strong interpersonal skills with proven ability to work effectively with advisory boards and committees, farmers, community and funding partners.
• Ability and willingness to work with diverse audiences and maintain cultural sensitivity.
• Ability to meet travel requirements associated with this position, including reliable transportation to travel to work and meeting sites in five counties.
• Ability to work flexible hours which may include evenings and/or weekends, as appropriate.
• Familiarity with the concept of payments for ecosystem services

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with educational programming about sustainable agriculture, regenerative agriculture, carbon farming, healthy soils and/or agricultural carbon sequestration
• Familiarity with communities in Tompkins, Schuyler, Seneca, Cayuga and Cortland Counties, including farmers (both established and beginning); other landowners; farm service organizations including SWCD, NRCS and FSA; city, town and county government officials (with emphasis on planners); academic institutions; business organizations; and environmental groups.
• Familiarity with agricultural and environmental policy and regulatory structures at local, state and federal levels.
• Experience with field research including soil sampling.

Responsibilities/Essential Functions:

Program Responsibilities:

Program Assessment - 5%

• May work with local community partners, including local municipalities, to identify gaps and trends in the community, as well as state and national partners to identify trends in needs of clientele.
• May apply subject matter knowledge to identify local program needs in collaboration with advisory groups, community agencies, and program participants.
• May assist in multi-association team efforts to identify regional program needs in collaboration with regional CCE partners, advisory groups, community agencies and program participants
• May make recommendations for programmatic offerings, enhancements or improvements.

Program Development - 30%

• Apply knowledge of agriculture and ecosystem services to develop educational strategies to meet the needs of diverse program participants, and to achieve identified program priorities and goals.
• Create innovative payment for ecosystem services educational program, including education on existing PES programs for large-acreage row-crop production, as well as education for a wide variety of community stakeholders on the impact and practice of PES programs, adhering to the statewide plan of work, identifying and utilizing existing resources, selecting, adapting and creating curricula as needed.
• Utilize local community agencies and organizations that serve on relevant advisory committees and coalitions, as well as relevant local, state and national agencies and organizations, as resources for the development of programs to meet the needs of participants.
• Make programmatic changes based on program evaluation outcomes.
• May be involved in regional team efforts to develop program to address priority issues.
• May coordinate with statewide teams including Harvest NY and others to facilitate coherent efforts toward common objectives in program development.
• May assist in application of a high level of disciplinary subject matter knowledge to develop educational programs.
• May assist in development of program to meet changing regional issues and/or changing multi-association issues.

Program Delivery - 20%

• Apply in depth knowledge of agriculture and ecosystem services to implement programs, identifying resources and activities necessary to deliver high quality educational programs on payment for ecosystem services, within the scope of the Association and statewide Plan of Work.
• Foster acceptance of program, methods and policies to address community and individual needs and consider diverse audiences.
• Utilize a variety of educational methods which may include direct delivery through coordination of workshops and conferences, farmer-to-farmer information exchanges, community conversations, tabling events, social media, website, email, distance learning and newsletters.
• May coordinate and facilitate advisory groups and coalitions, as well as serve on them, providing research-based education on sustainable agriculture and ecosystem services.
• Serve as subject matter expert in discipline for clientele, colleagues, community, decision makers and funders.
• Interact with program participants, representing CCE in a professional manner at all times.
• Maintain linkages with Cornell soil science, sustainable agriculture, ag economics, natural resources, environmental sciences, water, and climate change specialists for program delivery guidance.
• May be involved in multidisciplinary and/or multi-association team efforts to deliver program.
• May have direct linkage with other Land Grant University faculty and program units for program delivery guidance.
• Implement outreach activities including presentations, workshops, and tabling events to accomplish goals and objectives of the program and funders.
• Represent CCE before the public, community leaders, government officials, funders, Cornell or other land grant universities as part of program delivery.

Program Evaluation - 10%

• Support development of program evaluation framework and tools based on subject matter knowledge, within the scope of the statewide Association Plan of Work.
• Implement program evaluation and analyze and interpret collected program evaluation data and communicate results and findings with funders, Issue Leader and others where appropriate.
• Identify and recommend changes to strengthen and improve programs.

Applied Research - 5%

• Assist in conducting applied research on ecosystem services, including investigating means of measuring water quality, soil water-holding capacity, water infiltration rates, carbon sequestration and other relevant indicators.
• May work on identified research projects within the community

Administrative Responsibilities:

Direction - 10%

• Provide complex administrative tasks to support the planning of educational programs through the interpretation of Association and Cornell program direction.
• Develop educational program goals and strategies to meet the needs of participants with an emphasis on agriculture, climate change, natural resources, environmental science, watersheds, and science.
• Develop educational program goals and strategies, with guidance from the Issue Leader, to meet the needs of the community and funders.
• Assist in developing effective working relationships with Cornell faculty and administration, appropriate municipal departments, elected officials, local community leaders and organizations, keeping these individuals and groups informed of Heathy Communities goals, programs and impacts.
• Provide input to the Issue Leader in planning program budget to ensure achievement of program goals and strategies.
• Assist with the development of grants and funding proposals to secure ongoing or new funding, as well as the development of staffing plan, to support and enhance educational program offerings.
• Plan strategic external and internal marketing communications, including press releases, radio, television, website, social media, association and program newsletters, brochures, flyers and rack cards, for the Payment for Ecosystem Services pilot program and existing regional and national agricultural carbon payment programs.

Management - 5%

• Assist Issue Leader in administrative and program management activities, including program reporting, and budget management for program and funders, as assigned.
• May assist in solving problems and resolving conflicts that arise in the program, utilizing appropriate policies and procedure.
• Monitor program to ensure that educational content conforms to research base, policies and objectives of the Association and is research knowledge-based.
• In collaboration with supervisor, oversee the management of educational strategies to accomplish the identified goals and objectives for the Payment for Ecosystem Services pilot program.
• Guide the implementation of communication strategies for the Payment for Ecosystem Services program.
• Provide supervision to program interns.

Coordination/Operation - 10%

• Collect applied research data on payments for ecosystem services, including data on measurement of technical parameters, viability of payment models, and equity considerations.
• Provide moderately complex administrative support to the implementation of the assessment, development, delivery, and evaluation of established educational program goals.
• Compile and prepare presentation materials necessary for program delivery.
• Coordinate program planning and implementation; including adult and educational programs and activities, as well as for coalition meetings.
• Collect evaluation and program needs assessment data from program participants based on existing framework.
• May provide moderately complex administrative support to accomplish financial goals within assigned program/function, including submission of grant and funding proposals.
• Submit reports, including impact statements and success stories, for funders, Association, and Cornell, with guidance and supervision from the Issue Leader.
• Complete required financial documentation to meet grant, contract and Association finance management requirements.
• Coordinate marketing and promotion of the Payment for Ecosystem Services program through public relation initiatives and networking/collaborating with agencies, organizations, schools, decision makers and clientele.
• Responsible for travel requirements associated with this position, including travel to work and meeting sites in five counties.

Professional Improvement - 5%

• In cooperation with Issue Leader 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 Tompkins 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.

This is a full time, 40 hours per week, non-exempt, benefits eligible position. Compensation starts at the rate of $26.50 per hour. Excellent benefits, based on eligibility, including:

• Vacation, Sick and Personal time
• Paid Holidays
• NYS Health Insurance Program (including Dental Insurance)
• 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

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

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 January 16th, 2025. 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. If you require an accommodation so you may participate in the selection process you are encouraged to contact Cornell Cooperative Extension Administrative Systems at 607-255-6120, or via email at: cce.recruitment@cornell.edu.

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