Position Description

Academic Job Description

Cornell Agricultural Workforce Development

Management Development Specialist

Extension Associate

Who we are?

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: natural and human systems; food, energy and environmental resources; and social, physical, and economic well-being. Cornell Agricultural Workforce Development (CAWD) is part of CALS and Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) at Cornell University, the Land Grant University of New York State. We work with farmers and agribusinesses to build committed and productive teams. We believe that agricultural work can, and should be, engaging and rewarding for everyone involved.

The Management Development Extension Associate will support extension and research projects focused on solving problems and supporting development of New York’s agricultural workforce in all types of farm production. Primary projects for this position will include developing and teaching leadership and management development courses and workshops for online and in-person delivery.

What You Will Do

As an innovative and experienced educator, you will expand knowledge and access to management development and effective human resource management to all sectors of agriculture. You will interact with and focus efforts on developing Spanish-speaking and ESL agricultural supervisors and managers. You will work collaboratively, across disciplines, and with a variety of stakeholders, to develop, demonstrate, and guide better supervisory leadership across NYS. The state is a national leader milk production and specialty crops such as apples.  You will champion diversity, equity and inclusion by providing unbiased access to world-class research and industry expertise to all New York farmers; and serve as a trusted resource, enabling stakeholders to build knowledge and develop skills to engage employees, build teams and develop an effective workforce. At Cornell Agricultural Workforce Development, we’re developing the people who feed New York families and the world.

What We Need

We are looking for a talented, dynamic and engaging educator and leader, who is passionate about extension, outreach and research, to join our team of agricultural human resource management professionals. This leader will engage with the team on a variety of human resource issues and will take the lead to develop Spanish-language management development programs. A high level of collaboration with faculty, extension educators, and farm and industry personnel across all agriculture sectors is required for success. Ability to engage, excite and work with diverse audiences, building relationships with multiple stakeholders to identify and address the key issues affecting agriculture in the state is required. Significant input and support for the position will come from agricultural industry organizations and directly from farm personnel. Direct supervision is provided by the CAWD Director.

Anticipated Division of Time

Program Development: 25%

• Identify workforce development program needs and opportunities in NY in ways to improve the profitability and success of agricultural businesses, and the engagement and quality of work life of agricultural employees, with special emphasis on the Spanish-speaking and ESL workforce. Consult with workforce development program educators, regional extension staff, Cornell faculty, program advisory committees, producers, employees, consultants, and ag business personnel.
• Translate and adapt agricultural leadership and management courses into appropriate format for teaching Spanish-speaking or ESL farm supervisors and managers.
• Develop programs and tools for teaching agricultural leadership and management, especially with Spanish-speaking or ESL audiences.
• Develop programs and tools for teaching leadership and management in a multi-cultural context.
• Develop and teach HR systems, tools, and processes, including but not limited to: Lean Management, standard operating procedures, performance feedback, team-building, and communications.
• Cooperate with other technical specialists to incorporate HR systems into improved overall management practices.
• Support farm managers, regional educators, and industry consultants with identification, diagnosis, and solution of human resource management problems.
• Support development of tools and technologies for more effective HR management.

Program Implementation: 30%

• Teach agricultural leadership and management courses in Spanish to help develop the capability and advance the careers of Spanish-speaking supervisors and managers. Courses will be taught online as part of the Agricultural Supervisory Leadership Certificate program, and in other formats such as in-person and hybrid formats.
• Provide statewide leadership for efforts that develop, demonstrate, and evaluate educational programs with emphasis on Spanish-speaking management development.
• Provide leadership in the distribution and implementation of training manuals, fact sheets, learning aids, and human resource management systems that improve manager and employee performance, especially among ESL audiences.

·         Provide research-based knowledge through educational activities for extension educators, private consultants, industry representatives, growers and others through a variety of means including but not exclusive to direct teaching through group experiences (meetings, workshops, etc.) and mass media (webinars, podcasts, print, etc.)

• Ensure a major program emphasis on the demonstration and adoption of best practices in agricultural workforce development efforts, especially with the Spanish-speaking agricultural workforce. Analyze and evaluate major program efforts in cooperation with extension staff and if needed make recommendations for altering and improving them.

Applied Research: 20%

• Conduct applied research into human resource problems and opportunities that affect the agricultural workforce, in cooperation with appropriate faculty and extension field staff, and/or independently.
• Lead and cooperate on grant and funding proposals with agencies, organizations, faculty and extension personnel that will address IPM applied research needs and generate program support.
• Collect, analyze and interpret data as needed.
• Prepare reports for granting agencies, extension publications, trade press, social media, peer-reviewed journals, and other.
• Actively pursue outside grant funds to support the on-going applied research efforts.

Program Evaluation: 15%

• Evaluate, document and report the efficacy, impact, and cost of livestock workforce development projects, programs and practices, as well as the level of adoption.
• Work with regional extension staff to evaluate the effectiveness and economic impact of their program efforts.
• Regularly communicate program activities and impacts to workforce development program director, faculty, regional extension staff, program advisory committee members, farmers, and industry support organizations.
• Share results in quarterly and annual reports with the workforce development program; and local, state and federal partners and agencies.
• Identify and report workforce development knowledge gaps and information transfer problems.
• Present results of workforce development implementation and research projects at appropriate local, regional, state, and national meetings.

Professional Development: 5%

• Participate in professional development opportunities, conferences and workshops appropriate to program and personal skill enhancement.
• File professional improvement plan and constructively evaluate self-performance for improvement and subject matter excellence.
• Stay informed of advances in workforce development and human resource management.

·         Participate in related regional, statewide, and national professional organizations as appropriate.

Supervision: 5%

• Provide supervision and guidance for technical support staff, as needed.
• Provide guidance to extension educators on program implementation and the development of educational materials.

·         May provide direct supervision for project personnel, interns, etc. as needed.

Required Qualifications

•  Master’s degree in agriculture, management, or related discipline.
• Fluent Spanish language speaking and writing ability.
• At least 3 years of related work experience.
• Excellent communication skills, writing and speaking.
• Must possess agricultural experience with ability to relate to routine farm situations. Willingness to learn and work with all sectors of agriculture in New York.
• Competence using technology to communicate to diverse audiences using a variety of formats.
• Ability to travel. Possess or acquire New York Driver’s license.

Preferred Qualifications

1.       Experience leading and supervising.

2.       Experience developing educational materials and teaching.

3.       Research experience.

What We Offer

This is a full-time (40 hours/week) position. Flexible working location could be considered but should permit regular access to the main agricultural areas of NY and the Cornell Ithaca campus. This is non-tenure track position with an initial three (3) year appointment. Reappointment is contingent upon available resources and successful performance.

Cornell takes pride in offering generous benefits to support and enhance your health, wealth and wellness, including generous time off, competitive health insurance, retirement plans and a tuition assistance program. Here’s a quick overview of the kind of benefits that have made us an award-winning employer of choice:

https://hr.cornell.edu/jobs/benefits-snapshot

Applications: Applicants should submit a cover letter that addresses the requirements above, a curriculum vitae, a statement of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and the names and contact information for three references via Academic Jobs Online. Applications will be reviewed beginning in July and the position will remain open until filled.

Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University's heritage. We're a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities.  We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations.

Learn more about our ongoing efforts promoting diversity, equity and inclusion at Cornell CALS:

https://cals.cornell.edu/diversity-inclusion