This position will serve as the Local Foods Marketing Specialist for Cornell Cooperative Extension Association of Jefferson County and will be responsible for implementing educational programs and activities that provide direct marketing assistance and education in marketing to local farmers and producers in a four-county region in Northern New York. This position will work with the agricultural community to enhance the economic vitality of agri-businesses in Jefferson, Lewis, St. Lawrence and Oswego Counties. This position will utilize established resources to provide educational programming to farmers and value-added producers regarding marketing of products that will increase the public's familiarity with local agricultural markets. The primary role of this position will be marketing outreach/education and assistance to the agriculture producers, new food entrepreneurs, new/beginning farmers, and the general public. The Local Foods Marketing Specialist will provide training and direct assistance/education on website development, registration for web directories, social media, online sales platforms, search engine optimization, print advertising, signage, retail displays, product demonstrations and sampling, market analysis, market trends, business/marketing plans, wholesale marketing, licensing/certifications, payment methods, and related topics. This position will also provide support/education for/at events for the larger public that showcase and market the availability of products grown and/or produced in the North Country (e.g. cooking demonstrations/competitions, winter season pop-up farmer's markets, Taste-of-Jefferson County).

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS:

PLEASE READ BEFORE APPLYING

All applicants must apply online by close of day on September 30, 2021 to be considered for this position. All applicants must submit a complete application online, which includes: cover letter, resume and three (3) references.

All External Applicants (including applicants currently employed by Cornell Cooperative Extension in Associations other than the Association advertising this career opportunity) must submit his/her application materials via the "APPLY" button located within this job posting.

All Internal Applicants (current employees working for the Association advertising this career opportunity) must apply online via his/her Workday account, which may be accessed here: http://workday.cornell.edu/.

Please contact Jane Pearson, Association HR Coordinator at 315-788-8450 with questions.

POSITION DETAILS:

This position is a full-time, exempt position. The salary for this position is $38,500.00 annually. This position, based on eligibility, offers a comprehensive benefit package, to include: health and dental insurance, NYS retirement, vacation, sick and personal leave.

POSITION INFORMATION:

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree.
• One (1) year volunteer or related work experience.
• Coursework in marketing, advertising, business development, agriculture, agriculture business, and/or agriculture economics.
• Demonstrated knowledge of food production, food science/technology, and/or food culture.
• 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 of subject matter appropriate to area of programming.
• Ability to initiate, plan, organize, implement, teach and evaluate informal education programs through a variety of program delivery methods to reach individuals and groups.
• Ability to participate in professional team efforts.
• Ability and willingness to work with diverse audiences and maintain cultural sensitivity.
• Ability to identify and utilize program resources from the organization and the community.
• Ability and willingness to work with a high degree of integrity, accuracy, organization, sound professional judgement, and the ability to handle confidential, sensitive information.
• Ability to communicate effectively, clearly, and tactfully through verbal, written and electronic methods.
• Ability to relate effectively to co-workers, advisors, community and professional leaders.
• Ability to plan and organize personal work responsibilities according to priorities developed with immediate supervisor.
• Proficiency with windows-based software including use of the internet and Microsoft Office Suite including Outlook, Word, and Excel.
• Familiarity with basic social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram.

Responsibilities/Essential Functions:

Program Responsibilities:

Program Delivery - 90%

• Implement program activities that directly assist or provide education to local agricultural producers/farmers, Farmers Markets, and retailers of local foods (to include restaurants).
• Provide workshops and deliver established programs (e.g. business planning; basic and advanced marketing; Market Readiness training; licensing/certifications: GAP - Good Agriculture Practices, FSMA - Food Safety Modernization Act; 20C kitchen licensing; inventory management; search engine optimization; market analysis; website development and advertising methods).
• Maintain relationships with constituents and the community by utilizing various methods of communication such as writing newsletters, sending emails, updating social media, and creating website postings and content in support of local agricultural products as a part of program delivery.
• Provide support/education for/at events for the larger public that showcase and market the availability of products grown and/or produced in the North Country (e.g. cooking demonstrations/competitions, winter season pop-up farmer's markets, Taste-of-Jefferson County).
• Utilize effective marketing strategies in the promotion of programming efforts including, but not limited to: print media, news media, social media, signage, and multi-media efforts.
• Apply local foods/marketing subject matter knowledge to create lesson plans to deliver educational programs as appropriate.
• Work to foster acceptance of the Agriculture Program Area (particularly local foods/marketing), methods and practices while addressing needs in the agriculture community and considering diverse audiences.
• Deliver educational programs as a part of multi-association and/or regional efforts when identified/appropriate.
• Serve as a team member and cooperate with the entire Association and the Agriculture Program staff to achieve Association program delivery goals.
• Represent Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County in a professional manner and communicate and effectively maintain existing professional relationships with other agencies, organizations and businesses that promote effective communication and facilitate continued programming efforts.
• Utilize a variety of educational methods which may include direct teaching, group experiences, media, newsletters, electronic technology, internet, social media, Facebook, Twitter, and distance learning to promote and deliver program.
• Serve as subject matter resource in the area of Local Foods/Marketing.
• This position may require transport of program participants and/or program materials and resources in performing position responsibilities.

Program Evaluation - 5%

• Implement program evaluation as designed.
• Interact with program participants to obtain evaluation data.
• Assist Program Manager in the process of analyzing evaluation data, and based on that analysis, make recommendations for program offerings.
• Communicate evaluation findings to constituents as appropriate.

Professional Improvement and Other Duties as Assigned - 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 including but not limited to attendance at staff meetings, timely reporting of expenses, working with other staff, general marketing of Extension programs and other duties as assigned.
• This position may require the transport of program participants and/or program materials and resources in performing position responsibilities.

Health and Safety - Applied 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 - 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 Jefferson County policies and procedures.
• Contribute to the overall success of the organization by performing all assigned duties in a professional, timely, and accurate manner.

Equal Opportunity Employment

Cornell Cooperative Extension is an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities.

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Cornell Cooperative Extension is a collaboration among Cornell University, the United States Department of Agriculture, the State of New York, and the residents of New York State. Per NYS Law, county and regional extension service associations are subordinate government agencies. This employment opportunity is with the entities listed and not with Cornell University.

Cornell Cooperative Extension is an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities. Individuals who bring a diverse perspective and are supportive of diversity are strongly encouraged to apply.

Notice to Applicants: Please read the required Notice to Applicants statement. This notice contains important information about applying for a position at Cornell Cooperative Extension as well as some of your rights and responsibilities as an applicant.