Cornell University

The 4-H Youth Development Resource Educator is an Association team member who works to develop and deliver timely, relevant, and innovative youth development programs while leading the planning, management, and development 4-H Shankitunk and its various educational programs for youth.

The Resource Educator is responsible for day-to-day oversight of 4-H Camp Shankitunk during the camp season including supervision of seasonal camp staff, effectively manage budgetary resources to ensure fiscal viability, operational and facility management, and maintaining compliance with health, safety, and affirmative action regulations. The educator develops leadership skills and engagement in counselors/camp staff and volunteers for leveraging the impact of the program with youth, families, and communities.

This position is responsible for the implementation of marketing plans that successfully brand 4-H Camp Shankitunk and reach enrollment targets. The 4-H Resource Educator will identify ongoing needs for the program and camp collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to ensure continued success of the program along with assisting the Executive Director with the budget process for the Camp.

The 4-H Youth Development Resource Educator embraces the Staff Skills for Success and extends these principals to seasonal Camp Shankitunk staff, demonstrating health and safety, jobs skills, inclusiveness, adaptability, self-development, communication, teamwork, service-mindedness, stewardship, and innovation.

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in youth development, recreation, environmental education, natural resources or other related degree plus relevant experience.
• Ability to meet travel requirements associated with this position.
• Ability to work flexible hours which may include evenings and/or weekends, as appropriate.
• Ability to manage off season programming for the facility and experience with outdoor educational programs.
• Ability to transport/move supplies and equipment, climb stairs with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Familiarity with windows-based software including use of the internet and Microsoft Office Suite including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to communicate effectively, clearly, and tactfully through verbal, written and electronic methods.
• Ability and willingness to work with a high degree of integrity, accuracy, organization, sound professional judgment, and the ability to handle confidential, sensitive information.
• Ability to be outdoors and lead/participate in physical activities.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with Cooperative Extension or other similar educational organizations.
• Knowledge of NYS Health Department regulations and American Camp Association standards.
• Excellent understanding of Environmental/Conservation/Outdoor Recreation Education.
• Business acumen to develop and work within approved budget and ability to provide safe facilities meeting educational program needs.
• Strong teaching skills; group facilitation skills.
• Current certification in First Aid / CPR / AED or EMT, preferred.
• Experience in guiding and collaborating with volunteers.
• Ability to identify and develop volunteer leadership.
• Strong interpersonal skills with proven ability to work effectively with advisory boards and committees, community, and funding partners.
• Ability to initiate, plan, organize, implement, teach, and evaluate informal educational programs.
• Ability to effectively 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 to relate effectively to co-workers, advisors, community, and professional leaders.
• Ability to plan and organize personal work responsibilities according to priorities developed with the immediate supervisor.

Position Responsibilities & Essential Functions

Program Assessment – 15%

• Develop methodology to assess the 4-H Youth Development and 4-H Camp Shankitunk programs to ensure that program and strategic needs of the camp and Association are being satisfied.
• Apply subject matter knowledge to identify program gaps, needs and trends in youth development and non-formal youth education.
• Make recommendations for programmatic offerings, enhancements or improvements to the supervisor, Executive Director, and Camp Committee.
• Ensure program assessment is aligned with Association and the statewide Plan of Work. 

Program Development –20%

• Apply subject matter knowledge to develop educational strategies to meet identified needs and diverse interests of participants and volunteers within the scope of the statewide and Association Plan of Work.
• Create innovative educational programs to meet identified needs.
• Research, identify, and select appropriate existing educational and community resources.
• Maintain linkages with Cornell faculty and other subject matter specialists for program guidance, particularly in program initiatives.
• Utilize the Camp Committee to ensure that stakeholders are engaged in the program development process.
• Make programmatic changes based on program evaluation outcomes.

Program Delivery –15%

• Deliver high quality 4-H Youth Development educational programs and events to the Delaware County communities and in the camp setting that address local, regional, and statewide 4-H Youth Development and camp programming priorities.
• Deliver programs and participate in special projects including but not limited to the 4-H Leader trainings, County Fair, State Fair, Fundraising, Public Presentations, and other extension association activities, as assigned. 
• Foster acceptance of program, methods, and policies to address community and individual needs and consider diverse audiences.
• Deliver educational “train the trainer” programming to seasonal camp staff and volunteers, including but not limited to trainings, presentations, workshops, seminars, conferences, individual consultations, electronic and digital media.
• Ensure program delivery is within the scope of the Association as well as the statewide Plan of Work
• Serve as subject matter expert in discipline to staff, clientele, and other groups as they are identified.
• Conduct educational programs to impact audiences by utilizing a variety of educational methodologies.
• Maintain linkages with Cornell subject matter specialists for program delivery guidance.
• May be involved in multi-county and/or multi-regional Camp staff team efforts to deliver educational programming.

Program Evaluation – 10%

• Develop program evaluation framework and tools based on subject matter knowledge within scope of the statewide and Association Plan of Work.
• Interact with youth/campers, parents, camp staff, volunteers, community members and funders to collect evaluation data for improving programs.
• Analyze and evaluate programs and communicate results, findings, and recommendations to supervisor, Executive Director and Camp Committee.

Applied Research – 5%

• Communicate social and economic changes to Cornell University specialists that may be studied and/or acted upon.
• Assist in the collaboration with Cornell faculty to design or create applied research.

Administrative Direction – 10%

• Develop educational strategies to meet the needs of youth/campers and special interest groups; focusing on youth development and Natural Resource Environmental education.
• Provide complex administrative tasks to support the planning of educational programs by interpreting Association and Cornell program direction.
• Provide input to the Executive Director in the planning of a department budget.
• Plan effective strategic internal and external marketing communications for the 4-H Camp Program and/or the Association.

Administrative Management – 10%

• Assist in solving problems and resolving conflicts that arise from programs, utilizing appropriate policies and procedures.
• Oversee the management of educational strategies to meet the needs of the identified objectives of the 4-H Camp Shankitunk program.
• Monitor program to ensure that educational content conforms to research-base, policies and objectives of the Association.
• Monitor the program operating income and expenses to ensure the program is within budget. Seek guidance from the Executive Director for identifying and managing operating variances.
• Effectively manage financial resources to accomplish program objectives. Assist with identifying ways to reduce costs and maximize existing resources within the Association. 
• Assist with recruitment of 4-H Camp staff and campers.
• Supervise Camp staff in season, providing appropriate feedback, coaching, and performance management, and annual performance evaluations, seeking guidance and support from the Executive Director as necessary.
• Provide oversight to 4-H Camp volunteers in season.
• Maintain American Camp Association accreditation to ensure program quality
• Ensure volunteer direction and management procedures are followed according to established policies and procedures (VIP) by providing guidance, leadership and resources for volunteers and volunteer leaders including recruitment, screening, orientation, training, evaluation, and management.

Administrative Coordination/Operation – 10%

• Assist in coordinating the program implementation, planning and activities efforts.
• Collect program evaluation and program needs assessment data based on approved framework.
• Coordinate 4-H Camp Shankitunk marketing efforts including camp brochure and website updates.
• Coordinate camper and camp staff recruitment efforts.
• Coordinate off-season programming and rentals for 4-H Camp Shankitunk.
• Represent the 4-H Camp program and/or Association at community functions and meetings or as requested. 
• Submit grant or other funding proposals applicable to 4-H Camp Shankitunk, including financial documentation that may be required.
• Provide information as requested to assist with preparation of reports, impact statements, and success stories on program progress and accomplishments for funders, advisory committees, Board and others as necessary.

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 and Association priorities.
• Participate in all required orientation, training, and/or in-service meetings and trainings as scheduled/required. 
• Pursue personal growth through expanding personal knowledge of the total organization and through updating techniques and technical skills relating to the position.
• 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 Cooperative Extension programs and other duties as assigned. 
• Maintain regular and predictable attendance and punctuality.

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.
• Manage effective emergency/crisis response to issues and communicate to applicable Association staff as needed.
• Secure necessary operating permits for 4-H Camp Shankitunk from agencies including the NYS Department of Health.
• Meet quality standards of and maintain accreditation from the American Camp Association.
• Monitor policies and practices that reduce risk and promote health and safety for campers and camp staff at 4-H Camp Shankitunk.
• Assist Executive Director with maintaining external relationships with insurer; local police, fire, and emergency medical units; inspectors and compliance officers on issues of health and safety.

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 Delaware 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.
• Represent Cornell Cooperative Extension to the public, community leaders, colleagues, volunteers, members of Cornell University faculty and staff, government officials, and the general public in a professional manner. 
• Contribute to the overall success of the organization by performing all assigned duties in a professional, timely, and accurate manner.
• At all times act in a professional customer service manner including but not limited to business-like demeanor, tactful communications, cooperative, helpful, positive, and receptive manner.

Position Details

This is a full-time, benefits eligible, exempt position. Salary range of $58,549 - $60,000 annually.

We firmly believe in work-life balance and we provide generous paid time off. Paid time off includes 21 Vacation days, 12 Sick days, 3 Personal days, and 11 Holidays annually. Our typical work schedule mirrors our office hours of Monday-Friday 8am - 4:30pm. Location: CCE Delaware Hamden, NY.

Additional benefits based on eligibility, include:

• NYS Health Insurance Program (including FREE Dental Insurance)
• NYS Retirement
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Total Care Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Voluntary Tax Deferred Annuity Plan
• 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

Application Deadline

All applicants must apply online by close of day on March 27, 2024 to be considered for this position.

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

https://cals.cornell.edu/cornell-cooperative-extension/join-us/jobs

How To Apply: Applicants (including current employees of other Cornell Cooperative Extension Associations) must apply online through the APPLY button in this job posting. Current employees of Cornell Cooperative Extension Delaware County are considered internal applicants and must apply online through their Workday account which may be accessed here: http://workday.cornell.edu/. For details on how to apply, visit: https://cals.cornell.edu/cornell-cooperative-extension/join-us/jobs/apply

Please submit resume, cover letter, and references. 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. 

No relocation or VISA sponsorship available.

Please contact Mandeep Virk-Baker, Association Executive Director, email mv463@cornell.edu with questions.

https://ccedelaware.org 

Job Title:

Association Resource Educator

Level:

002

Pay Rate Type:

Salary

Company:

Contract College

Contact Name:

Lori North

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.

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