CALS- Coordinator of Programs II, Small Farms Program Operations Coordinator- Horticulture Section

As a people manager and university leader, you will model and support a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and well-being by fostering an environment where everyone has the ability to thrive and navigate work and life's challenges because they feel like they belong and have the tools and support they need.

About SIPS: The CALS School of Integrative Plant Science (SIPS) encompasses five fields: Horticulture, Plant Biology, Plant Breeding & Genetics, Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology, and Soil and Crop Sciences. Combined there are 100+ faculty, ~200 undergraduate majors, 200+ graduate students in six fields, and 600+ other employees located in Ithaca, Geneva, and other satellite locations across New York State. The school offers a multidisciplinary undergraduate major in the Plant Sciences and is also home to the Agricultural Sciences major. School faculty also contribute to the Biology, Global Development, and Viticulture & Enology majors.

Program or Research Function Statement:

The Cornell Small Farm Program (SFP) engages in research and extension projects and collaborations that support and enhance the viability of small farms in New York. This Program Coordinator will support the execution of SFP projects and activities by providing support to all farmer education activities hosted by the program, including oversight of budgets and reporting, developing consistency in evaluation metrics across activities to advance the new strategic plan, and supporting grant development to grow SFP efforts. .

The Small Farms Program Coordinator works in close collaboration with the Program Director to ensure the successful development of the Small Farms Program, making decisions that foster effective departmental operations, fiscal responsibility, implementation of university policy, and coordination with college and university-wide units.

The Small Farms Program Coordinator will oversee all administrative aspects of the SFP. They will be expected to work closely with the Director while administering the business aspects of the program and ensuring the delivery and evaluation of program goals and initiatives, in compliance with Cornell University policy and values. The Program Coordinator will assign, supervise, and evaluate staff and team positions, while partnering with the Director and college units to ensure program success.

The SFP Program Coordinator will provide financial management and project-specific support for grant-funded projects as well as other program income. In particular, this Coordinator will support key efforts of the Small Farms Program, including 1) the Equitable Farm Futures Initiative (EFFI) that aims to ensure equity and access to agricultural training and education for diverse NYS farmers and 2) our agroforestry and climate-smart initiatives, and 3) the SFP Online Course Portfolio. In addition, this Coordinator will work closely with the SFP Director and SIPS departmental fiscal manager to provide financial oversight and projections for the overall SFP operating budget. By providing oversite to all projects, this individual will create best business practices to help align SFP teams and to meet goals set forth in the new SFP strategic plan.

The Program Coordinator will also oversee the development and implementation of specific new grant proposals that would expand training for new and beginning farmers, service providers, and other beneficiaries or support other program goals as driven by the new SFP strategic plan. Collaboration with external organizations and individuals to develop new funding resources is expected.

The Program Coordinator will work very independently, making decisions to foster the success of SFP and its projects to achieve the desired outcomes. These decisions will often require creativity as well as a good understanding of the abilities and resources of project staff through ongoing coaching and dialogue to ensure a positive, inclusive, and productive work environment. Occasional travel and overnight trips to visit with project collaborators around NY state are expected.

The Program Coordinator will be a full member of the SFP staff and is expected to develop close working relationships with all other SFP team members, participating in staff meetings and other SFP events. They will also represent SFP at state meetings and provide presentations to farmers and other stakeholders about the SFP efforts. Contributions to quarterly and annual SFP reports is expected.

Responsible for supervising project staff and supporting project collaborators.

This position is renewable annually, based upon satisfactory performance and continued funding.

Rewards and Benefits:

Position Summary:

While position responsibilities vary, all people leaders are expected to foster a culture of belonging and a psychologically healthy work environment by being trustworthy; respecting all individuals; being flexible; supporting work/life integration as well as healthy boundaries; inviting new ideas, alternatives, and perspectives; speaking up and taking action if others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and recognizing the contributions of others.

Reporting to the Small Farms Program Director, the Program Coordinator oversees financial and operational activities related to all sponsored awards and grant-funded projects. They will ensure the timely and accurate execution and evaluation of grant-funded projects through close collaboration with the Director and SFP team members, CALS/SIPS, and Cornell OSP/OSR, with a goal of improving efficiencies across program research and education activities. Specific duties include:

• Assist in the development of the Small Farms Program budget and prepare departmental operating budget for the Director and College Business Officer review.
• Make recommendations and implement departmental fiscal policy to ensure grant/budget compliance.
• Recommend new funding streams and coordinate with CU OSP accordingly in proposal submission.
• Provide strategic oversight of budgets and activity on current sponsored funds and departmental accounts.
• Create consistent practices and streamline processes to improve program efficiencies and ability to meet educational goals.
• Interpret and implement Cornell University policy and collaborate closely with SFP Director to address and resolve complex situations.
• Lead administrative and business operations of the program.
• Collaborate with SFP teams to develop project goals, work plans, and budgets.
• Conduct regular budget updates and meetings with project leads.
• Hire and train administrative staff, and conduct performance evaluations of these staff
• Supervise administrative staff
• Develop, manage, and monitor project and overall SFP program budgets
• Ensure that SFP projects meet grant obligations and reporting deadlines.
• Set working tasks and priorities for administrative SFP staff and project leads working with assigned grants/projects, while ensuring all required activities are accomplished in a timely manner.
• Work closely with the SFP Director to achieve program goals, identify emerging programmatic needs, and forecast future financial and staffing needs.

Required Qualifications:

• Experience in and/or demonstrated commitment to supporting diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and wellbeing.
• Demonstrated skill in understanding of cultural differences.
• Proven experience connecting diversity, inclusion, and wellbeing practices to business goals.
• Bachelor's degree in business administration, agriculture, communication, education, , natural resources, or related field preferred.
• Proven program and project management skills within an academic setting.
• Proven leadership, supervisory, conflict management, and team building skills.
• Must complete Cornell Supervisory Development Training within 6 months to 1 year of hire into the position with preference to complete as soon as possible.
• Must have sound decision making and critical thinking abilities.
• Must be able to lead teams through change and complex tasks and assignments.
• Must be able to work with diverse audiences and partners, both independently and as part of a team.
• Excellent communication skills, including writing and public speaking.
• Excellent communication skills with demonstrated ability to foster and maintain healthy professional relationships.
• Good working knowledge and experience with current software, such as MS Office, Qualtrics, PowerPoint.
• Must be personable, flexible and possess excellent organizational skills.
• Excellent customer service skills and demonstrated ability to communicate with a broad range of people is essential.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to multi-task and prioritize.
• Ability to work well and establish effective working relationships with a wide variety of faculty, staff, and students while creating a high-quality and respectful work environment.
• Must be comfortable working in an environment where change in process is the norm.
• Must have and maintain reliable transportation and a valid NYS Driver's License and be cleared to drive for university business with occasional trips being required.

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Relocation assistance will not be provided for this position.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in business administration, agriculture, education, communications, natural resources, or related field preferred.
• University fiscal management certification
• Spanish proficiency and/or ability to lead in bilingual work environments.
• Experience in human resource management.
• Experience working with limited English proficiency audiences.
• Enthusiasm for supporting entry into farming as a career is a plus.

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Noted pay ranges reflect the potential pay opportunity for each job profile. The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

• Prior relevant work or industry experience
• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position
• Unique applicable skills
• Academic Discipline

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EEO Statement:

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Cornell University embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff to all identities and backgrounds. We encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.