Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator

~ 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.  ~

As provided in New York State County Law Article 5, Section 224, the independent county and regional extension service associations are locally operated under the direction of Cornell University as agent for the State of New York.  County and regional extension service association employees are employed by their association to engage in educational work and are not employees of Cornell University.  Look for us on the web here.

Position Overview

Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) of Saratoga County is seeking a full time qualified and experienced incumbent to work under the supervision of the Association Team Leader (Capital/Mohawk PRISM Coordinator), the Aquatic Invasive Species (“AIS”) Coordinator will be responsible for coordinating, managing, planning, and delivering of aquatic invasive species prevention and management programs.

Additionally, the position provides technical leadership and support to partner organizations; collects and summarizes field data into reports; and maintains the organizations tools and equipment. The coordinator will be responsible for public education and outreach regarding slowing the spread and prevention of aquatic invasive species throughout the Capital/Mohawk Region. 

The AIS Coordinator is also responsible for supervising the seasonal Capital/Mohawk PRISM AIS Watercraft Launch Stewards. The Stewards are responsible for public education, outreach, and data collection regarding slowing the spread and prevention of AIS. The Coordinator and Stewards provide education and outreach at various public boat launch sites, public events and programs throughout the Capital/ Mohawk Region. The AIS Coordinator also trains volunteers from partner organizations on the AIS data collection process.

Responsibilities

Program Delivery - 10%

• Teach the existing educational program designed to reduce the spread of aquatic invasive species throughout the region.
• Conduct existing public education and outreach programs regarding the significance NY’s aquatic ecosystems and the impact of the spread of AIS in these ecosystems throughout the Capital/Mohawk PRISM region via community events, presentations, outreach material.
• Disseminate educational information, press releases, and website updates as requested as part of the program delivery process.
• Foster acceptance of AIS program, methods and policies to address community and individual needs and consider diverse audiences.
• Train AIS partner organization volunteers on program delivery and the data collection method via tablets and other methods.
• Utilizing established materials, serve as subject matter resource in discipline; provide standard responses.
• May assist in providing moderately complex nonstandard responses.
• Interact with program participants.
• Represent CCE before the public, community leaders, government officials, Cornell or other land grant universities as part of program delivery.
• Provide informal AIS education and collect related data at boat launch sites when AIS Watercraft Launch Stewards are unavailable.
• Utilize a variety of proven educational methodologies.
• Provide educational program efforts via mass media. May assist in multidisciplinary team efforts to deliver program.
• May assist in teaching innovative educational programs.
• May assist in multi-association team efforts to deliver program.
• May assist in ensuring that program delivery is within scope of the statewide Plan of Work.

Administrative Responsibilities

Direction - 5%

Program Direction:

• May provide limited-complexity administrative tasks to plan the AIS educational program.
• Provide input to the Team Leader to assist in planning the structure and delivery of established educational program goals.

Financial Direction:

• May provide low complexity administrative tasks in anticipating or planning for AIS program expenses.
• Assist in proposing unit budget based on established financial guidelines or procedures.
• Assist in allocating unit budget amounts.

Communications/ Marketing Direction:

• May provide limited complexity administrative tasks in planning for mass media efforts related to AIS programs.
• Assist in developing communication strategies.

Staffing Direction:

• Perform tasks related to supervisory (typically for seasonal employees) responsibility as applicable.

Management - 10%

General management:

• Provide moderately complex administrative management support to the AIS program.
• Assist in solving problems and resolving conflicts that arise in the operation of AIS program, utilizing appropriate policies and procedures.

Program Management:

• Provide low-complexity administrative management of established educational program goals.
• Under the guidance of the Association Team Leader and in collaboration with then AIS Committee, assist in developing AIS Management Plan for the Capital/Mohawk Region.
• Manage AIS tablets and program data collected by Stewards and volunteers from partner organizations. Support volunteer involvement.

Staffing Management:

• Perform tasks related to supervisory responsibility as applicable.
• Recruit seasonal AIS Watercraft Launch Stewards. Schedule seasonal AIS Watercraft Launch Stewards, ensuring coverage at all program locations as needed.
• Provide supervision to the seasonal AIS Watercraft Launch Stewards.
• Addresses Steward and volunteer adherence to AIS program delivery standards, attendance, personal appearance, etc.
• Escalates issues as needed to the Association Team Leader.
• Provide frequent check ins and on-call assistance to AIS Watercraft Launch stewards during their shifts via phone and on-site assistance.
• Carries out supervisory responsibilities under the guidance of the Team Leader and in accordance with the Association’s policies and applicable laws.
• Responsibilities include assisting with interviewing, and hiring seasonal staff; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
• Assist in assuring positive, team-based employee relations.
• Ensure the seasonal AIS Watercraft Launch stewards enter their field data correctly and in a timely manner.

Communications/Marketing Management:

• May provide low-complexity administrative tasks in guiding the implementation of communication strategies on the AIS program.

Coordination/Operation - 70%

General Coordination:

• Provide a substantial amount of moderately complex tasks related to AIS program needs.
• Effectively maintain existing professional relationships with other agencies, organizations and businesses that promote effective communication and facilitate continued programming efforts.
• Orient and train seasonal AIS Stewards on program delivery and the data collection methods via tablets.
• Meets or exceeds targeted AIS program goals assigned by the Team Leader.

Program Coordination:

• Provide moderately complex administrative tasks to support the delivery of established educational program goals.
• Implement the established AIS Watercraft program schedule.
• Schedule AIS events, meetings and trainings to foster contact and relationship building with constituent audiences. 
• Maintain teaching materials and program supplies necessary for AIS program applying existing subject matter knowledge.
• Coordinate, compile and organize existing program resources and program materials.
• Collect AIS Watercraft Launch data via tablets based on existing framework.
• Tabulate, compile and manipulate collected AIS data for program reporting purposes.
• Coordinate the program implementation efforts, planning and activities.
• Coordinate efforts with partner organizations, such as but not limited to lake associations.
• Collect program needs assessment information through interactions with program participants, based on existing framework.
• On a frequent basis transports self, also frequently lifting, moving and/or transporting program materials and resources to watercraft launch and other community-based settings. 
• 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.

Financial Coordination/ Operation:

• Provide moderately complex administrative tasks in assisting the Team Leader with the implementation of the AIS program budget.
• Assist in allocating unit budget amounts.
• Prepare and submit expense report.
• Provide input to supervisor for budget preparation.

Communications/Marketing Coordination:

• Provide routine low-complexity administrative support to conducting mass media efforts related to the AIS program.
• Assist in implementing a shared Association vision, building understanding around the mission and the advancement of the mission.
• Draft standard and nonstandard reports and communications, requiring only occasional guidance from supervisor.
• Assist with coordination of marketing and promotion of the AIS programming through public relation initiatives and networking/collaborating with government, economic, educational and other organizations.

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.
• Collaborate in activities that are in general support of Cornell Cooperative Extension and perform other duties as assigned.

Additional Responsibilities

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 Saratoga 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.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in natural resources, environmental studies, environmental science, recreation, wildlife or related fields related field. Associate Degree in related field and 2 years’ transferrable program experience may substitute for a Bachelor’s degree.
• Ability to deliver, plan, manage and coordinate informal educational programs. 
• Ability to meet frequent travel requirements associated with this position. 
• A valid NYS driver's license with the ability to drive and driving record acceptable for agency insurance coverage are required. Frequent use of personal vehicle for driving between work sites is required.
• Ability to meet acceptable background check requirements.
• Ability to work flexible hours which frequently includes evenings, weekends and holidays, as appropriate.
• Ability to effectively participate in professional team efforts.
• Ability to utilize program resources within the community.
• Ability to read English and interpret documents such instructions, safety and procedure manuals.  Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. 
• Ability to plan and organize personal work responsibilities according to priorities developed with team members and immediate supervisor.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully market program though social, print and other media, resulting in robust program participation.
• Demonstrated experience in running meetings and planning events for the public.
• High level of organizational skills.

Ability to perform the following functions with or without reasonable accommodation:

• Frequently work in outdoor weather conditions including extreme heat, precipitation and cold.
• Frequently lift, move or transport program materials.
• Constantly perform and demonstrate proper AIS preventative boat cleaning and launching techniques by frequently positioning self (for example, pulling, bending, reaching, touching, kneeling, using hands to feel/reach) at launch sites and other program areas.

Computer Skills:

• Experienced with or ability to learn Microsoft Office suite, especially Word, Excel and Outlook.
• Prior experience using a tablet or the ability to learn how to use a tablet for data entry purposes, and to use this data to create a year-end report.

Communication Skills:

• Strong verbal communication, writing and environmental interpretation skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively through oral, written, and visual channels and educational tools. 
• Ability to communicate with program participants effectively through oral, written, and visual channels using traditional tools and methods, as well as electronic technology (e.g., video, audio, computers, etc.).  
• Ability to frequently and effectively communicate verbally and in writing with program participants’ employees and others. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with AIS plant and other aquatic plant identification and management, project coordination, supervising staff, data collection, processing and analysis, geographic information systems, global positioning systems.
• Writing, desktop publishing, public speaking/education proficiency.
• Experience operating and navigating small watercraft.
• Supervisory experience preferred.

Compensation: This is a full time position. Compensation paid at the rate of $15/per hour, commensurate with experience. 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
• No relocation or VISA Sponsorship available

To Apply

Please click "Apply on Company Website" below. All applications must be received on-line by February 23, 2018. Position closing dates may change based on Association needs.