Stream Educator

~ 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

The Stream Educator will work as a team member with existing Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County (CCEUC) staff to develop and deliver stream management education and outreach projects at the Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program (AWSMP).

The AWSMP is a cooperative program of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County, the Ulster County Soil and Water Conservation District, and the New York City Department of Environmental Protection. The position is supervised by the CCEUC Project Manager for Environment and Natural Resources and stationed at the AWSMP office in Shokan, NY.

Responsibilities

Program Assessment - 5%:

• May assist in identifying gaps and trends in community knowledge of stream process and stream management topics.
• May assist with developing program needs assessments.
• May assist in analysis of program needs and making recommendations for program offerings, enhancement or improvements.

Program Development - 35%:

• Develop educational strategies using knowledge of stream process, geomorphology and related stream management topics.
• Create innovative educational programs. An emphasis is placed on developing programs that creatively bring stakeholders and watershed residents into contact with field study and observation of streams and stream management activities. Field and classroom experiences should be tailored to develop participant understanding of stream process and stream management.
• Research, identify and select existing resources for educational programs.
• Create program materials, such as presentations, written handouts, and talking points that address the educational needs of watershed audiences.
• Work on inter-disciplinary work groups to develop program content.
• Incorporate the results of engineering studies and field assessments into educational content, including local analyses and case studies from similar physiographic regions with comparable stream management issues.
• Identify gaps in available educational materials and share specific needs with the CCEUC Project Manager to further program development.
• Structure programs to meet the needs of diverse program participants.
• Create programs that engage under-represented watershed audiences, which may include women, minorities, immigrants, and young adults and families.
• Maintain a direct linkage with AWSMP project managers to obtain development guidance.
• Develop programs to meet changing local issues.
• Make programmatic changes based on evaluation outcomes.
• Use an established two-year action planning process that involves stakeholders in the program development process and expresses the demographics of the community.
• Ensure program direction is within the scope of the County Association and AWSMP annual work plan.

Program Delivery - 20%:

• Apply knowledge of stream process and watershed science in the Catskill region of NY to the creation of lessons and educational plans for program delivery.
• Teach innovative educational programs with discretion.
• Provide programs in classroom, office, and field settings.
• Provide educational programs via internet such as webinar and mass media such as video posted online, or radio or television.
• Participate in multi-disciplinary efforts to deliver programs, particularly with stream scientists and other environmental resource professionals.
• May teach as part of an inter-disciplinary team delivering programs.
• Deliver scientifically accurate information that incorporates applied fluvial geomorphology concepts appropriate to Catskill stream settings.
• Deliver the results of engineering studies, field assessments, and local stream management plan recommendations.
• Serve as a subject matter expert in the area of stream process, geomorphology and management. Provide non-standard responses to questions.
• Interact with members of the watershed public.
• Represent CCE before the public, community leaders, and government officials as part of program delivery.
• Use proven educational methodologies to deliver content.
• Ensure that program delivery is within the scope of the County Association and AWSMP annual work plan.

Program Evaluation - 10%:

• Apply subject matter knowledge to evaluate educational programs.
• Design or create program evaluation frameworks.
• Implement program evaluation.
• Based on established program parameters, interpret evaluation data.
• Communicate evaluation results and findings.
• Make recommendations for improvements.

Applied Research - 10%:

• Assist with stream assessments in the field over a 6-week period each year.
• Assist fisheries scientists with fish community survey at monitoring locations in the Ashokan watershed over 5-10 days per year.
• Visually assess and record stream characteristics such as geomorphic and geological attributes.
• Perform stream channel surveys to determine erosion rates and other hydraulic and hydrological variables.
• Collect GPS data, take digital pictures and notes.

Administrative Responsibilities:

Direction - 5%:

• Work with the CCEUC Project Manager to plan the delivery of education program goals.
• Participate as a team member in annual education and outreach planning for Association Environment Program and the AWSMP. Contribute to development of a two-year AWSMP Action Plan.
• Provide details on the feasibility of delivering educational programs to assist with planning their delivery.
• Develop budget item estimates related to delivery of education programs.
• Provide input on communications strategies for reaching watershed audiences.

Management - 5%:

• Monitor education program implementation steps and whether project milestones have been achieved.
• Facilitate and oversee volunteer staffing plans and duties for education events.
• Assist with solving problems and resolving conflicts that arise during the delivery of education programs using appropriate policies and procedures.
• Monitor program expenses to ensure spending is within provided limits.
• Provide guidance to volunteers participating in programs and events.

Coordination/Operation - 5%:

• Implement the stream process and management education program schedule established through AWSMP annual planning.
• Coordinate development of education project objectives, actions, tasks, activities and schedules with AWSMP staff and internal/external work groups.
• Implement education project schedules.
• Implement volunteer staffing plans and duties for education events.
• Create agendas for project delivery planning meetings.
• Assemble event supplies and program materials for delivery.
• Communicate project schedules and meeting agendas and objectives to project work groups.
• Inform AWSMP staff and project working groups of education program developments on a regular basis and as needed to ensure project success.
• Develop project reports and summaries on a quarterly and annual basis, and as needed, to meeting Association and funding agency requirements.
• Assist with implementation of advertising and marketing of program activities.
• Transport self and materials to program delivery and research sites.

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.

Health and Safety - Applies 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 - Applies 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 Ulster County policies and procedures, and 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:

• Master’s Degree and 2 years’ volunteer or related work experience.
• Graduate level coursework in water science, environmental science, and watershed studies; or equivalent experience.
• Experience teaching adults.
• Experience working with the public.
• Experience understanding and carrying out education program tasks and objectives.
• Ability to deliver factually accurate, science-based educational programming.
• Ability to communicate clearly verbally.
• Ability to research a technical topic and prepare referenced written educational materials.
• Ability to prepare reports of program activities, methods and outcomes.
• Ability to communicate electronically.
• Ability to work outdoors in environmental settings of the Catskills (steep areas, wet conditions, uneven ground, etc.).
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to understand and implement written and oral instructions.
• Ability to meet travel requirements associated with this position, particularly travel within the watershed.
• Ability to learn new topics in stream science and natural science subject matter.
• Ability to work with and touch live animals (fish, aquatic insects, etc.).
• Ability to meet required background checks.
• Ability to work flexible hours that will include evenings and/or weekends, as appropriate.
• Ability to lift 20-50 lbs.
• Moderate to advanced computer skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Graduate level coursework preferably in water engineering science, geomorphology, hydrology, geology, and ecology; or equivalent experience.
• Experience delivering field-based education programs.
• Ability to use Esri ArcGIS computer software.
• Experience developing written materials for inclusion in media and advertising products such as press releases, articles, and flyers.

Compensation: This is a full time, exempt position with an annual salary of $49,000 to $54,000 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.

To Apply

Please be sure to click here and follow the application instruction provided on our website.

All applications must be received on-line by March 23, 2017.  Position closing dates may change based on Association needs.

~ 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 support of diversity are strongly encouraged to apply. ~