Food Systems Specialist -Oriskany, NY

Cornell University · New York City · $65,000–$70,000 (stated in the posting)

The Food Systems Specialist will concentrate efforts on broadening the scope of the local and state food system network. This position plays a key role in advancing initiatives that strengthen connections between Upstate New York producers and New York City consumers, helping to expand market opportunities for Upstate New York farms, improve access to locally produced foods, and support a more resilient food system. The Food Systems Specialist will participate in, coordinate, and assist with initiatives to strengthen the local food system economic infrastructure, enabling an efficient, sustainable food corridor within New York State. This initiative aims to educate, provide resources, and coordinate efforts of those integrated in the food supply chain, providing opportunity, sustainability, and enhancements in economic and infrastructure security to the agricultural community and larger New York food system. The Food System Specialist will integrate themselves into various tiers of the food system supply chain as a community resource for local food promotion while ensuring funding objectives are met by working with food system stakeholders to promote and enhance the economic prosperity of New York agriculture.
The successful candidate is expected to work independently with a high level of autonomy while building and maintaining relationships with government officials, agricultural organizations, and community partners to support New York State food systems. This positions start date is tentatively scheduled for November 16th, 2026.

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, agribusiness, economics, marketing, business, or related field.
Working knowledge and experience related to agriculture and farming.
Ability to plan, manage, and/or implement projects and educational programs.
Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate (verbally and written) with and provide guidance to a variety of groups, including community partners, community members, agricultural stakeholders, government officials, and CCE staff to meet individual and community needs.
Ability to multi-task, prioritize and work as part of a team.
Demonstrated ability to manage grant projects and contracts.
Ability to meet the frequent travel requirements associated with this position. Willingness to work flexible hours including nights and/or weekends.
Demonstrated competencies in communicating via electronic technologies and software.
At least one year of professional experience dealing with the public or private sectors of agricultural industry and/or promoting and enhancing agricultural development within the context of more general county and region-wide economic development goals and vision.
Capacity to link industry and producer needs with available expertise and to apply expert information to local situations.
Experience with and knowledge of the challenges facing agriculture locally in New York State.
Proficiency or ability to learn and effectively use software including use of the internet and Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Publisher, Excel).
Ability to meet acceptable background check standards.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience with Cooperative Extension or other similar educational organizations.

Position Details:

Expected Weekly Hours: 40 hours per week- Onsite Position.

Wage: Annual Salary of $65,000- $70,000

Location: Oneida County CCE office in Oriskany, NY . No remote work available.

Benefits: Great Benefits; including spectacular time off!

• 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

12 Paid holidays, 2 floating holidays (can be used at any time of year),21 vacation days, 4 personal days and 15 sick days per year

Program Development- 5%

Apply subject matter knowledge to provide input in the creation of innovative educational programs around developing successful agriculturally based businesses.
Support the research, identification, and selection of existing resources for the program.
Create program materials to address client needs in local farming communities.
Interpret Association program direction to create educational programs, ensuring program development is within local and statewide Plans of Work.
Maintain direct linkage with Cornell University faculty and program units and regional ag communities for program development guidance.

Program Delivery – 30%

Apply subject matter knowledge of agricultural business development in the delivery of educational programming using a variety of methodologies including teaching program participants via workshops, consultations, and media.
Foster acceptance of program, methods, and policies to address community and individual needs.
Serve as subject matter resource in agricultural marketing and business development to provide moderately complex nonstandard responses to questions specific to individual farms/businesses.
Interact with food system stakeholders (farmers, processors, distributors, aggregators, food hubs, etc) in a positive manner, helping them make informed decisions to meet desired goals.
Coordinate positive relationships between local farms and other food system stakeholders to enhance agribusiness connectivity and encourage economic development within the agricultural sector.
Represent CCE before the public and local agricultural communities, community leaders, government officials, Cornell, or other land grant universities as part of program delivery.
Involvement in multidisciplinary and/or multi-association team efforts to deliver programming when appropriate.
Maintain direct linkage with Cornell University faculty and program units and regional ag communities for program delivery guidance.
Ensure program delivery is within scope of local and statewide Plans of Work.

Program Evaluation – 5%

Interact with program participants, association staff, program committees, county/community leaders, and other key stakeholders to collect evaluation data for improving program offerings.
Analyze collected program evaluation data for reporting and program improvement purposes using standard, established policy, procedure and methods.
Communicate evaluation results and findings with appropriate parties.
Assist with recommendations for change(s) to strengthen and improve programmatic offerings.

Administrative Responsibilities:

Direction – 25%

Plan the delivery of program goals and priorities.
Identify activities and resources necessary to implement initiatives and projects.
Identify community and fiscal resources for program continuance and enhancement.
Regularly provide supervisor with program related information to assist with budget development process and fund usage.
Plan effective external and internal program communication & marketing efforts to promote and coordinate program objectives.
Assist with development of grant ideas, programs and narrative based on data collected and knowledge of county, industry, and food supply chain.
With discretion, plan effective marketing strategies, public affairs and special events to reach target audiences and meet program objectives.
Integrate other internal and external ag programming into program direction.

Management – 25%

Provide guidance on the assigned educational program and program activities to ensure they conform to the Association’s Plan of Work.
Monitor program to ensure educational content conforms to guidelines, policies, and objectives of the association and is research-based.
Monitor income/expenses to ensure spending is within budget constraints.
Identify, develop, and enhance the network of collaborating food system stakeholder agencies, industries, and organizations.
Identify potential internal and external opportunities within the program objectives to develop relationships with and collaboratively work with community, county, and state agencies, organizations, and industries.
Collaborate with local growers and stakeholders to obtain realistic, achievable advancements to the food supply chain network in New York State.
Demonstrate judgement and discretion to independently solve problems and resolve conflicts that arise in the program utilizing appropriate policies and procedures, as needed.
Effectively allocate financial resources to accomplish program objectives.
Guide the implementation of communication strategies.

Coordination/Operation – 5%

Coordinate, compile and maintain teaching materials.
Maintain communication with constituents and the community through multimodal means such as program newsletters, emails, media, and others.
Implement established program schedule adhering to grant timeline.
Collect data (including but not limited to evaluation data) from program participants and needs assessment data based on existing framework.
Provide information for preparation of reports, impact statements, and success stories on program progress and accomplishments for funders, advisory committees, Board and others as necessary.
Assist in coordinating program implementation activities and planning efforts.
Effectively maintain existing professional relationships with other agencies, industries, organizations, and businesses promoting effective communication and facilitating continued programmatic efforts.
On frequent basis, transports self and program materials to various programs in personal vehicle.
Prepare and submit expense reports.

Professional Improvement & 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 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.

Job Title:

Association Program Manager

Level:

003

Pay Rate Type:

Salary

Company:

Contract College

Contact Name:

Regina Lowder

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.

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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