Adirondack Harvest Program Leader

This position will serve as the Adirondack Harvest Program Leader for Cornell Cooperative Extension Association of Essex County and will work under the direction and supervision of the Agriculture and Local Food Team Leader. This position will provide direction, management and coordination of all aspects of the Adirondack Harvest Program. This position may support other CCE programs in this capacity as programming expands and/or community partnerships change. This position will grow all Adirondack Harvest program outreach, communication strategies, and events. The preparation for and implementation of the Adirondack Harvest Festival will comprise a significant portion of the job duties.

• Master’s Degree or Equivalent Education (Bachelor’s Degree and 4 years transferrable relevant evidence-based research experience).
• Experience relevant to the role of the position.
• Valid New York State Driver’s License and the ability to meet travel requirements associated with this position.
• Ability to work flexible hours which may include evenings and/or weekends, as appropriate.

• Experience in digital marketing and communication.
• Experience managing and updating a website through platforms like WordPress.
• Experience with email marketing through a platform like Constant Contact.
• Experience managing advertising campaigns via Meta Ads platform (Facebook and Instagram).
• Experience using Google Analytics to track and report data.
• Experience with event development and management.
• Strong interpersonal skills with proven ability to work effectively with co-workers, advisory boards and committees, community and funding partners.
• Demonstrated strong ability to utilize a variety of marketing channels to effectively target outreach for fundraisers and other events.
• Demonstrated ability to write a marketing plan and have effective marketing practices.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively participate in professional team efforts.
• Demonstrated ability and willingness to work with diverse audiences and maintain cultural sensitivity.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively through oral, written and visual means.
• Demonstrated ability to utilize computer technologies for educational and communication purposes (i.e. Internet, Microsoft Office Suite, etc).

• Support the development of Adirondack Harvest marketing materials and ensure messaging and branding is consistent with CCE Essex’s marketing goals.
• Support the development of interview questions and storylines for professional videography shoots.
• Support the strategic direction and/or expansion of the Adirondack Harvest program.
• Support the drafting and managing of the Adirondack Harvest Program budget.
• Build relationships with current and potential Adirondack Harvest members across the Adirondack Region and collect feedback to understand how to best serve our members and agricultural communities as it relates to program development.

• Educate members about Adirondack Harvest program impacts, member benefits, and other CCE/Cornell resources available to them.
• Provide marketing training and consultation to Adirondack Harvest members if applicable
• Work to foster acceptance of the Adirondack Harvest program, methods and policies while addressing community and individual needs and considering diverse audiences.
• Serve as a team member and cooperate with the entire Association and Adirondack Harvest Program staff to achieve Association program delivery goals.
• Speak and present at relevant regional events to promote the work of CCE Essex/Adirondack Harvest, make new partnerships, and encourage program growth.
• Work with other CCE Essex staff to organize all components, including educational resources, of the annual Adirondack Harvest Festival.
• Implement program evaluation as designed.
• Monitor and report digital data using tools such as Google Analytics, third-party SEO, social media analytics, advertising stats, email stats, Google Search Trends, pre and post-event surveys, latest research etc.

• Strategize and plan a comprehensive educational communications strategy: including but not limited to press outreach, digital and print advertising, email marketing, print materials, social media, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), email marketing, videography and content marketing).
• Work with Adirondack Harvest team to plan community events,
• Strategize and plan for the distribution of educational outreach materials.
• Strategize and plan for professional videography shoots.
• Act as point of contact for third-party contract workers, such as graphic designers, photographers, and journalists. Clearly communicate expectations of delivered work, maintain a schedule of deliverables, negotiate pay rates, oversee quality of work, provide feedback, ensure deliverables meet the goals of the program/association.
• Act as point of contact for adirondackharvest.com website, make updates and improvements and work with third-party web developer to resolve issues to meet current industry standards. Write website copy, manage and update content.
• Manage paid advertising strategy and budget for Adirondack Harvest program. Analyze data and determine the maximum ROI on all marketing and advertising spending for the program. Negotiate with vendors as needed. Monitoring analytics, and adjusting strategy as needed.
• Recruit and manage volunteers for the program including at major events.
• Support efforts to secure funding for the program, such as grant writing.

• Write and distribute press releases with appropriate calls to action, tone, and quotes from influential partners.
• Write engaging and educational content that increases awareness of agricultural offerings in the Adirondack region to be published digitally and in print.
• Direct video/photoshoots at local farms and small businesses to use for promotional use on web and in print to promote awareness of agriculture in the region.
• Manage and grow a segmented email marketing program, write and curate content.
• Post relevant educational and program focused content to social media (Adirondack Harvest and Adirondack Harvest Festival pages on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn). Complete grant and program reports.
• Design or work with graphic designers to create content for Adirondack Harvest program
• Effectively maintain existing professional relationships with other agencies, organizations and businesses that promote effective communication and facilitate continued programming efforts.
• This position may require the transport of program participants and/or program materials and resources in performing position responsibilities.
• Work with other CCE Essex staff to carry out the annual Adirondack Harvest Festival.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.
• Be aware of, and adhere to, established Cornell Cooperative Extension Association of Essex County policies and procedures.
• Contribute to the overall success of the organization by performing all assigned duties in a professional, timely, and accurate manner.

Association Program Leader I 003 Hourly Contract College Jerilynn Cross