Agriculture OPT Jobs in New York

INTRODUCTION

This position will serve as an Ag in the Classroom Educator for Cornell Cooperative Extension Association of Broome County and under the leadership and oversight of the Associate Director, will provide in class programming at various school districts within Broome County and beyond. This position is responsible for lesson planning, preparation, and instruction. The Ag in the Classroom programming will foster awareness, understanding, and appreciation of how food and fiber is produced, how people eat, and how people live by helping teachers, students, and their communities learn about and engage in agriculture, food systems and the environment. Students will work to develop an understanding of careers in agriculture. The Educator will utilize established curriculum in program work through the NYS Ag in the Classroom program. This position will coordinate programming and activities that foster relationships that engage community leaders as integral partners in outreach efforts, and will work closely with the Associate Director and school district leaders to expand/develop strong Ag in the Classroom programming.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS:

All applicants must apply online by close of day on May 18, 2026 to be considered for this position. All applicants must submit a complete application online, which includes: cover letter, resume and three (3) references.

All External Applicants (including applicants currently employed by Cornell Cooperative Extension in Associations other than the Association advertising this career opportunity) must submit his/her application materials via the "APPLY" button located within this job posting.

All Internal Applicants (current employees working for the Association advertising this career opportunity) must apply online via his/her Workday account, which may be accessed here: http://workday.cornell.edu/.

Please contact Carol Fetterman, Human Resources at 607-772-8953 with questions.

POSITION DETAILS:

This position is a full-time, non-exempt position, 37.5 hours per week. The hourly rate for this position is $21.63. This position, based on eligibility, offers a comprehensive benefit package, to include: health and dental insurance, NYS retirement, vacation, sick and personal leave.

POSITION INFORMATION:

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in related field: Education, Agriculture, Horticulture and/or Animal Science or Equivalent Education (Associate’s Degree and two (2) years transferable program/functional experience).
• Experience relevant to the role of the position.
• Valid NYS 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.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Coursework or experience in Education, Agriculture and teaching to a youth audience.
• Experience with Cooperative Extension or other similar educational organizations.
• Strong interpersonal skills with proven ability to work effectively with advisory boards and committees, community and funding partners.
• Demonstrated ability to initiate, plan, organize, implement, teach, and evaluate informal educational programs.
• 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 verbal, written and visual channels using traditional methods and educational tools, as well as electronic technology (e.g., video, audio, computers, etc.).
• Demonstrated ability to identify and utilize program resources from the organization and the community.
• Demonstrated ability to relate effectively to co-workers, advisors, community and professional leaders.
• Demonstrated ability to plan and organize personal work responsibilities according to priorities developed with the immediate supervisor.
• Proficiency with windows-based software including use of the internet and Microsoft Office Suite including Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Publisher, and Excel.

Responsibilities/Essential Functions:

Program Responsibilities:

Program Delivery, Evaluation and Applied Research - 80%

• Teach innovative Ag in the Classroom educational programs in local elementary schools.
• Utilize a wide variety of proven educational methodologies in program delivery efforts.
• Occasionally apply existing subject matter knowledge to create lesson plans necessary to deliver high-quality educational programming.
• Serve as subject matter resource in programming area to staff and participants, community organizations and the general public.
• Work to foster acceptance of the Ag in the Classroom Program, methods and policies while addressing community and individual needs and considering diverse audiences.
• Teach a menu of educational Ag in the Classroom programs and activities in support of the established Plan of Work.
• Provide Ag in the Classroom educational program efforts via mass media.
• Serve as a team member and cooperate with the entire Association and Youth and Family Program staff to achieve Association program delivery goals.
• Implement program evaluation as designed.
• Implement student evaluation as designed.
• Interact with program participants to obtain evaluation data.
• Assist in the process of analyzing program data, and based on that analysis, assist in making recommendations for improvements in program offerings.
• Communicate evaluation findings to constituents as appropriate.

Administrative Responsibilities:

Direction and Management - 5%

• Work in cooperation with team members to help establish local program priorities and objectives for the Ag in the Classroom Program.
• Assist with planning the delivery of established Ag in the Classroom Program goals.
• Assist in planning educational programs and program delivery initiatives in assigned programming areas.
• Assist in the planning of program fund development activities as appropriate.
• Assist the Associate Director and other 4-H Youth Development and Agriculture in the Classroom team members in planning major public events and programs, including the planning of mass media efforts related to upcoming events and programs.
• Assist in performing moderately complex administrative tasks in solving problems and resolving conflicts within the program, in accordance with existing policies and procedures.
• Assist Agricultural Resource Educator in monitoring the Ag in the Classroom Program to ensure the educational content conforms to research base and objectives of the Association.
• Assist in monitoring program income and expenses to ensure spending is within the constraints of the program budget.
• Support the allocation of financial resources to accomplish program objectives.
• Assist Agricultural Resource Educator in managing Ag in the Classroom fund development activities.

Coordination/Operation - 10%

• Assist Agriculture in the Classroom Educators in organizing and coordinating all program activities related to Ag in the Classroom programming.
• Assist Agriculture in Classroom Educators in coordinating program activities that foster community involvement and participation/support of community leaders in Ag in the Classroom programming efforts.
• Effectively maintain professional relationships with other agencies, organizations and businesses that promote effective communication and facilitate continued programming efforts.
• Assist Agriculture in the Classroom Educators in the coordination of effective marketing strategies in the promotion of programming efforts to include, but not limited to: print media, news media, social media, and multi-media efforts.
• Collect evaluation data and program needs assessments from program participants based on existing evaluation framework and guidelines.
• This position may require the transport of program participants and/or program materials and resources in performing position responsibilities.

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.

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 Subject Educator I

Level: 004

Pay Rate Type: Hourly

Company: Contract College

Contact Name: Jerilynn Cross

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.