Executive Director – Stony Point, NY

Cornell Cooperative Extension is an innovative leader in non-formal education in New York State. Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) embodies the values of collaboration, community engagement, credibility, diversity and inclusion, partnership, and volunteerism. CCE strives for excellence in responding to current and emerging needs in NYS communities. The Cornell Cooperative Extension Rockland County Executive Director is expected to lead CCE Rockland County’s staff and manage a budget of $1,145,317 in these efforts.

The Executive Director for the Cornell Cooperative Extension Association of Rockland County reports directly to the association Board of Directors and is accountable to the Director of the Cornell Cooperative Extension System. The Executive Director is responsible for the association and leading the development and implementation of a compelling and contemporary vision for non-formal, locally relevant extension programming, and a dynamic and diverse organizational culture for all internal and external stakeholders. The Executive Director is engaged with decision makers locally, regionally, state-wide and at Cornell.

The Executive Director provides high level administrative leadership and management of the association within Cornell University, Cornell Cooperative Extension System, and local policy direction and is responsible for organizational compliance, fiscal oversight, and staff management.

The Executive Director is responsible for guiding and managing local human resource staff, interpreting and applying personnel policies, and ensuring legal compliance with relevant laws and policies. The Executive Director will employ association best practices identified by Extension Administration, the regional Shared Business Network (SBN) and Extension Cornell faculty, and stakeholders as locally appropriate. The Executive Director is responsible for initiating, developing, and sustaining effective relationships with legislators, local government leaders, community leaders, funding agencies, and civic groups.

The Executive Director exercises professional judgment and executive skills in all aspects of their leadership and conduct in administering overall association operation. The Executive Director provides leadership for the association’s program development and implementation, recommends program priorities for Board approval, and provides leadership for the ongoing development of a welcoming and inclusive organizational climate for diversity, and program integration across disciplines and within the broader Extension System. The Executive Director is expected to develop enhanced revenue streams. The Executive Director will sustain and grow association programming under the direction of the Board of Directors and provide leadership and oversight to all staff, volunteers, support for the Board of Directors, financial oversight of the budget, and oversight of facilities (office location).

• Master’s Degree appropriate to the responsibilities of the position.
• Minimum of six (6) years of related experience, including four (4) years in a leadership capacity relevant to the role of the position (PhD may substitute for 1 year of experience).
• Demonstrated experience in the operation, philosophy, and objectives of a non-formal education system such as Cooperative Extension.
• Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, and the ability to establish and communicate goals and objectives, and to set meaningful and achievable Plans-of-Work.
• Demonstrated experience to staff, develop, motivate, and work with personnel (paid staff, Board, committees, and implementation volunteers).
• Demonstrated experience in effective management practices and procedures, including a working knowledge of fiscal planning, budget development and management of multiple funding streams of restricted and unrestricted funding, proposal writing, and grantsmanship.
• Demonstrated experience working with diverse populations, contributing to organizational diversity efforts, and/or evidence of cultural competence.
• Success in integrating diversity in the major duties outlined in the position description or demonstrated equivalent transferable skills to do so.
• Demonstrated experience in communication and public relations strategies.
• Demonstrated experience to work with the general public, community leaders and government officials, and to assess local community issues.
• Demonstrated experience of fund development, grantsmanship and revenue enhancement.
• Demonstrated effective use of varied oral and written communication methods (e.g., radio, TV, print, computer, social media, and meetings).
• Demonstrated ability to respond decisively, accurately, confidently, and courteously to challenges and opportunities.
• A commitment to being a strong physical presence in the county to build community connections with constituencies, local organizations, and community leaders.
• Working knowledge of state-of-the-art technology, such as web-based video conference and cloud-based collaboration, and the ability to apply it to administrative and educational functions.
• 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.
• Ability to transport supplies and equipment with or without accommodation.
• Ability to clearly communicate and to read and write in English.
• Ability to demonstrate engagement in the association by regularly providing in-person organizational leadership and oversight.

• Substantial coursework and/or experience in education preferred.
• Substantial training or experience with applied research, non-formal education and/or public outreach.
• Knowledge and experience in agriculture, nutrition, healthy living, environmental, and youth educational programming.
• Willing to become a visible community member/leader of Rockland County.

• Vision, Mission and Strategies – Working with the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will encourage and ensure local application and engagement with the CCE mission, vision and values.
• Regional Operations – As appropriate to the association, actively pursue opportunities with the Shared Business Network to expand program capacity, improve administrative efficiency, and reduce operation expenses with other CCE associations.

• Oversee the creation of the association Plans of Work, within the scope of the CCE statewide Plan of Work, to guide the work and desired outcomes of all association programs.
• Oversee the process of interpreting association program direction to assess, develop, plan and evaluate educational programs.
• Oversee the process of interpreting University program direction to assess, develop, plan and evaluate educational programs; facilitate connections between university staff/faculty and association program staff.
• Provide leadership for the program development process, including the establishment of priorities, a staffing plan, resource acquisition and allocation, and the evaluation process, to assure program quality, to consider the diversity of the community, and to meet Equal Program Opportunity guidelines.
• Design a process for ongoing involvement of citizens which expresses the demographics of the community.

• Oversee and lead the budget development process by engaging appropriate Board members and staff, and present to Board for approval.
• Establish fund development strategies in compliance with CCE standards and policies, in partnership with Board members and appropriate staff.

• Develop a clear, concise shared association vision, build understanding around the mission and develop goals and strategies to advance the mission.
• Develop and/or enhance/expand relationships with appropriate agencies, organizations, industries and community leaders that help advance the mission and goals of CCE.
• Oversee the development of a brand awareness that aligns with the CCE statewide Plan of Work.

• Provide leadership for the identification of an appropriate human resources plan – paid and/or volunteer – to carry out the mission, vision, and goals of CCE of Rockland County, including planning for future staffing needs.
• Oversee professional development initiatives to ensure staff have the knowledge, skills and resources to effectively carry out their jobs.
• Develop and uphold a culture of continuous learning.

• Implement and administer policies established by Board of Directors.
• Perform day to day management including compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, and ensure risk management protocols are met.
• Ensure the adherence to all applicable local, state and federal laws and CCE policies.
• Lead the staff in the implementation of the association’s strategic plan.
• Solve problems and resolve conflicts that arise in the operation of the association, utilizing appropriate policies and procedures.
• Participate as an active member in the Hudson Valley Shared Business Network Administrative Management (AMG) meetings and other duties as specified in the MOU with CCE Administration and the approved Plan of Work.
• Participate in CCE Executive Leadership Conferences and in regional meetings as scheduled; provide liaison and linkages between the Cornell Cooperative Extension System and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Rockland County.

• Provide oversight for the entire program cycle of the association.
• Delegate program management responsibilities to Extension Educators, as appropriate.
• Oversee programs to ensure that educational content conforms to research base, policies and objectives of the association and is consistent with research knowledge base.
• Oversee the management of program activities within the association Plan of Work.
• Identify, develop, enhance and engage networks of volunteers and volunteer leaders.

• Support the Board of Directors in carrying out its fiduciary responsibilities.
• Oversee internal controls and other financial policies and procedures.
• Engage Board of Directors and appropriate staff to ensure all involved have a full understanding of the financial status of the association.
• Ensure effective management and monitoring of association resources in compliance with CCE standards and policies, in partnership with Board members and appropriate staff.
• Monitor financial statements including fluctuations, trends and projections.
• Assure solid planning and budgeting systems are in place, and that the organization’s Plan of Work and strategic plan serve as the basis for financial planning.
• Ensure proper stewardship of funds through appropriate oversight including internal and external audits as necessary.
• Develop enhanced revenue streams to sustain and grow association programming through a diversified fund development plan, such as appropriations, grants, capital campaigns, foundations, individual donors, corporate support, bequests, etc.
• Present and promote budget to stakeholders.
• Oversee preparation of a compensation plan to ensure adequate staff compensation.

• Represent the association as an ambassador to a variety of constituencies, including alumni, friends, clientele, corporations, and foundations.
• Monitor all electronic and print communications for content and adherence to CCE and other legal and regulatory requirements, including Equal Program Opportunity requirements.
• Oversee the process to develop and maintain effective working relations with legislators, local government leaders, community leaders, funding agencies, etc.
• Develop and manage the implementation of the communications/marketing plan, including overseeing marketing and promoting program participation.

• Implement and manage human resource policies established by the Board of Directors, by Cornell Cooperative Extension, or by local, state or federal law.
• Evaluate and implement progressive human resource programs and procedures, as well as ensuring and actively supporting Equal Employment Opportunity.
• Effectively oversee the allocation and alignment of human resources to accomplish association objectives to create and promote a culture of excellence.
• Supervise direct reports; provide direct feedback on performance through formal and informal channels; conduct formal annual performance reviews for direct reports.
• Select, orient, lead and manage a staff of educators, office support personnel, and other staff as appropriate.
• Ensure all staff are provided with performance development goals/support, and ensure that written, formal performance reviews are completed on an annual basis.
• Address any human resource issues that arise, engaging appropriate CCE or other resources as needed.
• Ensure association staff and volunteers are trained on mandatory topics, topics relevant to CCE expectations, and are given opportunities for professional development.
• Ensure non-exempt staff timecards are reviewed and approved in a timely fashion.
• Ensure staff leave time records are accurate and reconciled in a timely fashion.

• Oversee the maintenance of association facilities and assets, such as property, vehicles, etc. including compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, delegating implementation as necessary.
• Negotiate and develop annual facilities agreements with the county or other entities as needed.

• Review and approve timecards for direct reports in a timely fashion.
• Prepare and submit accurate expense reports, mileage reports, receipts/supporting documentation, and/or vouchers in a timely manner per established policy and procedures.

• Review and approve time off requests for direct reports.

• Participate in all required orientation, training, and/or in-service meetings and trainings as scheduled/required.
• Work with the Board President to 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.
• Pursue personal growth through expanding personal knowledge of the total organization and through updating techniques and technical skills relating to the position.

• Be familiar and strive to follow any applicable federal, state, local regulations, association health and safety policy/procedure/requirement and standard.
• Lead the association to maintain a safe working environment.
• 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.
• Embrace and support overall CCE efforts to ensure that the staff, volunteers and CCE program participants are representative of the diversity of New York State.
• Assist the Cornell Cooperative Extension System in reaching out to diverse audiences.
• Seek out and take advantage of CCE professional development opportunities for oneself and for association staff designed to increase awareness and skills in intercultural competency and diversity in all its forms including but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, age, the LGBTQ community, physical ability, mental health status and economic status.
• Represent Cornell Cooperative Extension to the public, community leaders, colleagues, volunteers, members of Cornell University faculty and staff, government officials and the general public in a professional manner.
• Aware of, and adheres to, established Cornell Cooperative Extension association policies, procedures and Cornell Skills for Success.
• Contribute to the overall success of the organization by performing all assigned duties in a professional, timely, and accurate manner.
• At all times act in a professional Customer Service manner including but not limited to business-like demeanor, tactful communications, cooperative, helpful, positive, and receptive manner.

• 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

Association Exec Director

No Grade – Annual

Salary

Contract College

Leah Cadwallader