Horticulture Educator - Cortland, NY

This position will serve as the Horticulture Educator for Cornell Cooperative Extension Association of Cortland County and will implement Horticulture programming for a menu of existing Horticulture educational programs and program activities. This position will implement the Blocks in Bloom Grant for Cortland County for three years and includes educational programming for adults and youth in the areas of consumer and commercial horticulture including planning and planting homeowner gardens in 75-100 homes in Cortland City. This position will be responsible for the delivery of established Horticulture programming to community groups, and will deliver other established Horticulture programming and activities, both on-site and off-site, in the community, in accordance with the Agriculture Program Area’s plan of work. This position will also coordinate all administrative aspects of the Horticulture Program and will assist with marketing efforts for Horticulture and Blocks in Bloom programming in Cortland County. This position will also supervise student interns. This position will coordinate the Master Gardener Program, including the training and supervision of Master Gardener Program volunteers in Cortland County. This position will also have similar responsibilities, as listed above, which will include training and supervision of Master Gardener Program volunteers, with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cayuga County.

    

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS:

PLEASE READ BEFORE APPLYING

All applicants must apply online by close of day on June 6, 2026 to be considered for this position. All applicants must complete an 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 the CCE office at 607-391-2660 with questions. 

POSITION DETAILS:

This position is a full-time non-exempt position, 40 hours per week, 100% FTE. The hourly rate for this position is $22.75 to $24.00 commensurate with experience. This position, based on eligibility, offers a comprehensive benefit package, to include: health and dental insurance, retirement, vacation, sick and personal leave.

Sponsorship for employment visa status is not available for this position.

POSITION INFORMATION:

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent education (Associate’s Degree and two (2) years transferrable program/function 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.
• Must have New York State Department of Environmental Conservation pesticide applicator certification, which can be obtained on the job within the first year.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of horticulture, including floriculture, ornamentals, turf, and vegetables.
• Knowledge in entomology and plant pathology.
• Knowledge of pesticides and their use, including integrated pest management.
• Demonstrated ability to diagnose customers’ problems related to horticulture topics.
• Demonstrated ability to gather information and conduct secondary research, including use of the internet.
• Demonstrated ability to utilize program resources within the community.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, teach and evaluate informal education programs through a variety of program delivery methods to reach individuals and groups, including adults and youth.
• Demonstrated ability to relate to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively through oral, written, and visual means.
• Demonstrated ability to use standard computer programs.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:

Program Responsibilities:

Delivery, Evaluation and Applied Research - 80%

• Utilize established program resources and materials in program work.
• Implement already-established Horticulture and Natural Resources educational programing and program activities in support of other Agriculture and Natural Resources programming efforts as identified/needed to support the established plan of work.
• Implement already-established Master Gardener Programs such as the Master Gardener Program and Ag Literacy Week.
• Assist in providing existing information to bring awareness to the public in the form of impact statements, articles for progress/annual reports, and news releases, etc.
• Occasionally apply established subject matter knowledge to create lesson plans as identified.
• Under the direction and oversight of the Executive Director, adapt already established curriculum and materials as needed to meet established program objectives.
• Provide Horticulture and Natural Resources educational programs via mass media.
• Respond to inquiries in the area of consumer and commercial horticulture and provide established research based information in areas such as lawn maintenance, insect control and identification, soil testing, etc.
• Work to foster acceptance of the Horticulture and Natural Resources Program, methods and policies while addressing community and individual needs and considering diverse audiences.
• Assist the Executive Director in multi-association team efforts in the implementation of multi-disciplinary programs and program activities to deliver the Horticulture and Natural Resources Program.
• Serve as a subject-matter resource in the area of Horticulture and Natural Resources to staff and participants, community organizations and the general public.
• Serve as a team member and cooperate with the entire Association and Agriculture and Natural Resources Program staff to achieve Association program delivery goals.
• Implement program evaluation as designed.
• Interact with program participants to obtain evaluation data, to include: evaluating effectiveness of classes and instructors within program areas for all Horticulture and Natural Resources Programs.
• Assist Executive Director 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 - 10%

• Assist in the planning and promotion of major public events and programs including, but not limited to: assisting with mass media efforts related to upcoming events and programs.
• Provide oversight to Master Gardener Program Volunteers. 

Coordination/Operation - 5%

• Organize and coordinate program activities related to Horticulture Programming (i.e. workshops, seminars, tours, consultations, and in-school programs.)
• Coordinate identified administrative aspects of the Horticulture Program to include, but not limited to: preparing correspondence, maintain files, etc.
• Coordinate, compile and organize existing program resources and program materials.
• Effectively maintain existing professional relationships with other agencies, organizations and businesses that promote effective communication and facilitate continued programming efforts. 
• Utilizing effective marketing strategies in the promotion of Horticulture programming efforts to include, but not limited to: print media, news media, social media, and multi-media efforts.
• Maintain a library of reference materials for use by consumers and Master Gardener volunteers.
• Provide training to Master Gardener Program Volunteers. 
• This position may require the transport of program participants and/or program materials and resources in performing position responsibilities.

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 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.