Natural Resources Team Leader - East Syracuse, NY

This position will serve as the Environmental Program Team Leader for Cornell Cooperative Extension Association of Onondaga County and will lead the development, coordination and implementation of Environmental and Natural Resources educational programing. Primary responsibilities will include, but are not limited to: leading the development, coordination and implementation of all educational programs; management of administrative functions; and supervision of Environmental and Natural Resource Program staff. Program topics include, but are not limited to: Master Gardener Program, urban and rural forestry, invasive species, wildlife, water quality and urban agriculture. This position will also coordinate all administrative aspects for Environmental and Natural Resources programming to include, but not limited to: writing and providing oversight for the development of grant applications and scopes of work for contracts; track finances and budgeting for grant and contract funds in accordance with approved spending; and apply human resources, finance and information technology policy in accordance with established policies and procedures. This position will work with the Association Executive Director to develop programs that are consistent with the programming goals communicated by the Association Executive Director. This position will work in diverse communities and settings across Onondaga County and must be comfortable and able to communicate in urban, suburban and rural communities utilizing various delivery methods to include the use of social media. This position will work with other Cornell Cooperative Extension program areas and be supportive of an Association team approach and support its foundations.

    

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS:

PLEASE READ BEFORE APPLYING

All applicants must apply online by close of day on January 2, 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 the CCE Onondaga Office at 315-424-9485 with questions. 

POSITION DETAILS:

This position is a full-time exempt position, 100% FTE. The annual salary for this position will range from $66,000.00 to $70,000.00 commensurate with experience. This position, based on eligibility, offers a comprehensive benefit package, to include: health and dental insurance, NYS retirement, vacation, sick and personal leave.

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree.
• Two (2) years volunteer or related work experience.
• Valid NYS Driver License and the ability to meet travel requirements association with this position. 
• Ability to work flexible hours which may include evenings and/or weekends, as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in Natural Resources field.
• Three (3) years of experience in Natural Resources.
• Two (2) years’ experience in management and administration of others. 
• Demonstrated ability to work outdoors under adverse condition.
• Experience and demonstrated ability in leading and managing others.
• Experience and success at grant applications.
• Experience in finance and budgeting.
• Spanish Language Skills preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to relate to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively through oral, written and visual means.
• Demonstrated ability to utilize computer technologies for educational and communication purposes.

Responsibilities/Essential Functions: 

Program Responsibilities:

Program Assessment and Development - 20%

• Lead the development of program needs assessment for Environmental and Natural Resources Program offerings.
• Lead the application of subject matter knowledge to identify gaps and trends in the community. 
• Analyze Environmental and Natural Resources Program needs for program participants, taking note of traditional as well as emerging opportunities, and make recommendations for programmatic offerings, enhancements and/or improvements.
• Utilize evaluation findings to modify Environmental and Natural Resources educational programs, and redirect educational programs as needed.    
• Maintain direct linkage with Cornell University faculty and program units, as well as other Land Grant Universities for program assessment guidance.
• Ensure program assessment is aligned with the statewide Plan of Work
• Lead the application and apply a high level of disciplinary subject matter knowledge to develop educational strategies for Environmental and Natural Resources programming efforts.
• Lead the development of innovative educational programs.
• Research, identify, select existing educational and community resources and identify additional resources required for new Environmental and Natural Resources programs and initiatives.
• Lead the development of program materials to meet the needs of program participants.
• Interpret Association program direction to create educational programs. 
• Ensure program development is within the scope of the statewide Plan of Work.
• Structure programs to meet the need of diverse program participants.

Program Delivery, Evaluation and Applied Research - 20%

• Lead the application of subject matter knowledge to create lesson plans to deliver educational programs.
• Teach the existing educational program as defined.
• Teach innovative educational programs with discretion.
• Work to foster acceptance of the Environmental and Natural Resources Program, methods, and policies while addressing community and individual needs and considering diverse audiences.
• Provide Environmental and Natural Resources educational program efforts via mass media.
• Serve as subject matter expert in Environmental and Natural Resources to staff, clientele and other groups as they are identified.
• Represent Cornell Cooperative Extension before the public, community leaders, government officials, Cornell or other land grant universities as part of program delivery.
• Maintain direct linkage with Cornell University faculty and program units for program delivery guidance.
• Conduct educational programs to impact audiences by utilizing a variety of educational methodologies.
• Ensure program delivery is within the scope of the statewide Plan of Work
• Lead team efforts and cooperate with the entire Association and Environmental and Natural Resources Program staff to achieve Association program delivery goals.
• Lead the application of subject matter knowledge to create evaluation framework and evaluation tools.
• Design program evaluation framework and implement the program evaluation process.
• Analyze collected program evaluation data.
• Interpret evaluation data to constituencies as appropriate.
• Maintain direct linkage with Cornell University faculty and program units, as well as other Land Grant Universities as needed for program evaluation guidance.
• Ensure program evaluation is within the scope of the statewide Plan of Work.

Administrative Responsibilities:

Direction and Management - 45%

• Provide leadership in the development of educational strategies to meet the needs of Environmental and Natural Resources program participants.
• Provide leadership in interpreting University program direction to plan educational programs, and draw on Cornell program resources, research and recommendations in the selection and development of program materials and activities.
• Provide leadership in the planning of educational programs by interpreting Association and Cornell University program direction.
• Provide leadership and planning in the development of the Environmental and Natural Resources Program budget based on program feasibility needs.
• Provide leadership and planning in the development of an effective strategic marketing and communications plan for the Environmental and Natural Resources Program.
• Manage and provide leadership oversight to ensure that the content of Environmental and Natural Resources programs conform to research base, policies and objectives of the Association.
• Solve problems and resolve conflicts that arise in all Environmental and Natural Resources programs utilizing appropriate policies and procedures.
• Provide complex administrative tasks in guiding the implementation of the program budget, to include: providing management and oversight of the budget (operating income and expenses) to ensure the program is within established parameters.
• Manage allocation of financial resources to accomplish Environmental and Natural Resources programming objectives.
• Provide management, supervision and guidance (including performance feedback and annual performance reviews), to the Environmental and Natural Resources program staff and volunteers per established policies and procedures, and provide regular staffing updates to the Executive Director as required.

Coordination/Operation - 10%

• Compile already-existing resources into educational program materials.
• Collect program evaluation and program needs assessment data based on existing framework.
• Assist in coordinating the program implementation, planning and activities efforts for the Environmental and Natural Resources Program.
• Represent the Environmental and Natural Resources Program and Cornell Cooperative Extension at community functions, meetings or events as appropriate. 
• Coordinate and submit appropriate grant or other funding proposals, including financial documentation that may be required.
• Contribute to the fulfillment of reporting requirements for all relevant grants and contracts within established timeframes.
• 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 Team Leader

Level:

002

Pay Rate Type:

Salary

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.