Horticulture Section- Project Associate I- CALS- School of Integrative Plant Science

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Department Background:

About SIPS: The CALS School of Integrative of Plant Science (SIPS) encompasses five fields: Horticulture, Plant Biology, Plant Breeding & Genetics, Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology, and Soil and Crop Sciences. Combined there are 100+ faculty, ~200 undergraduate majors, 200+ graduate students in six fields, and 600+ other employees located in Ithaca, Geneva, and other satellite locations across New York State. The school offers the multidisciplinary undergraduate major in the Plant Sciences and is also home to the Agricultural Sciences major. School faculty also contribute to the Biology, Global Development, and Viticulture & Enology majors.

Program or Research Function Statement

The Cornell Small Farm Program (SFP) engages in research and extension projects and collaborations that support and enhance the viability of small farms in New York. This Operations Manager will support the execution of SFP projects and activities by overseeing budgets, personnel, reporting and grant development.

The Small Farms Program Operations Manager works in close collaboration with the Program Director to ensure the successful development of the Small Farms Program, making decisions that foster effective departmental operations, fiscal responsibility, implementation of university policy, and coordination with college and university-wide units.

The Small Farms Program Operations Manager will oversee all administrative aspects of the SFP. The coordinator will be expected to work closely with the Director while administering the business aspects of the department and ensuring the delivery and evaluation of program goals and initiatives, in compliance with Cornell University policy and values. The Manager will assign, supervise, and evaluate staff and team positions, while partnering with the Director and college-units to ensure program success.

The SFP Operations Manager will provide financial management and oversight for grant-funded projects as well as other program income. This Manager will work closely with the SFP Director and departmental fiscal managers to provide financial oversight and projections for the overall SFP operating budget.

The Operations Manager will also oversee the development of grant proposals that support program goals. Collaboration with external organizations and individuals to develop new funding resources is expected.

The Operations Manager will work very independently, making decisions to foster the success of SFP to achieve the desired outcomes. These decisions will often require creativity as well as a good understanding of the abilities and resources of project staff through ongoing coaching and dialogue to ensure a positive, inclusive and productive work environment. Occasional travel and overnight trips to visit with project collaborators around NY state are expected.

The Program Coordinator will be a full member of the SFP staff and is expected to develop close working relationships with all other SFP Associates, participating in staff meetings and other SFP events. They will also represent the Program at state meetings and provide presentations to farmers and other stakeholders about the SFP efforts. Contributions to the annual SFP reports expected.

Responsible for supervising project staff and supporting project collaborators.

This position is renewable annually, based upon satisfactory performance and continued funding.

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Relocation assistance will not be provided for this position.

Rewards and Benefits:

Cornell receives national recognition, as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, sustainability, and diversity initiatives. Our benefits program includes comprehensive health care options, access to wellness programs, employee discounts with local and national retail brands, and generous retirement contributions. Our leave provisions include three weeks of vacation and 12 holidays: e.g., an end-of-year winter break, from December 25th through January 1st. Cornell's impressive educational benefits include tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program, Tuition Aid for external education, and Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance program. More on Cornell Benefits

Position Summary:

While position responsibilities vary, all people leaders are expected to foster a culture of belonging and a psychologically healthy work environment by being trustworthy; respecting all individuals; being flexible; supporting work/life integration as well as healthy boundaries; inviting new ideas, alternatives, and perspectives; speaking up and taking action if others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and recognizing the contributions of others.

Explain summary of position responsibilities.

Reporting to the Small Farms Program Director, the Project Associate manages the day-to-day operational aspects of

projects, including planning, scheduling and monitoring activities. This including overseeing the financial and operational activities related to all sponsored awards and grant funded projects. They will ensure the timely and accurate execution of grant-funded projects through close collaboration with the Director, CALS/SIPS, and Cornell OSP/OSR. These individual coordinates program systems, while monitoring project progress, reporting, and evaluation. Specific duties include:

• Assist in the development of the Small Farms Program budget and prepare departmental operating budget for Director and College Business Officer review.
• Make recommendations and implement departmental fiscal policy to ensure grant/budget compliance.
• Recommend new funding streams and coordinate with CU OSP accordingly in proposal submission.
• Oversee spending activity on current sponsored funds and departmental accounts.
• Interpret and implement Cornell University policy and collaborate closely with SFP Director to address and resolve complex situations.
• Lead administrative and business operations of the program. Conduct regular budget updates and meetings with project leads.
• Hire and train administrative staff, and conduct performance evaluations of these staff

• Supervise administrative and communications staff
• Develop, manage and monitor project and overall SFP program budgets
• Ensure that the program efforts meet grant obligations and reporting deadlines.
• Set working tasks and priorities for administrative SFP staff and project leads working with assigned grants/projects, while ensuring all required activities are accomplished in a timely manner.
• Work closely with the SFP Director to achieve program goals, identify emerging programmatic needs, and forecast future financial and staffing needs.

Required Qualifications:

• Experience in and/or demonstrated commitment to supporting diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and wellbeing.
• Demonstrated skill in understanding of cultural differences.
• Proven experience connecting diversity, inclusion, and wellbeing practices to business goals.
• Bachelor's degree in business administration, agriculture, communication, education, , natural resources, or related field preferred.
• Proven program and project management skills within an academic setting.
• Proven leadership, supervisory, conflict management, and team building skills.
• Must have sound decision making and critical thinking abilities.
• Must be able to lead teams through change and complex tasks and assignments.
• Must be able to work with diverse audiences and partners, both independently and as part of a team.
• Excellent communication skills, including writing and public speaking.
• Excellent communication skills with demonstrated ability to foster and maintain healthy professional relationships.
• Good working knowledge and experience with current software, such as MS Office, Qualtrics, PowerPoint.
• Must be personable, flexible and possess excellent organizational skills.
• Excellent customer service skills and demonstrated ability to communicate with a broad range of people is essential.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to multi-task and prioritize.
• Ability to work well and establish effective working relationships with a wide variety of faculty, staff, and students while creating a high-quality and respectful work environment.
• Must be comfortable working in an environment where change in process is the norm.
• Must have and maintain a valid NYS Driver's License and be willing to travel with occasional overnight trips being required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in business administration, agriculture, education, communications, natural resources, or related field preferred.
• University fiscal management certification
• Experience in human resource management.

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