Viticulture Specialist
Extension Associate
Lake Erie Regional Grape Program
Cornell Cooperative Extension
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS)
Cornell University
Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) provides the educational outreach
functions for Cornell University’s role as New York State’s Land Grant
University. Programmatically, Cornell Cooperative Extension connects
the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) and the College of
Human Ecology (CHE) with 55 off-campus Associations, Integrated Pest
Management, New York State Sea Grant, Area Specialists, and CCE New
York City.
The Lake Erie Regional Grape Program consists of Extension Educators
and research faculty/staff from Cornell University and Penn State
University devoted to projects aimed at increasing yields, product
quality, diversity and improvement of cultivars, efficiency of
production, profitability and adoption of environmentally sound
cultural and pest management strategies. There are approximately
30,000 acres of vineyard in the Lake Erie region of New York and
Pennsylvania grown on 840 farms, making this the largest grape growing
region outside of California. The Lake Erie Regional Grape Program is
supported, in part, by five county Cornell Cooperative Extensions
including: Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie and Niagara Counties in New
York and Erie County in Pennsylvania.
Provide commercial grape growers/producers with the knowledge and
resources necessary to assess production and management practices that
will enhance their profitability and sustain the growth of the juice
and wine grape industry in the Lake Erie region.
The job duties include:
* Provide leadership for planning, implementing and evaluating
educational programs that addresses producer-identified needs and
opportunities. Emphasis is on grape production including: soil and
site selection, growth control, integrated pest management,
nutrition and water management, and harvest management.
* Provide producers and industry with a framework to analyze
production and management alternatives and to maximize profit
opportunities based on emerging best-management practices, new
varieties, consumer market demands, etc.
* Plan and implement educational programs utilizing a variety of
methods including direct teaching through group experiences, mass
media, newsletters, electronic technology and distance learning.
* Analyze and evaluate major program efforts with the input of all
program partners and make recommendations for enhancing these
efforts.
* Prepare quarterly reports and yearly impact statements on program
progress and accomplishments.
* When necessary, pursue funding to support projects.
* Initiate and conduct field demonstrations and in-depth applied
research projects appropriate to the needs of commercial grape
production in the Lake Erie Region. When necessary, pursue funding
to support projects.
* Individually and collaboratively explore and pursue new and
additional funding sources to enhance and extend program
opportunities.
* Support Cornell University and Cooperative Extension system-wide
initiatives through participation in program development work
teams, ad-hoc committees and advisory groups.
* Foster strong collaboration among faculty, peers, and industry.
* Participate in professional development opportunities appropriate
to program and personal skill enhancement.
This position is full-time and will be located at the Cornell Lake
Erie Research and Extension Laboratory in Portland, New York. This is
a three-year appointment with possible extension depending on funding
and performance.
Required Qualifications:
* Masters Degree in Agriculture from an accredited institution with
a major in Viticulture, Horticulture, or closely associated field.
* 2+ years of relevant work experience in Agribusiness, Crop
Production, Cooperative Extension, or closely related fields.
* Experience in conducting, interpreting, evaluating and
communicating the results of applied research.
* Knowledge of the philosophy, objectives and operation of an
informal education system such as Cornell Cooperative Extension.
* Strong interpersonal skills with proven ability to work with
diverse audiences in group and one-on-one settings; ability to
work effectively with advisory boards and committees, community
and funding partners.
* Proven organizational and time-management skills.
* Ability to define, conduct and interpret applied research and
demonstration projects.
* Successful experience obtaining external funding, including grants
and industry support.
* Strong leadership and teamwork skills.
* Effective written and verbal communication skills.
* Fundamental competence utilizing current technology as a
management and program delivery tool (Excel, Word, PowerPoint,
Access, Internet and Web development).
* Appreciation of Agriculture as a business and as a lifestyle.
* Creativity, energy, motivation and positive enthusiasm.
* Ability to work evenings and weekends as essential job functions
require.
* Must possess or have the ability to acquire a New York State
Certified Pesticide Applicators License within one year from start
date.
* Must be able to meet the travel requirements of the position,
including having reliable transportation or having and maintaining
a valid New York State driver’s license.
Preferred Qualifications:
* Coursework in Weed Science, Crop Production, GIS, Economics of
Production, Pest Management, Plant Pathology, Soils, Adult
Education, and Communications.
* Solid knowledge in current and emerging issues and production
practices related to bulk juice grape production based on 3+ years
of relevant work experience.
* Experience in initiating and conducting field demonstrations and
in-depth applied research on general viticulture topics, including
soil fertility, mechanization, and vine size management.
* Knowledge and/or experience in current and emerging Grape and Wine
Production and Marketing practices.
* Experience in writing grant proposals.
To apply:
Please apply via Academic Jobs On-line (https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/8954).
Qualified applications should submit a cover letter, résumé, names of
at least three individuals who can be contacted to provide letters of
recommendation.
Applications will be reviewed as received, continuing until a suitable
applicant is identified. For more information, please contact Tim
Weigle at thw4@cornell.edu.
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
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