Environmental Program Coordinator

Overview

Rutgers Cooperative 

35 hours/week, Full-Time, Non-Exempt

Under minimal supervision, recruit, and train county residents as participants in the Rutgers Cooperative Extension Master Gardener and Environmental Steward volunteer programs.  Provide educational outreach on current and new horticultural, environmental, and related information to Somerset County residents through a variety of delivery methods, including but not limited to social media, websites, educational programs, workshops, seminars, and diagnostic services.

Essential Functions

• Recruit, train, support, coordinate, and manage two volunteer programs with over 160 volunteers.  The Master Gardener Program and the Environmental Steward Program are two separate volunteer programs both managed by the person in this position.
• Maintain program records and write reports
• Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with a wide variety of volunteers from various backgrounds
  Create, develop, and improve educational outreach programs within home and public horticulture and environmental / natural resource management areas.  Conduct, teach, and facilitate educational programs for residents of Somerset County.
• Prepare or obtain necessary class supplies.
• Teach programs on a variety of horticultural and environmental topics
• Partner with state or regional committees or projects as a Somerset County representative, and with appropriate community organizations, coalitions, or committees.
• Respond to consumer requests for information by mail, telephone, email, or in-person.
• Write news releases, lesson plans, and participant handouts.
• Staff educational or informational exhibits at events.
• Attend appropriate training sessions given by Somerset County Government, Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Rutgers University, or others to be current in subject matter knowledge and educational methodology.
• Occasionally assist with any RCE program areas outside of ANR – Family & Community Health Sciences and 4-H Youth Development.
• Attend appropriate staff and other meetings and participate as member of total RCE team.
• Ability to carry program materials and supplies, including audio-visual equipment.
• Ability to arrange physical set-up of class space (move chairs & tables)
• Flexibility to work some evening and weekend hours, indoors and outside as required for events.
• Perform outdoor garden maintenance utilizing tools such as a lawn mower and string trimmer.
• May perform any other duties as assigned.

Essential Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science Degree from an accredited college in appropriate field (horticulture, agriculture, natural resource management, or other related biological / environmental science area).
• Minimum of three years of volunteer management experience
• Working knowledge of pesticide safety and IPM methodologies
• Must be able to understand technical and scientific information and convey that information to the general public.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrated understanding or ability to learn and use computer software such as Canvas, Better Impact, Qualtrics, Microsoft Word, and Excel to manage volunteer learning and databases.
• Valid NJ driver’s license. [County vehicle generally available. May require occasional use of own vehicle.]