Agriculture Administrative Assistant - Middletown, NY

The Cornell Cooperative Extension Orange County Agriculture Administrative Assistant provides secretarial/clerical/administrative support for Agriculture Program educators and program assistants. Work involves diversified duties requiring extensive knowledge of the job function including: word processing, spread sheets, data management and computer presentations. Perform general typing/word processing of correspondence, manuscripts, reports, office forms, etc. Provide typing/word processing of variety of letters, brochures, technical papers, and manuscripts that possibly require familiarity with technical technology; use software functions to edit, format, produce and display. Use worksheets and databases for data entry. Individual will be expected to provide customer service to volunteers, producers, and clerical support to educational programs. Within the limits of standard or accepted practice requires the use of judgment in analyzing facts and circumstances surrounding work situations, problems or transactions; and in determining action to be taken working with Issue Leader. May assist the Agriculture Issue Leader with administrative work.

    

Required Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or equivalent education.
• Two years of experience as Administrative Assistant or equivalent.
• Strong computer skills, including Word,  Excel, Access, Power Point, Outlook;
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines
• Ability to work as a team member
• Ability to meet travel requirements associated with this position.
• Ability to work flexible hours which may include evenings and/or weekends, as appropriate.
• Ability to communicate effectively through oral, written and visual channels using traditional methods as well as electronic technology.
• Ability to effectively and efficiently solve problems.
• Must demonstrate a high degree of accuracy, integrity, and the ability to handle confidential and sensitive information.

Responsibilities/Essential Functions:

Administrative Responsibilities:
Coordination/Operation - 95%

• Provide technical word processing/spreadsheet/database/data management expertise utilizing WORD, Excel, Access, Outlook and others as needed. 
• Initiate and compose correspondence requiring grant and project reporting, staff input, familiarity and discretion, acquiring the acceptable approvals and disbursing in a timely manner.
• Assist with preparation of grants, project plans, financial claims and other stakeholder source documents/reports.
• Assist with handling correspondence, contracts, repetitive/time-consuming tasks and cross-project duties such as data entry of participant records, preparing vouchers for finance department, correspondence between vendors, press releases, meeting sets ups, ordering supplies, etc.
• Create and submit special reports and projects as assigned.
• Retrieve data necessary for federal, local and state reports.
• Conduct meeting arrangements and tasks including space arrangements, logistics, minutes and follow-up actions, in concert with other administrative staff providing coverage of the variety of meetings and events of the Agriculture program area.
• Assist program staff with layout work for program events, flyers, newsletters. 
• Assist in preparation of program support material as requested by Supervisor.
• Serve as data and administrative information source to staff.
• Act as administrative liaison with agencies and offices, utilizing existing resources and/or established procedures.
• Provide backup and support for Association Receptionist, when requested/as scheduled.

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 in programming and association priorities.
• Collaborate in activities that are in general support of Cornell Cooperative Extension including but not limited to attendance at staff meetings, timely reporting of expenses, working with other staff, general marketing of Extension programs and other duties as assigned.

Health and Safety - Applies to all duties and functions

• Support the association to maintain a safe working environment.
• Be familiar 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 c