Responsibilities
Volunteer Management
• Organize the Master Conservationist Program. Recruit, screen and identify class members. Work with volunteer class coordinators and ISU to operate the class.
• Assist with maintenance of local Master Gardener volunteer contact database. Assist with authorization of volunteer and education hours on the Iowa Master Gardener reporting database.
• Assist with the coordination of requests from community for Master Gardeners to speak/present about horticulture related subject matter.
• Work with Master Gardener Advisory Council, Master Conservationist program alumni, and other volunteer committees to carry out county-sponsored activities, events, and social media.
Programs
• Responsible for maintaining technical knowledge of Master Conservationist Programs, Master Gardener Programs and other Horticulture Education programs offered by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.
• Responsible for leading the facilitation of the local delivery of the Polk County Master Conservationist program and assisting with facilitation of the local delivery of the Master Gardener program.
• Explore opportunities and deliver Natural Resources programming in areas such as, but not limited to: urban agriculture, mushroom foraging, local foods programming, School Garden 101, Advanced Vegetable Horticulture Course, etc.
Public Relations
• Post Natural Resources events in program calendar and report attendance.
• Work with Master Gardener and Master Conservationist projects to ensure adequate branding of program and help coordinate efforts to schedule educational events.
• Develop and coordinate public relations for the Master Conservationist program and assist with public relations for the Master Gardener program.
• Develop Natural Resources displays for the office and for external events. Ensure that all Polk County Extension Natural Resources program materials are in accordance with the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Visual Identity Guide.
Team Member
• Work with ISU Extension and Outreach to deliver the Master Gardener and Master Conservationist program, following program policies.
• Assist in the coordination of efforts of the Master Gardener and Master Conservationist volunteers to ensure that all external funds (donations, grants, contracts) are secured with proper authorization.
• Provide leadership in responding to horticulture questions submitted to the Polk County Extension office.
• Responsible for cooperating with conservation, horticulture or natural resource education coordinator(s) within the region.
• Inform Regional Director of program impacts.
• Assist with the preparation and implementation of the Polk County Fair
Communications and Other Responsibilities
• Collaborate with marketing staff on the creation and distribution of relevant and timely social media posts on the Polk County Natural Resources, including Master Gardener, social media channels. Inform marketing staff of upcoming promotions for county-wide social media channels and newsletter.
• Edit and distribute a monthly Polk County Extension Master Gardener newsletter.
• Maintain all correspondence for the Master Conservationist and assist with all correspondence for the Master Gardener program.
• Maintain the ISU Extension and Outreach – Polk County Natural Resources website and assist with maintaining the Polk County Master Gardener web sites.
• Follows all policies, rules and procedures as directed by the Extension Council and Regional Director.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
• Associate degree and a minimum of 2 years of experience in one or more areas of the position description, such as environmental science, conservation, horticulture, agricultural education, etc.
• Capable of coordinating volunteer efforts including conflict management skills
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat, newsletter creation, email
• Access to reliable transportation; valid driver’s license
• Employment contingent on successful screening in Child Protection Safety Program (Criminal Background Check)
• Able to lift and move 30 pounds
SKILLS
• Strong communication skills
• Demonstrated organizational skills
• Ability to set up audio visual equipment and manage the distance education process, technically and programmatically.
• Ability to work independently, and as a team
• Knowledge of basic office machinery
Preferred Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as environmental science, conservation, horticulture, agricultural education, etc.
• Alumni of the Iowa State University Extension’s Master Conservationist program
• Experience in volunteer development and management
• Experience facilitating educational programs
• Experience in program development
• Experience in establishing partnerships and networks
• Bilingual; fluent in a second language