Title:                           Master Gardener Program Coordinator, Blue Earth and Le Sueur Counties

Classification:           Extension Program Associate 3, (Job Code 8316A3), Civil Service

Appointment:             Part time, 50% FTE (20 hours/week)

Salary:                        $27-31/hour; commensurate with training and experience

Extension Area:        Department Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR)

Locations:                  Blue Earth County (Mankato) and Le Sueur County (Le Center) Extension Offices

Apply by:                    February 21, 2025

ABOUT THIS POSITION 

Master Gardener Program Coordinators are responsible for general oversight of the University of Minnesotaâ™s Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Program, which promotes best horticulture practices to Minnesota residents. Coordinators are responsible for engaging and managing volunteers and communicating the public value of volunteer projects to regional directors. The program coordinator reports to the Master Gardener program leader/state program coordinator. 

The primary role of this newly created position is to sustain and support Master Gardener volunteers in Blue Earth and Le Sueur Counties. The coordinator will collaborate with volunteers to determine the strategic direction of the program, establish priorities, manage budgets, promote and recognize volunteer leadership, and develop meaningful volunteer opportunities that positively impact the community.

This is a 50%, 20 hour a week position, split between Blue Earth (10 hours) and Le Sueur (10 hours) counties. The coordinator will have office space in each county Extension office and is expected to have a weekly or biweekly presence in each office depending on the work and at the determination of the supervisor. This position reports to the Master Gardener State Program Coordinator. Schedule to be determined by the supervisor and will fluctuate depending on the needs of the work.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS 

Program Management (45%)

• Cultivate and maintain collaborations with community organizations and stakeholders; leverage resources to educate residents about using research-based horticulture.
• Recruit, train and orient volunteers to meet program and county expectations. Develop recruitment goals with volunteers and review with state coordinator/program leader.
• Continually increase the level of volunteer community engagement and impact. Develop yearly goals with volunteers and review with the state coordinator/program leader.
• Report on state/county activity and participate in volunteer and leadership meetings.
• Lead the Master Gardener group in setting annual goals to align with program priorities and county goals.
• Document and report the programâ™s public value to stakeholders via presentations, written reports, video, or social media; report success stories and program highlights to the state program via annual reports.
• Manage the program database. Use technology to communicate, locate information, monitor trends, design and deliver programs, evaluate, and report.
• Oversee accountability of volunteers; ensure volunteer work focuses on education and aligns with state program and county needs.
• Ensure availability and accuracy of the local Master Gardener program data; use appropriate evaluation systems to compile data for annual reports and demonstrate program impact.
• Ensure that volunteer opportunities, programs, facilities, committees, and education are accessible to diverse audiences.
• Work collaboratively with the groupâ™s treasurer and ensure financial management systems are in alignment with the University of Minnesota policies and procedures. 

Volunteer Management (45%) 

• Serve as the first point of contact for the program and access to volunteers.
• Manage the recruiting, confirmation and orientation processes, and on-going support of new volunteer.
• Work with new and experienced volunteers on leadership succession planning and ensure volunteers with leadership skills are identified, coached, and encouraged to take on leadership positions.
• Maintain a regular system of communication with and among volunteers in coordination with the state program.
• Review, implement, and ensure compliance with program policies and guidelines set by the University of Minnesota and Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Program (e.g., Safety of Minors Policy).
• Foster and contribute to a positive work climate with colleagues, advisory groups, volunteers, audiences, and partnerships.

State Leadership Team Partnership (10%)

• Partner with the State Leadership Team in promoting the mission of the program to volunteers. 
• Promote and reinforce the use of educational offerings developed by the University of Minnesota Extension educators among volunteers (e.g., Flowers for Pollinators and Water Wisely train-the-trainer learning packages, Hot Topics, etc.).
• Promote and implement state-wide program goals, objectives, and initiatives in a positive way at the county level.
• Report on program activity and participate in regularly scheduled program meetings with coordinators and the program leader.
• Provide constructive input to the State Leadership Team for the development of future program strategies and policies. 

Required Qualifications:

• A Bachelorâ™s degree with at least 4 years of experience (in volunteer engagement, team leadership/management, project management, human resources, or education-focused leadership) or a combination of related higher education and work experience to equal eight (8) years.
• Strong oral and written communication skills in English.
• A proven ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships and collaborations with colleagues, partners, and stakeholders, including those that may have diverse missions, goals, cultures, and backgrounds.
• To communicate with, supervise, and empower volunteers/team members to be effective in their roles. 
• To effectively organize and coordinate team work, resources, and projects.
• Strong skills in Microsoft and Google Workspace applications including data entry, email communications, etc.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience coordinating, managing, and overseeing volunteers
• Knowledge and/or interest in horticulture
• Knowledge and/or experience working with budgets

Additional Requirements:

• Ability to transport themselves or have reliable transportation to/from multiple locations for work, at times in a single workday.
• Ability to maintain a flexible work schedule, including some evening and weekend hours 
• Ability to work regularly at multiple Extension offices
• When not in the assigned office location, employees must be reachable with a mobile or alternate number at the employee's own expense. 
• Must be able to sit and stand for long periods of time and lift, push, pull, carry up to 30 pounds and push/pull 50 pounds occasionally.
• Ability to work on a computer for prolonged periods of time.
• This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship

About University of Minnesota Twin Cities

The University of Minnesota, founded in the belief that all people are enriched by understanding, is dedicated to the advancement of learning and the search for truth; to the sharing of this knowledge through education for a diverse community; and to the application of this knowledge to benefit the people of the state, the nation, and the world.

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