Securing and supporting the highest level administrative leadership for the Association is a critical function that the Board is responsible for in collaboration with Extension Administration at Cornell. As the funding environment has evolved in recent years and the size and scope of Associations has become more and more diverse, Extension Administration is expecting local Extension Boards to explore multiple options for Executive leadership, considering the needs of the Association and the possibilities for multi-county shared services options. When an opening exists in the position of Executive Director it is the board's job to work with their State Extension Specialist to assess the needs, engage with the staff and the community and move forward with the appropriate staffing plan. This process will often necessitate some type of interim or transitional leadership. The State Extension Specialist can help the board consider the options for this process as well.
- Succession Planning
- Departure of Executive Director & Board Actions
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- Create Search Committee
- Initial Meeting
- Organizational Health Check
- Select & Appoint Interim Executive Director
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- Interim Executive Director Considerations and Guidance
- Hire a Temp Professional Employee or Contract with another Association
- Template contract
- Consideration of pay structure and amount
- Position Description Development
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- ED Job Description Template
- Cornell posts the position in Workday
- Recruitment
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- Templates
- Announcement templates
- Listing
- EEOC requirements
- Candidate Review
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- Review candidates
- Phone interviews
- Final interviews / public presentations
- Background checks, reference checks
- CCE EA review
- Recommendation to Board
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- The search committee makes a recommendation to the full board.
- Selected Candidate Meets with CCE Director & Campus Conferral of Title
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- Once a candidate has been selected by the association board, the SES will typically set up a short interview between CCE Director, the SES, and the successful ED candidate.
- Upon approval of the board and the Director, the new hire will be conferred the title of Executive Director for a 2-year interval.
- Onboarding & Orientation
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- In addition to local onboarding, Extension Administration will enroll the new ED in the New ED Academy.
Additional Resources: