Visitor Center Temporary Assistant, Cornell Lab of Ornithology

   

Visitor Center Temporary Assistant, Cornell Lab of Ornithology

About The Department

The Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology is a world leader in inspiring people to contribute to science and become advocates for birds and life on earth. Our model for change is to bring curiosity to scale through education and participatory science to gain insight into how natural systems work and address global conservation challenges. The Visitor Center, part of the Center for Engagement in Science and Nature at the Cornell Lab, sheds light on this mission by providing a highly engaging experience to visitors of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.

The Lab connects with millions of people a year through our innovative educational platforms and data-powered participatory science enterprises. The Cornell Lab is committed to fostering a healthy workplace that values diverse perspectives and backgrounds as well as supporting growth and advancement opportunities. The Lab welcomes staff who are still learning in their careers and who are motivated to take on new challenges.

About The Opportunity

We are seeking a part-time Visitor Center Assistant to join a dynamic team of educators, program coordinators, and public information specialists on the Visitor Center team. The Cornell Lab’s Visitor Center in Sapsucker Woods will reopen in late spring/early summer 2024 after extensive renovations, offering visitors from near and far a unique chance to connect with the Lab and our mission to interpret and conserve the earth’s biodiversity. The Visitor Center is also home to the Adelson Library, a unit of the Cornell University Library system.

The Visitor Center Assistant will play a key role in the Lab’s mission by providing a welcoming environment and engaging with the public. Highlighting the many engaging experiences within the newly redesigned Visitor Center the Visitor Center Assistant will serve as a bridge between the content and visitor.

As the Visitor Center Assistant, you will work to support our public-facing efforts. Job responsibilities include:

• Serve as the ambassador of the Lab and its programs to visitors.

• As the first point of contact at the Front Desk, greet, orient, and direct visitors and groups, providing individualized guidance to ensure the best possible visit.

• Provide visitors with information on accessibility resources as needed.

• Address and resolve visitor needs, concerns, and questions diplomatically. Think creatively to solve issues and find solutions for unplanned events or circumstances.

• Assist the Public Information Specialist with incoming emails and phone calls as needed.

• Oversee and participate in opening and closing operations for the Visitor Center and Adelson Library.

• Staff the Adelson Library by fulfilling book requests, shelving, scanning, and other tasks as needed.

• Maintain inventory of materials and supplies in the Visitor Center, communicating any needs with the appropriate staff.

• Maintain exhibits, testing exhibit technology each day and reporting any issues to appropriate staff.

• Accept potential specimens for study skins and collect information. Check the observatory windows for bird collisions. Follow appropriate collection guidelines.

• Place calls to CU police, EMT, Environmental Health and Safety when needed. 

• Serve as the main point of contact for volunteers and student employees running scheduled weekend programs.

• Suggest programming and resources based on visitor needs and requests.

• Provide logistical support for special events and workshops when necessary.

• Communicate regularly with the Lab’s Facilities Team to make sure the Visitor Center, Adelson Library, and trails at Sapsucker Woods are well-maintained, safe, and meet the needs of visitors and groups.

This is a part-time temporary position with the option for renewal. This one-year position will work a flexible schedule of 8-12 hours/week with the primary hours being Saturdays and Sundays from 9:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology in Ithaca, NY. Additional hours are available for a weekday shift in Adelson Library, holidays when the Visitor Center remains open, and when coverage is needed during weekdays at the Visitor Center front desk.

The wage is $19.25/hour.

What We Need

The successful candidate will have formal training beyond a HS diploma of 6 month to 1 year. Three years of experience in customer service, in a museum or similar setting.

• Experience in and/or demonstrated commitment to supporting diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and wellbeing.

• Excellent customer service and oral/written communication skills.

• Must enjoy working with the public of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds.

• Basic clerical skills including filing, phone operation, office equipment, working knowledge of Microsoft Suite, Zoom, Google Suite, Qualtrics, and other online platforms. 

• Ability to work independently and learn new technologies.

• Must be flexible, show initiative, manage priorities, and maintain positivity with visitors.

• Have knowledge of, or willingness to learn about, the Lab’s history, programs, research, and resources available to visitors.

• Must exercise good judgment in emergency situations either in the building or on the trails. 

• Knowledge of North American birds and regional natural history.

• Obtain and maintain Payment Card Industry (PCI) compliance training.

• Required to be available on weekends and, if able, fill in on an emergency basis.

• Must have demonstrated ability for working collaboratively and inclusively. Proven ability to work in a team environment where cooperation between colleagues and flexibility to different styles and approaches is required.

• Passionate about working in an organization that values and promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, anti-racism, and wellbeing.

Preferably the successful candidate will also have the following;

• Bachelor’s degree or other formal training.

• Expertise in bird identification and biology.

• Experience in environmental education and outreach, a museum, or a similar setting.

• Knowledgeable about the local area and Finger Lakes region.

• Experience in providing scientific content to the general public.

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.

This is a casual temporary position without benefits.

How to Apply:

• To apply, please send a cover letter describing your interest and qualifications, along with your resume.  Open until filled.  For questions, please contact Chelsea Benson, Public Programs Coordinator, [email protected] .  

• You can upload documents either by “dragging and dropping” them into the Dropbox or by using the “upload” icon on the application page. For more detailed instructions on how to apply to a job at Cornell, visit How We Hire on the HR website. If you are an internal employee, please log in to Workday .

• Cornell University is an innovative Ivy League university and a great place to work. Our inclusive community of scholars, students, and staff impart an uncommon sense of larger purpose and contribute creative ideas to further the university's mission of teaching, discovery, and engagement.

• Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University’s heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations.

   

Familiarize yourself with Cornell's COVID-19 workplace guidance as well as the university's COVID-19 services and information .

  

University Job Title:

Temporary Program/Extension Aide

Job Family:

Temporary Academic Support

Level:

No Grade - Hourly

Pay Rate Type:

Hourly

Pay Range:

Refer to Posting Language

Remote Option Availability:

Fully Onsite

Company:

Contact Name:

Denise Smith

Job Titles and Pay Ranges:

Non-Union Positions

Noted pay ranges reflect the potential pay opportunity for each job profile. The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

• Prior relevant work or industry experience

• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position

• Unique applicable skills

• Academic Discipline (faculty pay ranges reflects 9-month annual salary)

To learn more about Cornell’s non-union staff job titles and pay ranges, see Career Navigator .

Union Positions

The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined in accordance with the rates in the respective collective bargaining agreement. To learn more about Cornell’s union wages, see Union Pay Rates .

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Employment Assistance:

For general questions about the position or the application process, please contact the Recruiter listed in the job posting or email [email protected] .

If you require an accommodation for a disability in order to complete an employment application or to participate in the recruiting process, you are encouraged to contact Cornell University's Office of Institutional Equity and Title IX at voice (607) 255-2242, or email at [email protected] .

Applicants that do not have internet access are encouraged to visit your local library, or local Department of Labor. You may also request an appointment to use a dedicated workstation in the Office of Talent Attraction and Recruitment, at the Ithaca campus, by emailing [email protected] .

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EEO Statement:

Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University’s heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, and we do not tolerate discrimination based on any protected characteristic, including race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex/gender, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law. 

Cornell University embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff to all identities and backgrounds. We encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.

2024-03-15