Great Lakes Outreach Specialist (New York Sea Grant); Amherst, New York

Great Lakes Outreach Specialist

Extension Associate

New York Sea Grant

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Cornell University

Amherst, New York

Who We Are

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) is a pioneer of purpose-driven science and Cornell University’s second largest college. We work across disciplines to tackle the challenges of our time through world-renowned research, education, and outreach. The questions we probe and the answers we seek focus on three overlapping concerns: We believe that achieving next-generation scientific breakthroughs requires an understanding of the world’s complex, interlocking systems. We believe that access to nutritious food and a healthy environment is a fundamental human right. We believe that ensuring a prosperous global future depends on the ability to support local people and communities everywhere. By working in and across multiple scientific areas, CALS can address challenges and opportunities of the greatest relevance, here in New York, across the nation, and around the world.

New York Sea Grant is a cooperative program between the State University of New York and Cornell University. Established in 1971, Sea Grant implements educational problem-solving programs for coastal resource users, businesses, and agencies. Sea Grant supports research and provides extension education to coastal resource agencies, users, businesses, and residents and is patterned after the land-grand concept; programs include coastal zone management, tourism and small business development, coastal environmental quality, and seafood processing.

What You Will Do

As the Great Lakes Outreach Specialist, you will provide major leadership to increase appreciation, stewardship, awareness, and understanding of New York’s Great Lakes and Great Rivers and efforts to restore and protect them. Additionally, you will serve as a technical advisor for New York’s Great Lakes Small Grants program. Conduct technical reviews of outreach and education proposals and assistance to funded outreach and education grants. Other responsibilities include:

• Disseminating information that will promote sustainable behavior change.
• Developing significant new subject matter materials such as curricula and extension education publications.
• Planning and conducting extension education programs.
• Providing leadership for the design, execution, and analysis of extension/outreach program evaluations.
• Developing funding priorities and work plans to translate technical information about New York’s Great Lakes and Great Rivers, its health status and trends, and efforts to restore it.

What We Need

We are looking for an individual who excels at building relationships with multiple stakeholders, businesses, non-profit organizations, and environmental justice communities. We need someone who is self-motivated and has strong customer service skills with a focus on excellence. Additionally, we need someone who has:

• Master’s degree from an accredited university in Great Lakes science, environmental science, environmental education, natural resources management or equivalent field. 
• 2+ years of experience working with an outreach or similar public education program. 
• Good working knowledge of computer skills needed for layout and design of educational materials and newsletters.
• Experience using ESRI and other GIS and mapping tools.
• Must be able to meet the travel requirements of the position and have reliable transportation as well as have and maintain a valid and unrestricted New York State driver’s license.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as essential job functions require.
• Participate in professional team efforts.
• Relate effectively to co-workers, advisors, community and professional leaders, and targeted audiences.
• Communicate effectively through oral, written, and visual channels.

If you possess these experiences and skills, this may be the role for you!  There are a few other qualifications that we would view as incredibly helpful in this role, including:

• Experience working in team settings with staff from numerous agencies to work on mutually agreed upon goals. 
• Experience working in the Great Lakes.
• Experience using social media.

This position is full-time and will be located in Amherst, New York. There is the opportunity to work remotely within New York State two days a week; an on-site presence is required three days a week.

This is a three-year appointment with possible extension depending on funding and performance.

Rewards and Benefits

We hope you appreciate great benefits. Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, well-being, sustainability, and diversity initiatives.

• Salary is based upon experience/qualifications and is within the following range: $71,000.00 to $77,000.00.
• Cornell has a comprehensive total rewards program that offers several benefits options to meet your needs. More information on our wonderful programs can be found at https://hr.cornell.edu/jobs/your-total-rewards .

To apply:

Please apply via Academic Jobs Online (https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/27252 ).

Qualified candidates should submit a short cover letter, curriculum vitae, contact information for three references, and a statement supporting diverse communities (this can be a stand-alone document (preferred) or the information can be embedded in other parts of the application materials) outlining how, through research, teaching, service, mentoring, extension, and/or outreach, the candidate has and will contribute to support Cornell’s historical mission of “any person … any study,” via the website. 

Applications must be submitted by Friday, March 29, 2024.

For a full position description, please contact Norma Gunn ([email protected] or 607-255-2832).

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Life. Changing.

Cornell University is an innovative Ivy League and Land-grant 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.

Cornell’s regional and global presence includes state-wide Cornell Cooperative Extension programs and offices in all counties and boroughs, global partnerships with institutions and communities engaged in life-changing research and education, the medical college’s campuses on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and Doha, Qatar, and the Cornell Tech campus on Roosevelt Island in the heart of New York City.

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 strongly encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.

Pay Range:

$44,800.00 - $85,800.00

Pay Ranges:

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.
• Academic Discipline (faculty pay ranges reflects 9-month annual salary)
• Unique applicable skills.

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

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] .

Notice to Applicants:

Please read the required Notice to Applicants statement by clicking here . This notice contains important information about applying for a position at Cornell as well as some of your rights and responsibilities as an applicant.

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.

2024-02-28