Senior Extension Associate-Field Crops IPM Coordinator

Academic Job Description

NYS Integrated Pest Management Program

Senior Extension Associate

Field Crops IPM Coordinator

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

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) is a pioneer of purpose-driven science and home to Cornell University’s second largest population of students, faculty and staff. 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: natural and human systems; food, energy and environmental resources; and social, physical and economic well-being.  CALS is fundamentally invested in improving the lives of people, their environments and their communities both in New York state and around the world.

Position Function

The New York State Integrated Pest Management Program (NYSIPM) at Cornell AgriTech is part of CALS and Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) at Cornell University, the Land Grant University of New York State. We advance the lives and livelihoods of NYS residents through teaching, research, and public service. The NYSIPM is comprised of 21 faculty and staff, physically located at Cornell AgriTech, Geneva, NY and elsewhere in the state. Our current expertise spans fruit, vegetable, ornamental, field crop and livestock; turfgrass and school IPM; and rodent, tick, and invasive species. Presently, two staff members have communication and/or marketing responsibilities. Several NYSIPM faculty and staff utilize basic online analytic methods to measure program impact.

We are looking for a talented, dynamic, and engaging leader who is passionate about research, extension, and outreach and can inspire and work with diverse audiences, building relationships with multiple stakeholders to promote the adoption of field crop IPM across the state.

Forages, corn for grain and silage, and soybeans constitute the largest acreage in agricultural production in New York, along with substantial acreages of small grains for animal and human consumption. Field crops are grown on a wide range of farm sizes using various production practices, including both conventional and organic, mainly to support a diverse dairy industry. With large acreage comes the potential for large positive or negative impacts on surrounding communities and ecosystems. Increasing the adoption of resilient and sustainable pest management practices in field crops in New York has tremendous potential to improve farm profitability while minimizing potential negative impacts.

This position requires an experienced scientist to lead program development to promote the adoption of IPM practices and to research and communicate the potential risks and benefits of field crops IPM practices, including seed treatments, genetically engineered crops, and their alternatives to provide objective information for CALS and CCE colleagues and policymakers.  A strong background and experience in seed treatment technology and risk assessment is preferred. In addition, the person in this role will work with NYS IPM colleagues in other commodities to help identify the highest-risk uses of seed treatment technologies and help develop mitigation strategies or alternatives to address urgent needs.

Anticipated Division of Time

Lead Program Development and implementation: 35%

·         Identify Field Crops IPM program needs and opportunities in NY and ways to best reduce environmental, health, and economic risks with IPM in consultation with off-campus Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) staff, Cornell faculty, program advisory committees, growers, private consultants, and ag business personnel.

·         Lead planning, implementing, and evaluating research and educational programs in Field Crops IPM that address identified needs and opportunities.

·         Establish and foster relationships with academic and industry experts to stay up to date on current and future pest management technologies.

·         Provide leadership in anticipating future challenges to existing technologies and prioritizing applied research needs.

·         Establish and foster relationships with grower organizations and policymakers to become a trusted source of objective information on the risks and benefits of pest management technologies.

·         Provide leadership, technical guidance, and educational support in Field Crops IPM for NYSIPM staff, regional Agricultural Team members, and Cooperative Extension staff.

·         Participate in the development and implementation of digital IPM tools and resources such as the Network of Environment and Weather Applications (NEWA)  and the Environment Impact Quotient (EIQ) .

·         Participate in university, regional, state, or national partner committees.

Applied Research: 45%:

Conduct applied research focusing on:

·         Alternative management practices for pests for which existing technologies are under threat due to loss of availability, resistance development, or other factors.

·         Effectiveness, impacts, and economics of chemical and cultural alternatives to threatened technologies.

·         Barriers to adoption of alternative IPM practices in field crops.

·         Knowledge gaps in understanding the risks of seed treatment technologies across agricultural commodities, in collaboration with faculty and NYS IPM commodity specialists.

·         Lead and cooperate on grant and funding proposals with agencies, organizations, faculty, and extension personnel that will address IPM applied research needs and generate program support.

·         Collect, analyze, and interpret data as needed.

·         Prepare reports for granting agencies, NYSIPM publications, social media, and other extension publications.

·         Prepare and publish extension and peer-reviewed publications.

Outreach and Education: 10%

• Promote the adoption of IPM practices through on-farm demonstrations of new and established practices in collaboration with CCE colleagues.
• Share research results with farmers, extension colleagues, and policymakers
• Provide objective information on the risks and benefits of seed treatment technologies to stakeholders, including farmers, academic and extension colleagues, policy-makers, and the general public, through conversations, presentations, publications, web resources, social media, videos, and podcasts as appropriate.

Program Evaluation: 10%

• Evaluate the impacts on grower practices, and economic and environmental benefits of major programming efforts.
• Report impacts in quarterly and annual reports and communications to funding agencies and other stakeholders as needed.
• Revise programming in response to identified program gaps and needs for improvement.
• Collaborate with evaluation teams to devise improved methods for assessing the adoption and effects of extension programs and research.

 Requirements

• M.S. degree in entomology, plant pathology, agronomy, horticulture, or a related field and six or more years of related work experience (eight or more if the qualifying degree is a master’s degree that is non-terminal for the field). Six to eight years of professional leadership and practical/relevant work experience in one of these fields.
• Experience in conducting, interpreting, evaluating, and communicating applied research results. 
• Experience in and/or demonstrated commitment to supporting diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and wellbeing.
• Experience in writing grant proposals.
• Experience working with diverse audiences.
• Must possess or could acquire a New York State Certified Pesticide Applicators License.
• Must possess or have the ability to acquire a New York Driver’s License.

Preferred:

• Ph.D. degree in entomology, plant pathology, agronomy, horticulture, or a related field. Four to five years of professional leadership and practical/relevant work experience in IPM, plant pathology, entomology, agronomy, horticulture, or Cooperative Extension.
• Work experience in conducting, interpreting, evaluating, and communicating applied research results. 
• Extensive professional work experience in crop protection and production, pest management, Cooperative Extension, or developing and implementing educational programs.
• A strong background and experience in seed treatment technologies and risk assessment.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish is desirable.

Supervision Exercised:

• Provide respectful, supportive, and inclusive supervision and guidance for technical support staff, as needed.
• Provide guidance to IPM extension educators on seed treatment technologies and the development of educational materials.
• May provide direct supervision for project personnel.

To apply:

Please apply via Academic Jobs Online (https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/27197 ) .

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.  Please also provide an IPM Philosophy Statement.

Applications will be reviewed as received, continuing until a suitable applicant is identified.

CALS hiring range for this title is $93,389 to $97,000

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:

$70,400.00 - $170,700.00

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.

2024-02-21