Senior Extension Associate Honey Bee Studies

Entomology/CALS, United States

Updated: almost 2 years ago
Location: New York City, NEW YORK
Deadline: 26 Jun 2022
Position ID:Cornell -Entomology/CALS -SREXTASSOCBEES [#21891, WDR-00031696]
Position Title: 
Position Type:Other
Position Location:Ithaca, New York 14853, United States [map ]
Subject Area: Biology
Appl Deadline:2022/06/26 11:59PM (posted 2022/06/06, listed until 2022/06/26)
Position Description:  Apply    

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT
Department of Entomology
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY


POSITION:  Senior Extension Associate
LOCATION: Dyce Laboratory for Honey Bee Studies
Cornell University
209 Freese Road, Ithaca, NY 14850
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.
SUMMARY: Continuing pollinator declines and severe die-offs of managed honey bee colonies, our principal agricultural pollinators and honey producers, demand focused research and extension to understand and mitigate the major factors contributing to these losses. Today, beekeepers and other pollinator stakeholders face challenges balancing the need to manage stress from parasites and diseases, pesticide exposure, and poor nutrition with the demand to maximize honey yields and fulfill pollination requirements. The beekeeping industry and other pollinator stakeholders benefit from targeted, evidence-based extension from Cornell University. The senior extension associate will work to increase adoption of best management practices to improve the status of pollinator health in New York State. 
BASIC FUNCTION AND RESPONSIBILITY: The successful candidate will develop, lead, and evaluate extension programs that serve the diverse beekeeping industry and other pollinator stakeholders of New York State. Through such programs, the candidate will be expected to contribute to general education for beekeepers and other pollinator stakeholders of all experience levels, developing and communicating best management practices that can reduce losses and maximize productivity. The candidate will also conduct applied research that investigates the major causes of colony loss in the state. They will work closely with faculty and staff of Cornell CALS, Cornell Cooperative Extension, New York State Departments of Agriculture & Markets and Environmental Conservation, the United States Department of Agriculture, and other stakeholders to achieve these goals. 
PROGRAM JUSTIFICATION:  Since 2006, NYS beekeepers have lost between 40-68% of their colonies each year. The economic impact of honey bee and other pollinator losses are significant not only to beekeepers, but also for NYS fruit and vegetable growers, and ultimately to food consumers. There are many factors that play a role in honey bee colony losses, including pests and diseases, nutrition, genetics, and pesticides. The relative impacts of these factors on honey bees in NYS, and how beekeeper management practices can mitigate these factors, require thorough investigation and education. Furthermore, the New York beekeeping industry is dynamic and growing each year; the public awareness surrounding colony losses has lead to a substantial increase in the number of beekeepers who manage honey bees, growing the audience that requires education. 
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  Address honey bee health and management issues in the context of related past and on-going research in New York State, the US, and abroad. Educate beekeepers in New York on best management practices. Apply for additional funds to support applied research/extension efforts. 
Develop and run extension programs that educate beekeepers (50%)
Lead the NYS Beekeeper Tech Team, an interdisciplinary group that works one-on-one with hobbyist, siderliner, and commercial beekeepers to sample honey bee colonies and provide recommendations to improve honey bee health and increase the viability of beekeeping businesses. The duties in this role include designing the program, enrolling beekeepers, sampling 300+ colonies twice a year in collaboration with Bee Informed Partnership (BIP) personnel and a technician, meeting annually with beekeepers, analyzing individual beekeeper results and state-wide trends, preparing reports, evaluating the impact of the program, and directly supervising the team’s full-time technician and agricultural economist. 
Develop and manage the Master Beekeeper Program (10%)
Manage the Cornell University Master Beekeeper Program, an advanced educational program comprised of 4 online courses and 3 final exams, run through eCornell. The duties in this role include adding content to the program, updating existing course materials, advertising the program, expanding course enrollment, facilitating the courses, answering student questions, facilitating class discussions, grading assignments and final exams, and supervising additional instructors. 
Manage the Cornell University Introductory Beekeeper Course, an online beginner beekeeping course, run through eCornell, that educates new beekeepers in best management practices. The duties in this role include developing course content as needed, updating existing course materials, advertising the program, expanding course enrollment, facilitating the courses, answering student questions, facilitating class discussions, grading assignments and final exams, and supervising additional instructors. 
Create extension materials and deliver content to beekeepers (15%)
Organize, develop, and teach workshops on queen rearing, pest and disease management, and other beekeeping practices. 
Develop and maintain a website as a resource for beekeeping and other pollinator-related information, pollinator news, and research programs at Cornell (www.pollinator.cals.cornell.edu). Create and maintain social media accounts for the Dyce Laboratory for Honey Bee Studies such as Facebook (www.facebook.com/DyceLab) and YouTube.
Deliver talks to stakeholders at New York State beekeeping clubs, Cornell Cooperative Extension events, and major state, national, and international beekeeping organizations and conferences.
Write and make available information sheets on best management practices for beekeeping.
Maintain a ~15-hive teaching apiary for use in Cornell University Master Beekeeper exams, workshops, demonstrations, etc. 
Create and disseminate a quarterly online newsletter on best management practices and Cornell University pollinator research. 
Conduct extension to other pollinator stakeholders (10%)
Provide information, training webinars, and workshops to Cooperative Extension agents, horticulturists, gardeners, farmers, state agency groups, and other community stakeholders as needed through Cooperative Extension events and other public fora.
Answer e-mails, phone calls, and in-person questions regarding beekeeping, pollinator health, pollination, and other pollinator topics as needed.
Deliver talks on various aspects of honey bee and pollinator health, Cornell’s Pollinator Research and Extension Program, and the beekeeping industry in New York State.
Serve as an advisor for pollinator health research and extension priorities (e.g., for the NYS Apiary Industry Advisory Committee, Mid-Atlantic Apiculture Research & Extension Consortium, Apiary Inspectors of  America, etc.).
Conduct/assist with applied research (10%)
Lead the design, oversight, and implementation of additional honey bee research projects and research colony management at the Dyce Lab.
Apply for additional funds to support applied research and extension efforts (5%)
Identify and secure external funding through grant writing, foundation requests, corporate sponsorships, and other sources of support.
This is a two-year, term position, renewable depending on funding, available work, and performance.
QUALIFICATIONS: MS degree in Entomology, Biology, or related field is required.  8 or more years of experience in beekeeping. Outstanding interpersonal and organizational skills.  Excellent written and oral communication skills.
PREFERRED: At least 8 years of beekeeping experience and experience with extension and outreach activities, including planning and running extension programs.
SALARY: commensurate with experience
SUPERVISION: Scott McArt
SUPERVISION EXERCISED: The candidate will supervise employees hired to work on the NYS Beekeeper Tech Team, the Cornell Master Beekeeper Program, and various honey bee research projects.
Application Instructions:
Interested applicants should submit a CV, cover letter, research and/or extension statement, contact information for 3 references and a statement of contribution to diversity, equity, and inclusion via Academic Jobs Online at the following link: https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/21891 .  Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until a candidate is selected or the application deadline which is June 26, 2022.

Employment Assistance: 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 Department of Inclusion and Workforce Diversity at voice (607) 255-3976, fax (607) 255-7481, or email at [email protected]. For general questions about the position or the application process, please contact the Recruiter listed in the job posting. Applicants that do not have internet access are encouraged to visit your local library, or local Department of Labor. You may also visit the office of Workforce Recruitment and Retention Monday - Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. to use a dedicated workstation to complete an online application. 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, Protected Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations. 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.

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