Position Description

Sustainable and Resilient Community Extension Educator

Extension Associate

New York Sea Grant

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Cornell University

Queens, 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 Sustainable and Resilient Community Extension Educator, will engage with and provide education and outreach for local governments, organizations, and Long Island Sound Study coastal communities in the Bronx and Queens in order to increase awareness of and local capacity to implement goals of the Sustainable and Resilient Communities work plan. Additionally, you will provide guidance and training to communities related to planning and permitting processes to achieve sustainability and resilience goals. Other responsibilities include:

• Disseminating information that will support the implementation of management, conservation, restoration, and sustainable development activities. 
• Developing significant new subject matter materials such as curricula and extension education publications.
  
•           Providing leadership for the design, execution, and analysis of extension/outreach program evaluations.
•       Planning and conducting extension education programs.
• Providing technical assistance and resources related to obtaining funding and using planning tools designed to enhance sustainability and resilience.

 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 in environmental/ marine policy, coastal management, resilience, watershed management, coastal oceanography/engineering, planning, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), natural/marine resource management, or other relevant fields.  
  
•        2+ years of experience working in local governments, non-profit organizations (NGOs), or other professional organizations and communities in the field of sustainability/resilience, planning and/or adult education.
• Demonstrated superior communication (both public speaking and writing) and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and in a team setting.
• Advanced computer skills and the ability to use computer and long-distance education technologies in this area of extension programming expertise.
• 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 and be cleared to drive for university business.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends as essential job functions require.

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:

• 5+ years of experience working with municipalities/local communities.
• Experience in writing and managing grants.
• Familiarity with Cooperative Extension/Sea Grant Extension non-advocacy, research-based, and/or educational programming.
• Knowledge of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), WordPress, Constant Contact (or similar platform).
• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification or other relevant professional certification.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively engage and connect with multicultural audiences.
  

This position is full-time and will be located in Queens, 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: $80,000.00 to $86,000.00.
• 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.

Please apply via Academic Jobs Online (https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/28000).

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 August 31, 2024.

For a full position description, go to https://seagrant.sunysb.edu/articles/r/23718 or contact Norma Gunn (nlg43@cornell.edu 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.