Position Description

Jamaica Bay Coastal Resilience Specialist
Extension Associate
New York Sea Grant
Brooklyn, New York

Who We Are

 The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) at Cornell 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 identities to apply. 

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: natural and human systems; food, energy, and environmental resources; and social, physical, and economic well-being.

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

Serve as a primary technical resource on resilience for coastal communities as it relates to topics such as climate hazards, habitat restoration, planning, sea level rise, and/or coastal storms. Develop extension, outreach, education, and training programs to support community engagement and research efforts to enhance climate adaptation and resilience. Other responsibilities include:

• Providing the design, execution, and analysis of extension program evaluations.
• Planning and conducting extension education programs and developing significant new subject matter materials such as curricula and extension education publications.
• Developing networks of volunteers and/or public/private professionals (experts) to assist in educational program development.
• Developing, disseminating, and applying sound scientific, technical, and related research knowledge to improve restoration and resilience in coastal communities and natural resources.
• Disseminating and translating science-based research generated about Jamaica Bay to community members in a range of applicable formats.
• Actively pursuing outside grants and contracts.

What We Need

We are looking for an individual who excels at building relationships with multiple stakeholders and educating them on coastal resilience and coastal climate adaptation. 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 coastal management, marine/environmental policy, planning, natural resource management, interdisciplinary degrees addressing resilience, or other related fields.
• 2+ years of experience working on coastal climate adaptation with diverse constituencies, community engagement, and other policy or planning efforts.
• Knowledge of principles, theory, research, and educational materials in the subject matter field and knowledge of extension methods in the subject matter field related to coastal resource management.
• Advanced computer skills and the ability to use a computer and long-distance education technologies in the area of extension programming expertise.
• Demonstrated ability to develop educational programs and teach adults.
• Initiate, plan, conduct, and evaluate informal and/or formal adult education programs.
• Define, conduct, and interpret original applied research and/or demonstration projects.
• 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.
• 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.

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/training in the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) or other visualization support tools.
• Knowledge of climate adaption and other planning processes relevant for New York City and New York State.
• Knowledge of New York City communities.

This position is full-time and will be located in Brooklyn, New York. There is the opportunity to work remotely within New York State two days a week; an on-site presence in Brooklyn 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: $77,000 to $83,000.
• 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/25054).

Qualified candidates should submit a short cover letter, curriculum vitae, contact information for three references, and a statement of contribution to diversity, equity, and inclusion via the website. 

Applications must be submitted by July 9, 2023.

For a full position description, go to  https://seagrant.sunysb.edu/articles/r/2605  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 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. Located in Ithaca, New York, Cornell's far-flung global presence includes the medical college's campuses on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and Doha, Qatar, as well as the new Cornell Tech campus to be built 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, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities.