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

As the Coastal Climate Specialist, you will provide expertise in climate science and solutions to challenges presented by climate change to local governments, community organizations, and coastal businesses. Serve as a primary resource on climate solutions developing programming related to offshore renewable energy development for local governments and community organizations, carbon cycling (such as ocean acidification and carbon sequestration), and/or other climate resilience issues as appropriate. Your primary geographic area responsibility includes New York State’s Marine and Coastal District; however, some programming support may also be needed for the Great Lakes region. Other responsibilities include:

• Developing networks of volunteers to assist in educational program development and initiating volunteer training efforts.
• Developing and implementing an extension and outreach program to inform and support management, conservation, restoration, and sustainable development activities.
• Providing leadership for the design, execution, and analysis of extension/outreach program evaluations. 
• Implementing programs using various extension tools such as publications, electronic technology, group experiences, mass media, individual advisement, websites, visualizations, and other related techniques. 
• Integrating Sea Grant Extension and University coastal resources programming initiatives in a statewide, regional, and/or national context.
• Actively pursue outside grants and contracts to support program area. 

What We Need

We are looking for an individual who excels at building relationships with multiple stakeholders. We need someone who can identify and address stakeholder needs and translate science-based research. In this role, you will work within the Marine District region and develop a unique and impactful extension and applied research program. Additionally, we need someone who has:

• Master’s degree in ocean and coastal management, marine policy, environmental management/policy, planning, environmental economics, marine sciences, climate science, natural resource management, or other related fields.
• 2+ years of experience working with outreach or similar public education program.
• Knowledge of principles, theory, research, extension methods, and educational materials in the subject matter field related to coastal management.
• Advanced computer skills and the ability to use computer and long-distance education technologies in this area of extension programming expertise.
• Knowledge to define, conduct, and interpret original applied research and/or demonstration projects.
• Ability to lead and effectively participate in professional team efforts; relate effectively to co-workers, advisors, various stakeholders (e.g., local governments, community organizations, coastal businesses etc.), 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:

• 5+ years of experience working with outreach or similar public education program.
• Experience working on offshore wind issues.
• Fluency in Spanish
• Experience with facilitation.
• Demonstrated ability to develop adult educational/outreach programs.

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: $75,000 to $78,000.
• 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/25439).

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 September 30, 2023.

For a full position description, go to  https://seagrant.sunysb.edu/articles/t/job-announcement-coastal-climate-specialist-ocean-and-marine-outreach-news  or contact Norma Gunn (nlg43@cornell.edu or 607-255-2832).

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.