Fruit IPM Coordinator

Senior Extension Associate

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

CALS embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We invite individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized communities (individuals who identify as Black, Indigenous, people of color (BIPOC), Latin American and other marginalized identities) to apply. Our ongoing commitment is focused on creating practices that advance racial and social equity, invest in community impact programs for the benefit of underrepresented communities, and expand upon project work related to racial equity and social justice.

What You Will Do

As an innovative and experienced educator, you will expand knowledge and access to sustainable pest management practices in fruit agroecosystems. You will work collaboratively, across disciplines, and with a variety of stakeholders, to develop, demonstrate, and guide IPM implementation efforts in fruit crops across NYS. You will champion diversity, equity and inclusion by providing unbiased access to world-class research, industry expertise and pest management strategies to all New York farmers and growers and serve as a trusted resource, enabling stakeholders to build knowledge and develop skills to successfully implement IPM approaches to crop protection. At Cornell AgriTech, we grow things, and we invite you to grow with us.

What We Need

We are looking for a talented, dynamic and engaging leader, who is passionate about extension, outreach and research, to join our award-winning team of IPM professionals and is able to excite and work with diverse audiences, building relationships with multiple stakeholders to identify and address the key issues impacting fruit systems in the state.

Direct supervision is received from the NYSIPM Director. Additional input will be given by the faculty and Extension staff with fruit responsibilities. Furthermore, input will come from IPM practitioners, professionals, and organizations as well as residents of New York State affected by fruit IPM practices.

Anticipated Division of Time

Program Development: 25%

Identify Fruit IPM program needs and opportunities in NY and ways to best reduce environmental, health and economic risks with IPM. Consult with NYSIPM Program educators, off-campus extension staff, Cornell faculty, program advisory committees, growers, private consultants, and ag business personnel. Plan, implement and evaluate educational programs in Fruit IPM that address producer identified needs and opportunities. Emphasis is on the demonstration and adoption of IPM principles and practices. Ensure educational programs are delivered accessibly, equitably, and inclusively. Ensure that program direction and IPM-related activities are coordinated with the overall plans of regional and County-based extension programs and associations in NY. Develop and enhance relationships with appropriate agencies, organizations, and community leaders as an IPM resource. Develop educational materials in support of Fruit IPM, such as webpages, manuals, fact sheets, field guides, videos, websites, apps, etc. in consultation with the NYSIPM Program Director. Monitor program to ensure that educational content conforms to policies and objectives of Cornell University. Ensure that program direction and activities align with the ongoing work and recommendations of the CCE Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion/Belonging Core Leadership Team and other similar groups. Program and Administrative direction and guidance provided by the NYSIPM Program Director.

Program Implementation: 25%

Implement a statewide educational program, and facilitate adoption of Fruit IPM Guide off-campus extension staff as they develop, implement, and evaluate educational programs. Emphasize risk-reducing IPM methods that maintain profitability. Provide training and demonstrate IPM principles and practices that lead to IPM adoption. Provide research-based IPM knowledge through educational activities for off-campus extension staff, private consultants, field representatives, growers and others through a variety of means including but not exclusive to: Direct teaching (e.g. meetings, workshops, on-farm consultations); Online course development; Social and mass media outreach (electronic and print). Develop training materials including webpages, videos, manuals, apps, fact sheets, field appropriate guides, etc.

Applied Research: 25%

Conduct applied, integrated research designed to fill IPM knowledge gaps, in cooperation with appropriate faculty and extension field staff, and/or independently. 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 and social media, and other extension publications.

Program Evaluation: 10%

Evaluate, document and report the efficacy, environmental impact, and cost of Fruit IPM projects, programs and practices, as well as the level of adoption and accessible, inclusive, and equitable delivery of programming and resources. Develop and communicate IPM program evaluation options on an area basis to ensure the documentation of impacts. Work with area extension staff to evaluate the environmental, health and economic impact of their program efforts. Regularly communicate area program activities and impacts to other IPM Program Coordinators, faculty, off-campus extension staff, program advisory committee members, growers, and private consultants. Share results in quarterly and annual reports with the IPM Program; and local, state and federal partners and agencies. Identify and report IPM knowledge gaps and information transfer problems. Present results of IPM implementation and research projects at appropriate local, regional, state, and national meetings.

Professional Development: 10%

Participate in professional development opportunities, conferences and workshops appropriate to program and personal skill enhancement. This includes opportunities for professional development in the areas of equity and inclusion offered through NYS IPM, CCE, CALS, and Cornell University. File professional improvement plan and constructively evaluate self-performance for improvement and subject matter excellence. Stay informed of advances in Fruit IPM. Participate in related regional, statewide, and national professional organizations as appropriate.

Supervision: 5%

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

Required Qualifications:

M.Sc. degree required in entomology, plant pathology, weed science, horticulture, agronomy, or a closely related field. Must have a strong background in integrated pest management. Be able to design, execute and analyze complex field experiments. Fundamental competence utilizing current technology to communicate to diverse audiences using a variety of format. Minimum of 8 years of experience in Extension education and/or research in IPM (which could include time spent pursuing a graduate degree).

Preferred Qualifications:

Ph.D. degree in entomology, plant pathology, weed science, horticulture, agronomy, or a closely related field. Four to five years of professional leadership and practical/relevant work experience in one of these fields or in IPM, Cooperative Extension, crop production, pest management, or in developing and implementing informal educational programs. Experience in conducting, interpreting, evaluating, and communicating the results of applied research. 

Bilingual in English and Spanish is desirable.

Must possess or have the ability to acquire a New York State Certified Pesticide Applicators License.

Must possess or have the ability to acquire a New York Driver’s License.

Must be authorized to work in the United States.

What We Offer

This is a full-time, 100% FTE position. Flexible working location could be considered but should permit regular access to the main fruit growing areas of NY and the Cornell AgriTech campus. This is non-tenure track position with an initial three (3) year appointment.. Reappointment is contingent upon available resources and successful performance.

Cornell takes pride in offering generous benefits to support and enhance your health and wellness, including generous time off, competitive health insurance, retirement plans and a tuition assistance program. Here’s a quick overview of the kind of benefits that have made us an award-winning employer of choice:

https://hr.cornell.edu/jobs/benefits-snapshot

Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University's heritage. We're a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities. 

Learn more about our ongoing efforts promoting diversity, equity and inclusion at Cornell AgriTech, NYSIPM, and CALS:

https://nysipm.cornell.edu/about/nysipm-equity-and-justice-statement/

https://cals.cornell.edu/cornell-agritech/about-agritech/DEI

https://cals.cornell.edu/diversity-inclusion

Interested candidates should apply online at Academic Jobs Online at https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/21361 with a Cover Letter, Curriculum Vitae, a statement of diversity, equity, and inclusion and names and contact information for three references.