Cornell Botanic Gardens- Coordinator Program II - Student and Public Engagement Coordinator

As a university founded to be a place where “…any person can find instruction in any study,” diversity and inclusion are at the core of our values and mission. We strive to be a welcoming, caring, healthy, and equitable community where students, faculty, and staff with different backgrounds, perspectives, abilities, and experiences can learn, innovate, and work in an environment of respect, and feel empowered to engage in any community conversation. As a member of the Cornell University community, it is important to recognize our shared responsibility to each other to cultivate a culture of inclusion for all.  Cornell Core values 

As an individual contributor you will model and support a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and wellbeing and continually seek to understand how your role, behaviors, and actions impact the success of this culture.    

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Department Background:

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences 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.

Cornell Botanic Gardens is a living plant museum comprising over 3,800 acres of University land in three major areas: the Botanical Gardens, Arboretum, and Natural Areas. An administrative unit of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS), Cornell Botanic Gardens manages and protects these areas to support teaching and research at Cornell University; to preserve habitats and rare/endangered plants; and for public use for learning and recreation.

Rewards and Benefits:

Competitive compensation, generous time-off, and great benefits …More on Cornell Benefits

Position Summary:

While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a psychologically healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others.

This position assumes primary responsibility for the development and administration of Cornell Botanic Gardens student and public education programs and volunteer programs; student engagement programs serve approximately 3600 students a year; public education programs (including tours) serve approximately 6000 people a year and gross nearly $30,000; botanic gardens volunteers (100 active, 200 “ad hoc) provide 6000 hours of service/year, with an approximate dollar value equivalent of $150,000. The Student and Public Education Coordinator (SPE) is responsible for developing, initiating and overseeing education and engagement programs for Cornell students and the visiting public. Programs may include tours, courses, workshops, symposia, special events for Cornell students, their parents, Cornell Alumni, and  and adult public visitors that exemplify and achieve botanic gardens’ mission and vision. In this role, the SPE Coordinator must develop a cohesive vision for these multiple programs within the scope of Cornell Botanic Gardens’ mission.

Specifically, the SPE Coordinator will:

• Manage public educational programs (including, but not limited to classes, symposia, lectures, virtual programs, outreach and special events) by researching, recruiting and hiring instructors and lecturers; scheduling facilities; obtaining necessary materials and resources; establishing protocols for set-up and take-down;

• Manage Cornell Botanic Gardens’ public interpretive tour program for a variety of audiences;

• Develop, initiate, evaluate, and oversee programs for engaging Cornell students and enriching their learning goals, Cornell experience  and community/public service/volunteer efforts.

• Establish, cultivate and maintain effective relationships and collaborations with university departments, faculty, staff, students, programs, and agencies outside of the University in support of new and existing student engagement programs.

• Coordinate all botanic gardens volunteer program activities including, but not limited to, recruitment, placement, orientation, training (for botanic gardens staff), and recognition/appreciation of volunteer efforts.

• Provide supervision and mentorship to the Gardens’ Learning by Leading (LxL) Garden Ambassador (GA) Team of Cornell students that focus on planning, implementing, and evaluating activities for engaging with public audiences onsite at Cornell Botanic Gardens and in the community.

VISA SPONSORSHIP IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THIS POSITION.

Required Qualifications:

• Experience in and/or demonstrated commitment to supporting diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and wellbeing.

• Experience working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive and equitable working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members. 

• Bachelor’s degree in education, communication, plant sciences, or humanities. Knowledge of horticulture or natural resources highly desirable. 

• At least 5 years of experience or equivalent at a public garden, nature center, or museum. Experience in developing student and public engagement (education) programs, working with, training, and coordinating volunteers,  and in program and tour development highly desirable.

• Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and effectively, both orally and in writing, with all internal and external stakeholders, including the public, coupled with strong interpersonal skills. Self starter who takes the lead on initiating and developing new programmatic efforts and refining existing ones as needed.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Seven to ten years experience working at a public garden, nature center or museum.

• Direct experience initiating, developing, implementing, and evaluating engagement and education programs.

• Certification in Volunteer Administration desired.

• Supervisory experience and willingness to attend Cornell Supervisory Training.

University Job Title:

Coord Program II

Job Family:

Student Services

Level:

F

Pay Rate Type:

Salary

Pay Range:

$68,445.00 - $78,288.00

Remote Option Availability:

Onsite

Company:

Contract College

Contact Name:

J'Frances White

Job Titles and Pay Ranges:

Non-Union Positions

Noted pay ranges reflect the potential pay opportunity for each job profile. The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

• Prior relevant work or industry experience

• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position

• Unique applicable skills

• Academic Discipline

To learn more about Cornell’s non-union staff job titles and pay ranges, see Career Navigator.

Union Positions

The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined in accordance with the rates in the respective collective bargaining agreement. To learn more about Cornell’s union wages, see Union Pay Rates.

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EEO Statement:

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 encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.

2025-02-03