Extension Support Specialist I - Conservation and Land Use Specialist

Culture of Inclusion and Community Standards

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.

While position responsibilities vary greatly, the Skills for Success and Leadership Skills for Success are foundational to what is expected of every employee and leader working at Cornell. These skills are essential for individual and organizational success. Staff Skills for Success; Leadership Skills for Success

Department Background

Unique among peer institutions in the United States, the breadth of disciplinary expertise in the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment – from ethics and social sciences to conservation genetics and applied ecology – creates a stimulating multidisciplinary atmosphere for our students, staff, faculty and visiting scholars. We have strong collaborative ties across Cornell University, other universities, governmental agencies, and leading environmental and conservation organizations.

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.

The watershed of the tidal Hudson River in southeastern New York is recognized for its rich biological diversity. With greater than 80% of the estuary watershed in private landownership, many communities and groups have a role in decision-making and stewardship of its lands and waters, including more than 250 local governments and dozens of land trusts. Since 2001, the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment (DNRE) at Cornell and the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation’s (NYSDEC) Hudson River Estuary Program have partnered to implement strategies in the five-year Hudson River Estuary Action Agenda to achieve biodiversity conservation in the watershed.

DNRE staff on the Conservation and Land Use Team at the Estuary Program support the Action Agenda and advance conservation of important habitat, natural areas, and ecological connectivity in the watershed by engaging communities and partners in science-based land-use and conservation planning.

The Conservation and Land Use Specialist will serve as a subject matter resource to key decision-making audiences on regional biodiversity priorities and conservation planning approaches. Responsibilities include:

• creating educational materials and developing, implementing, and evaluating outreach and training programs to raise awareness, increase decision-making and planning capacity, and encourage innovative and successful models to support biodiversity conservation
• providing technical assistance to municipalities and land trusts on land-use and conservation projects that result in best practices, plans, and local policies
• contributing to partner projects designed to increase understanding of watershed biodiversity, including GIS analyses
• assisting with the annual Amphibian Migrations and Road Crossings Project, including volunteer support and training, and data management.

The Conservation and Land Use Specialist will receive programmatic direction and oversight from the Estuary Program’s Conservation and Land Use Team Leader to independently implement tasks and will work closely with Estuary Program and DNRE colleagues, as well as many partner programs, agencies, and organizations. Travel throughout the Hudson Valley and occasionally to Albany and Ithaca is required. Frequent attendance at evening and weekend meetings and workshops is also required.

For more information:

• Conservation and Land Use Planning in the Hudson River Estuary Watershed: https://hudson.dnr.cals.cornell.edu/
• Hudson River Estuary Program:  https://dec.ny.gov/nature/waterbodies/oceans-estuaries/hudson-river-estuary-program

This position, located in New Paltz, NY, is a termed appointment position through December 31, 2025.

Annual appointments are expected and will be conditional upon satisfactory performance and available funding

Relocation assistance is not available for this position.
Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 2 to 4 years relevant experience or equivalent combination.
• Familiarity with municipal land-use and conservation planning.
• Experience with outreach or adult education, including in-person and virtual programming.
• Proficient computer skills, including Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, and Word), ArcGIS and Survey123, and remote work platforms (e.g., Teams, Zoom).
• Ability and desire to learn and adapt to new technology.
• Critical thinking skills and ability to work on multiple tasks in a face-paced, changing environment.
• Excellent English communication skills including public speaking. Ability to speak confidently and concisely particularly in group situations. 
• Excellent and detail-oriented written communication and editing skills.
• Skills in problem solving, critical thinking, and proper judgment in accomplishing tasks whether acting independently or participating effectively on a team.
• Capability to coordinate projects with a diversity of stakeholders and partners with a range of interests and backgrounds.
• Ability to work as part of a professional team, promoting cooperation and collaboration, as well as exercising independent judgment to carry out discrete tasks.
• Sound and ethical judgment when acting on behalf of the University and the Hudson River Estuary Program.
• Ability to work nights and weekends to attend specific meetings or programs.
• Must have and maintain and valid and unrestricted NYS driver’s license and be cleared to drive for Cornell University business operations
• Experience in and/or demonstrated commitment to supporting diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and wellbeing.
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive and equitable working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in biology, ecology, natural resources, geography, environmental planning, or related field.
• Knowledge of Hudson Valley biology and ecology.
• Knowledge of New York’s local land-use system and processes, natural resource inventories, open space planning, and local conservation policy options.
• Knowledge of habitat stewardship and management practices.
• Experience with group facilitation and community engagement, especially in municipal land-use planning contexts.
• Experience with biological data and GIS applications for identification of conservation priorities.
• Creativity in designing and delivering outreach materials, and ability to communicate biological and conservation planning concepts to diverse lay and professional audiences.
• Experience with community science projects including engaging volunteers and managing large volunteer data sets.
• Experience with inclusive engagement and working with disadvantaged or marginalized communities to facilitate their participation in decision-making.

Familiarize yourself with Cornell's COVID-19 workplace guidance as well as the university's COVID-19 services and information.

University Job Title:

Extension Supp Spec I

Job Family:

Academic Support

Level:

E

Pay Rate Type:

Salary

Pay Range:

$62,035.00 - $67,938.00

Remote Option Availability:

Hybrid

Company:

Contract College

Contact Name:

Bert Whalen

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.

Current Employees:

If you currently work at Cornell University, please exit this website and log in to Workday using your Net ID and password. Select the Career icon on your Home dashboard to view jobs at Cornell.

Online Submission Guidelines:

Most positions at Cornell will require you to apply online and submit both a resume/CV and cover letter. You can upload documents either by “dragging and dropping” them into the dropbox or by using the “upload” icon on the application page. For more detailed instructions on how to apply to a job at Cornell, visit How We Hire on the HR website.

Employment Assistance:

For general questions about the position or the application process, please contact the Recruiter listed in the job posting or email [email protected].

If you require an accommodation for a disability in order to complete an employment application or to participate in the recruiting process, you are encouraged to contact Cornell University's Office of Institutional Equity and Title IX at voice (607) 255-2242, or email at [email protected].

Applicants that do not have internet access are encouraged to visit your local library, or local Department of Labor. You may also request an appointment to use a dedicated workstation in the Office of Talent Attraction and Recruitment, at the Ithaca campus, by emailing [email protected].

Notice to Applicants:

Please read the required Notice to Applicants statement by clicking here. This notice contains important information about applying for a position at Cornell as well as some of your rights and responsibilities as an applicant.

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.

2024-11-15