CALS_ Technician II- Department of Natural Resources

Cornell University • Ithaca, NY

5d • $23 - $24 • Onsite

About The Position

As a university founded to be a place where “…any person can find instruction in any study,” inclusion and belonging 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 inclusion, belonging, 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 About the College 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: We believe that achieving next-generation scientific breakthroughs requires an understanding of the world’s complex, interlocking systems. We believe that access to nutritious food and a healthy environment is a fundamental human right. We believe that ensuring a prosperous global future depends on the ability to support local people and communities everywhere. By working in and across multiple scientific areas, CALS can address challenges and opportunities of the greatest relevance, here in New York, across the nation, and around the world. This full-time appointment will provide technical support to the New York State Hemlock Initiative (NYSHI) funded by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The mission of NYSHI is to conduct research and outreach on the conservation of eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) in the face of threats posed primarily by the hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA, Adelges tsugae) and to support the educational, outreach and extension programs of the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment (DNRE) and Cornell University. The technical support provided by this position will be largely laboratory-based with a small component of field work. This is a full-time, on-site position at 97.5% FTE . This is a one-year term appointment that is contingent upon available work, funding, and performance. While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a 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. Relocation assistance will not be provided for this position.

Requirements

• High school diploma and up to 2 years of relevant experience or equivalent combination.
• Must be willing to conduct fieldwork, including insect collecting and site surveys, in a variety of weather conditions.
• Able to provide care for delicate insect research specimens and samples.
• Ability to lift up to 40 lbs., climb onto stepladders, and bend or crouch down, while wearing full Tyvek PPE suits and gloves in a warm environment.
• Detail-oriented and able to strictly adhere to standard operating procedures.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite – including Word, PowerPoint, and Excel and management of complex datasets.
• Ability to work autonomously and make decisions that will result in desired outcomes for lab, field, and extension projects.
• Ability to participate in group travel within New York State, to site locations from Buffalo to Lake Champlain.
• Must have and maintain a valid and unrestricted driver’s license and be cleared to drive for university business.
• Must be personable, motivated, and enthusiastic about working in a group environment.
• Experience working directly with people from various socioeconomic backgrounds.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Biology, Conservation Biology, or other related natural science field.
• Experience or coursework in forest health and/or entomology.
• Experience with lab and field equipment, including autoclaves, aspirators, cameras, data loggers, digital and standard microscopes, analytical balance, soil moisture meter, tissue grinders, freeze-dryer, pipettors, and Percival growth chambers.
• Prior experience working with insects in a USDA certified quarantine laboratory setting.
• Prior knowledge of safety protocols in a lab setting and proper waste handling.
• Strong familiarity with GIS mapping systems.
• Experience with educational outreach, working with the public, governmental organizations, and nonprofit organizations.

Benefits

• Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, and sustainability.
• Our benefits programs include comprehensive health care options, generous retirement contributions, access to wellness programs, and employee discounts with local and national retail brands.
• We invite you to follow this link to get more information about our benefits: Understand Your Benefits | Working at Cornell .
• Our leave provisions include health and personal leave, three weeks of vacation and 13 holidays: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, and an end of the year winter break from December 25-January 1.
• To offer greater flexibility for observing faiths and traditions we also offer two additional floating holidays.
• Learn more about our generous leave provisions: Holiday and Accrued Time Off | Working at Cornell
• Cornell's impressive educational benefits include tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program, tuition aid for external education, and Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance Program.
• Learn more about our extensive educational benefits: Education Benefits | Working at Cornell
• Follow this link to learn more about the Total Rewards of Working at Cornell: Total Rewards | Working at Cornell .

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED