CALS_ S06 Field Assistant- Cornell Botanic Gardens

Cornell University • Ithaca, MI

2d • 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. 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. Under the direction of the Landscape Operations Supervisor and coordination of the Landscape Operations Crew Leader, this position performs manual labor to assist with various landscape infrastructure development, maintenance and repair projects. Landscape construction projects may include but are not limited to garden steps, walkways, paths, trails, retaining structures, benches, drainage systems, informational bulletin boards, signage and plant growing infrastructure (such as shade structures, trellises, raised beds), and other outdoor landscape infrastructure within the Cornell Botanic Gardens collections and natural areas. Use methods that protect plants, garden design and aesthetics, and sensitive habitats when working, and implement construction methods that ensure protection of natural resources and collections. Safely operate a variety of hand tools as well as equipment such as trucks over 10,000 lbs., for example Ford F550 or other one-ton trucks, tractors, and power equipment (snow blowers, tillers, saws, power tampers, augers, etc.). Substantial manual labor is involved, requiring physical fitness and awareness of safety issues. This is a full-time position at 39 hours/week, 97.5% FTE. 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.

Requirements

• High School diploma or equivalent combination of education and training.
• Minimum of one year of experience working in construction, maintenance, landscape and equipment operation.
• Demonstrated ability to positively interact with the public.
• Must have New York State driver’s license and be compliant with Cornell’s Commercial Motor Vehicle Drivers (CMV) program (a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) is not required.
• Ability to obtain OSHA 10-Hour Construction Outreach Training Program certification within 6 months of hire.
• Basic experience safely operating a variety of hand tools such as drills, a variety of saws, string trimmers, as well as equipment such as trucks over 10,000 lbs. for example Ford F550 or other one-ton trucks, tractors, and power equipment (snow blowers, tillers, power tampers, augers, etc.).
• Ability to work well in a team environment as well as being self-motivated in meeting the departmental and university goals.
• Demonstrate a positive attitude and the ability to positively adapt to various work assignments.
• Must be physically capable of performing the functions associated with this position including physical fitness and the ability to move heavy objects (more than 75 lbs.)
• May be required to report to work outside of the regularly scheduled shift to address Botanic Gardens time-sensitive operational needs.
• Must be willing to work under varying climatic conditions heat, cold, rain, exposed to noise and dusty conditions.
• Must prioritize safety in all aspects of the work and operation.
• Must be personable, flexible, possess excellent communication and organizational skills and take pride in their work.
• Must demonstrate ability to exercise sound and ethical judgment when acting on behalf of the University.
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.

Nice To Haves

• A.A.S degree in appropriate field.
• Experience working in a public garden setting and/or natural areas.
• Two or more years of experience working in landscape/construction industries.
• OSHA 10-Hour Construction Outreach Training Program certification.

Responsibilities

• This position performs manual labor to assist with various landscape infrastructure development, maintenance and repair projects.
• Landscape construction projects may include but are not limited to garden steps, walkways, paths, trails, retaining structures, benches, drainage systems, informational bulletin boards, signage and plant growing infrastructure (such as shade structures, trellises, raised beds), and other outdoor landscape infrastructure within the Cornell Botanic Gardens collections and natural areas.
• Use methods that protect plants, garden design and aesthetics, and sensitive habitats when working, and implement construction methods that ensure protection of natural resources and collections.
• Safely operate a variety of hand tools as well as equipment such as trucks over 10,000 lbs., for example Ford F550 or other one-ton trucks, tractors, and power equipment (snow blowers, tillers, saws, power tampers, augers, etc.).

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.
• 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.
• 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.

What This Job Offers

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