CALS- Senior Field Coordinator- Perennial Crops Steward- Field Research Unit- Agritech

Cornell University • Geneva, IL

17d • $29 - $34 • Onsite

About The Position

Senior Field Coordinator- Perennial Crops Steward The Opportunity 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 at Cornell University embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We strongly encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply . The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) is a pioneer of purpose-driven science and home to Cornell University’s second largest population of students, faculty and staff. 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. CALS is fundamentally invested in improving the lives of people, their environments and their communities both in New York state and around the world. The Field Research Unit (FRU) provides services to faculty, staff and students engaged in field research at Cornell AgriTech. FRU manages all land, field facilities, and equipment used in support of field research. FRU provides basic services for research conducted in Cornell AgriTech field plots including but not limited to site preparation, fertilization, and pesticide applications. What We Need The Perennial Crops Steward is within the Field Research Unit (FRU) - at the Cornell AgriTech, New York State Agricultural Experiment Station (NYSAES) in Geneva, NY. Providing direct support for faculty, staff, and students engaged in field research. FRU manages all land, field facilities, and equipment used in support of field research. FRU provides field and research support services for research conducted in Cornell AgriTech field plots. The Perennial Crops Steward is responsible for collaborating with Project Investigators and their staff, FRU staff, and the FRU Farm Manager to accomplish field research needs. Operating within a team setting, the Perennial Crops Steward will take the lead in coordinating FRU resources to provide research support efficiently and on schedule. Responsibilities of farm stewardship and field trial management include, but are not limited to the following: delivering expertise on diverse research-specific agricultural practices, general equipment maintenance and modifications, small-plot research preparation, pruning, land preparation, planting, fertilizing, pesticide application, cultivation, crop scouting, irrigation, drainage installations, cover crops and maintaining a soil fertility management plan, crop harvest, etc. Apply data management practices to maintain a central land-use database and track field operations (work requests, time, and materials) to ensure reliable, prompt billing. Keep up to date with new advances in technology and the application of that technology within farm operations. Work often involves inclement weather conditions. Communicate with other coordinators and staff within FRU to resolve issues, utilize equipment, and schedule labor to accomplish the mission of the FRU. Attend educational and training meetings as well as serving on committees as needed or assigned. Educate faculty, research technicians, graduate students, and staff on the safe and effective use of specialized pieces of farm equipment. Communicate and work directly with numerous faculty to ensure that their project needs are met effectively and in compliance with safety and operational standards. Other duties as assigned. Relocation assistance will not be provided for this position. General Must possess and maintain valid driver license and undergo successful driver background check and employment background check Must have ability to use computer for communications, time entry, scheduling access, product research & online training Capacity to handle confidential and sensitive information with utmost discretion required Ability to multitask Demonstrated ability to give and receive feedback, communicate, listen, respect others, set priorities and achieve them, and use time effectively Must be highly motivated and exhibit innovation, good judgment and reliability in the workplace Work with other staff as a member of a team to resolve issues and achieve common goals Provide and promote service to internal and external customers Demonstrate ability to express thoughts clearly, both orally and in writing; demonstrate effective listening skills Show initiative, anticipate needs, and take action; adapt to changing priorities, situations and demands Ability to communicate with tact and diplomacy with a wide range of internal and external customers

Requirements

• Formal training beyond a High School diploma of five years, two years college course work, or Associate’s Degree or equivalent; with minimum three years’ experience in field coordination.
• Proven ability and extensive experience to effectively operate all types of farm equipment with various farm implements.
• Working knowledge of computer programs such as those in Microsoft 365, as well as ability to understand and complete data entry for work order system.
• Must possess valid NYS Commercial Pesticide License, Category 1A.
• Demonstrate knowledge of Crop Scouting by identifying weed, disease, and insect pests, and develop functional management plans in collaboration with Research Programs.
• Must possess and maintain a valid CDL License or be able to obtain.
• Must possess and maintain valid driver license and undergo successful driver background check and employment background check
• Must have ability to use computer for communications, time entry, scheduling access, product research & online training
• Capacity to handle confidential and sensitive information with utmost discretion required
• Ability to multitask
• Demonstrated ability to give and receive feedback, communicate, listen, respect others, set priorities and achieve them, and use time effectively
• Must be highly motivated and exhibit innovation, good judgment and reliability in the workplace
• Work with other staff as a member of a team to resolve issues and achieve common goals
• Provide and promote service to internal and external customers
• Demonstrate ability to express thoughts clearly, both orally and in writing; demonstrate effective listening skills
• Show initiative, anticipate needs, and take action; adapt to changing priorities, situations and demands
• Ability to communicate with tact and diplomacy with a wide range of internal and external customers

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s in Horticulture with five or more years of related experience in a research environment.
• Proven successful experience in planning, record keeping, and organization, able to make decisions with little direction from Farm Manager.
• Caterpillar Operator Training Program - Level II Professional Operator Training Certificate.
• Commercial Driver’s License.

Responsibilities

• delivering expertise on diverse research-specific agricultural practices
• general equipment maintenance and modifications
• small-plot research preparation
• pruning
• land preparation
• planting
• fertilizing
• pesticide application
• cultivation
• crop scouting
• irrigation
• drainage installations
• cover crops and maintaining a soil fertility management plan
• crop harvest
• Apply data management practices to maintain a central land-use database and track field operations (work requests, time, and materials) to ensure reliable, prompt billing.
• Keep up to date with new advances in technology and the application of that technology within farm operations.
• Communicate with other coordinators and staff within FRU to resolve issues, utilize equipment, and schedule labor to accomplish the mission of the FRU.
• Attend educational and training meetings as well as serving on committees as needed or assigned.
• Educate faculty, research technicians, graduate students, and staff on the safe and effective use of specialized pieces of farm equipment.
• Communicate and work directly with numerous faculty to ensure that their project needs are met effectively and in compliance with safety and operational standards.
• Other duties as assigned.

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: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree