CALS- Technician I- Cornell Cooperative Extension Orleans County

Cornell University • New York, NY

4d • $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, School, Unit or Department 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 Cooperative Extension (CCE) provides the educational outreach functions for Cornell University’s role as New York State’s Land Grant University. Programmatically, Cornell Cooperative Extension connects the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) and the College of Human Ecology (CHE) with 55 off-campus Associations, Integrated Pest Management, New York State Sea Grant, Area Specialists, and CCE New York City. The Cornell Vegetable Program (CVP) is one of the premier agricultural extension programs in New York, serving a large multi-county region in the Central and Western part of the state. The team’s Vegetable Specialists work together with Cornell faculty and extension educators statewide to address the issues that impact the vegetable industry. The CVP provides research and educational programs and information to growers, processors and agri-business professionals, arming them with the knowledge to profitably produce and market safe and healthful vegetable crops, contributing to the viability of farms and the economic well-being of New York State. 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. Under the direction of regional vegetable specialists (Extension Associates), provide technical and program support in carrying out research and outreach that will ultimately enhance the profitability and sustainability of the vegetable industry served by the CVP. Travel to research plots on commercial vegetable farms throughout the 14-county region served by the CVP to assist in setup, data collection and harvest of research trials. Scout for insects, diseases, weeds and crop damage in research plots and commercial vegetable fields and maintain good records. Work will frequently be performed in commercial fields that have been sprayed with pesticides and will require training in Worker Protection Standards (WPS) to understand the safe field re-entry period and practices. Perform basic data entry and summary. Assist in logistical setup for educational meetings and events throughout the region. Ensure that all protocols and procedures adhere to safety requirements. This is a one-year appointment (39 hours/week) with possible extension depending on funding and performance. Working overtime (more than 40 hours/week), including evenings, is common from June through September. This position will be located in Albion, New York and will be on-site five days a week.

Requirements

• High School Diploma and 1+ years of experience in an agriculture setting, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Able to work independently in collecting and summarizing data.
• Experience utilizing current computer technology, i.e., Windows - Excel/Word/PowerPoint.
• Proven experience in communicating effectively, both written and oral.
• Possess excellent organizational experience.
• Knowledge of prioritizing multiple activities and tasks while meeting established time frames.
• Excellent customer service; must work effectively with clientele.
• Must be able to work outdoors in all types of weather.
• Will be expected to work flexible hours, occasional evenings, and weekends as job functions
• Visual concentration, attention to detail and manual dexterity are required.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Must be able to meet the travel requirements of the position, and have reliable transportation as well as have and maintain a valid and unrestricted New York State driver’s license.
• Must 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

• Associate’s Degree with coursework in vegetable production, entomology, plant pathology, weed science, horticulture, and / or agronomy.
• Experience assisting research projects, including data collection, summary, and statistical analysis.
• Experience working in agriculture or vegetable production.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical and program support in carrying out research and outreach.
• Travel to research plots on commercial vegetable farms to assist in setup, data collection and harvest of research trials.
• Scout for insects, diseases, weeds and crop damage in research plots and commercial vegetable fields and maintain good records.
• Perform basic data entry and summary.
• Assist in logistical setup for educational meetings and events throughout the region.
• Ensure that all protocols and procedures adhere to safety requirements.

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