CALS- Technician II- Soil and Crop Sciences

Cornell University•Ithaca, NY

4d•Onsite

About The Position

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 (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. The position is located in the Weed Management and Ecology Lab headed by Dr. DiTommaso, housed within the Soil and Crop Sciences section of the Cornell School of Integrative Plant Science. This position will be focused on agrivoltaics and weed emergence projects, with support of other lab efforts as needed. Duties will include data collection and management, field preparation, sample collection, processing, and management, and other duties as assigned. Lab work will include routine technical lab support for a research program/facility, maintenance of basic laboratory records and databases, and working in the greenhouse setting up and maintaining experiments. The applicant will adhere to all disease control and laboratory safety protocols and collect lab waste for disposal, and will Complete training on lab safety and proper handling of chemicals as required by CALS EHS. Field work will occur largely at solar facilities around New York. The applicant will adhere strictly to all safety and other regulations while working at solar facilities, including completion of required safety training, maintenance of proper records, wearing appropriate PPE, and following all communication protocols for entrance and egress of the solar facilities. This position requires frequent overnight travel for remote fieldwork. This is a full-time 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. This position includes cooperation across departments and schools; respectful, flexible communication and supporting the shared objectives of colleagues in other labs is part of this position’s role. Relocation assistance will not be provided for this position.

Requirements

High school diploma and up to 2 years of relevant experience or equivalent combination
Prior experience in a laboratory setting
Prior knowledge of safety protocols in a lab setting and proper waste handling
Experience with Microsoft office suite – including Word, PowerPoint and Excel and familiarity with outlook
Ability to communicate verbally and written with faculty, staff and students
Must have and maintain a valid and unrestricted NYS driver’s license and be cleared to drive for university business
Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members

Nice To Haves

Prior experience with field work
Ability to identify plants and to learn to identify weed species
Experience farming or gardening
Experience working in solar facilities

Responsibilities

Data collection and management
Field preparation
Sample collection, processing, and management
Routine technical lab support for a research program/facility
Maintenance of basic laboratory records and databases
Working in the greenhouse setting up and maintaining experiments
Adhere to all disease control and laboratory safety protocols
Collect lab waste for disposal
Complete training on lab safety and proper handling of chemicals as required by CALS EHS
Adhere strictly to all safety and other regulations while working at solar facilities, including completion of required safety training, maintenance of proper records, wearing appropriate PPE, and following all communication protocols for entrance and egress of the solar facilities
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.
Cooperation across departments and schools; respectful, flexible communication and supporting the shared objectives of colleagues in other labs.

Benefits

Comprehensive health care options
Generous retirement contributions
Access to wellness programs
Employee discounts with local and national retail brands
Health and personal leave
Three weeks of vacation
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
Two additional floating holidays
Tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program
Tuition aid for external education
Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance Program