Research Support Specialist I - Dairy Environmental Research Support Specialist

Culture of Inclusion and Community Standards

As a university founded to be a place where any person can find instruction in any study, diversity and inclusion 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.

As an individual contributor you will model and support a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, 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. ;

Department Background

Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences tackles the challenges of our times through purpose-driven science that advances understanding and improves life.

As a premier institution of scientific learning, we connect the life, agricultural, environmental, and social sciences to provide world-class education, spark unexpected discoveries, and inspire pioneering solutions.

The Department of Animal Science offers undergraduate and graduate programs on the biology and management of food, laboratory and companion animal species.

Our research programs advance our understanding of animal biology and address local and global issues facing animal industries today.

Our goals are to discover and develop new techniques and information to benefit animals, agriculture and human health. Our internationally recognized faculty have diverse interests in animal management, breeding, genetics, physiology, nutrition, growth biology, microbiology, farm systems management and agricultural engineering.

For over 30 years PRO-DAIRY has facilitated New York state economic development by increasing the competitiveness and sustainability of New York's dairy farm businesses through industry-applied research and educational programs that enhance farm profitability, while advancing dairy producers and agribusiness professionals' knowledge, skills and enthusiasm.

Our specializations include Dairy Environmental Systems, Dairy Advancement, Nutrient Management, Forage Systems, Herd Health, Farm Business, and Youth Programming.

Our specialists also work closely with other engineers and researchers at Cornell, the staff at our research dairy (Cornell University Ruminant Center), and with New York State dairy farmers, industry representatives, and their advisors.

Rewards And Benefits

Competitive compensation, generous time-off, and great benefits

Position Summary

• While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a psychologically 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 will provide direct operational leadership and support for a research programs measuring emissions of ammonia and greenhouse gases from dairy farms in the Northeast, involving the use of on-farm research equipment, coordination with collaborating farms and their staff, organization and analysis of data, and development of relevant reports, papers, and educational materials in support of the Dairy Environmental Systems program.

This position will also support related work of the PRO-DAIRY Dairy Environmental Systems program evaluating farm systems moving dairy farms toward sustainability and translating science on this topic into outreach.

The position requires the incumbent to informally supervise a research technician and graduate students who will be supporting projects, and to work directly with dairy producers throughout the state, their professional advisors, other members of the PRO-DAIRY statewide and Cornell Cooperative Extension area teams, and faculty related to farm management and dairy production.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in agriculture, engineering, environmental science or related field and 3+ years of experience in field, research, extension, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Must have knowledge and / or education in agricultural / environmental science research methodology.
• Demonstrated proficiency in the use of a range of field and laboratory equipment, methodology, and statistical analysis.

Knowledge of standard laboratory and fieldwork safety protocols and guidelines.

• Must be willing to maintain and keep research equipment, materials, and laboratory organized.
• Must possess excellent organizational skills. Proficient in the use of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Experience in data collection, database management, and online data-sharing tools (e.g. BOX, Google Docs)
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential material in a professional manner.
• Ability to adapt to challenges and anticipate potential issues with applied, on-farm field work. Ability to prioritize multiple project tasks.
• Must be willing to work for long durations under harsh and hazardous conditions.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as essential job functions require.
• Must be able to meet the in-state travel requirements of the position and have and maintain a valid and unrestricted New York State driver’s license.
• Must be personable, flexible with a proven demonstrated ability to express thoughts clearly, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to work successfully independently as well as in a team environment.
• Must be willing to communicate with team members using a personal cell phone.
• Must be able to interact effectively in person with large and diverse groups, including organizing presentations, leading demonstrations, and delivering engaging and interesting presentations to large audiences.
• Exercise sound and ethical judgment when acting on behalf of the University.
• Experience in and / or demonstrated commitment to supporting diversity, equity, access, inclusion , and wellbeing.
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive and equitable working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.
• Must complete University Supervisory Training within 6 months.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in agriculture science, agricultural engineering, mechanics, or related field.
• Knowledge of agriculture and the dairy industry.
• Experience with instrumentation, data logging, control systems.
• Experience with gas analysis.
• Experience with emissions modeling.
• Experience delivery extension programming, other teaching experience, and public speaking.
• Experience writing and reviewing reports, manuscripts, and grant proposals.

Application Procedure :

Interested parties should submit a resume and cover letter describing qualifications online at . When applying through our system, please remember to attach your resume and cover letter in either Microsoft Word or PDF format.

In the experience section of your application, use the "Drop Files Here" box to manually drag document(s) into your application.

For a more detailed description and instructions on how to apply online, please click here.

Relocation assistance is not available for this position.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Pay Range : $58,.00 - $62,.00

$58,.00 - $62,.00

Pay Ranges :

The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria :

• Prior relevant work or industry experience.
• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position.
• Academic Discipline (faculty pay ranges reflects 9-month annual salary)
• Unique applicable skills.

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