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.  Cornell Core values 

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.    

Department Background:

About SIPS: The CALS School of Integrative of Plant Science (SIPS) encompasses five fields: Horticulture, Plant Biology, Plant Breeding & Genetics, Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology, and Soil and Crop Sciences. Combined there are 100+ faculty, ~200 undergraduate majors, 200+ graduate students in six fields, and 600+ other employees located in Ithaca, Geneva, and other satellite locations across New York State. The School offers the multidisciplinary undergraduate major in the Plant Sciences and is also home to the Agricultural Sciences major. School faculty also contribute to the Biology, Global Development, and Viticulture & Enology majors.

The Cornell Small Farm Program (SFP) engages in research and extension projects and collaborations that support and enhance the viability of small farms in New York. This position will support the Farm Ops Project, a SFP effort focused on supporting military veterans pursuing agricultural careers through beginning farmer training, support networks, and informational resources. 

Reward and Benefits:

Cornell receives national recognition, as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, sustainability, and diversity initiatives. Our benefits program includes comprehensive health care options, access to wellness programs, employee discounts with local and national retail brands, and generous retirement contributions. Our leave provisions include three weeks of vacation and 12 holidays: e.g., an end-of-year winter break, from December 25th through January 1st. 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.  More on Cornell Benefits

Position Summary:

This Veteran Program Assistant will support the Project Manager in all aspects of related to the aims of the Cornell Small Farms Program and Farm Ops, the veterans in agriculture project, towards facilitating military veterans entering into farming as a career. Essential duties include:

Assist in extending our resources to support those on active duty, who want to farm after their service commitment.

Support development of resources and veteran training available to meet the needs of veterans who have an interest in pursuing careers in agriculture.

Develop connections to establish collaborations with agricultural and non-agricultural veteran groups to create pathways that link veterans to broad agricultural support.

Support the implement new farm training and educational resources that address specific needs of veterans and complement existing, established resources.

Demonstrate support and understanding of the veteran audience through furthering development of existing communications platforms and messaging.

Facilitate communications to attract veterans to project activities.

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 is one-year term appointment with the possibility of extension dependent on funding and performance.  The position is part- time 30 hrs. per week.

VISA SPONSORSHIP IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THIS POSITION.

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE WILL NOT BE PROVIDED FOR THIS POSITION.

Required Qualifications:

Associate’s degree in agriculture, communication, education, business administration, or related field or 3 years of work experience.

2 years of farming or experience providing services to beginning farmers and demonstrated understanding of farming.

Must be able to work with diverse audiences and partners.

Must have the ability to multi-task and prioritize.

Must be detail oriented.

Excellent communication skills, including writing and public speaking.

Good working knowledge and experience with current software, such as MS Office, Qualtrics, PowerPoint, social media platforms and internet and web development.

Excellent customer service skills and demonstrated ability to communicate with a broad range of people is essential. 

Must be personable, flexible, and possess excellent organizational skills.

Ability to work well and establish effective working relationships with a wide variety of collaborators and educators to ensure a high-quality and respectful work and training environment. 

Must be comfortable working in an environment where change in process is the norm. 

Must have and maintain a valid NYS Driver’s License and be willing to travel with occasional overnight trips being required.

Experience in and/or demonstrated commitment to supporting diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and wellbeing.

Experience working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Enthusiasm for supporting entry into farming as a career is a plus.

Preferred Qualifications:

Project management experience preferred.

Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, education, communications, natural resources, or related field preferred. 

Minimum of 4 years of direct farm experience and/or experience providing services to beginning farmers strongly preferred.

Veteran or several years’ experience working directly with veterans.

Experience incorporating the perspectives of military servicemembers, particularly veteran experiences of transitioning back into a civilian community. 

   

University Job Title:

Program/Extension Aide III

Job Family:

Academic Support

Level:

C

Pay Rate Type:

Hourly

Pay Range:

$22.60 - $23.97

Remote Option Availability:

Hybrid

Company:

Contract College

Contact Name:

Denise Smith

Job Titles and Pay Ranges:

Non-Union Positions

Noted pay ranges reflect the potential pay opportunity for each job profile. 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

Unique applicable skills

Academic Discipline

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EEO Statement:

Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University’s heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, and we do not tolerate discrimination based on any protected characteristic, including race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex/gender, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law. 

Cornell University embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff to all identities and backgrounds. We encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.

2025-01-30