Extension Support Specialist II - Underserved Forest Owner Specialist

Extension Support Specialist II

The Opportunity

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.

Cornell Universitys CALS with assistance and support from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Division of Lands and Forests will develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to increase awareness understanding and adoption of forest management regeneration and restoration practices by underserved forest landowners that help mitigate climate change. This position will operate with Cornells Center for Conservation and Social Science (

One key element of this project will be to reconstitute New Yorks Forest Stewardship Coordinating Committee who help guide long-term educational and technical assistance to NYs largely individual private-sector-owned forest landowners. Crucial to the revitalization will be synergizing the Cornell CALS Forest Connect and Master Forest Owner Volunteer program with state-wide partners and developing outreach strategies that target underserved forest owners objectives that emphasize privacy habitat biodiversity recreation natural history and timber management. Key to the effort will be the development and continuance of a strong collaboration with NYS DECs Regenerate NY forest owner incentives program.

The Underserved Forest Owner Specialist will serve as a subject matter resource to CALS and NYSDEC programs that serve private forest owners. Responsibilities include:

• Reconstitute New Yorks Forest Stewardship Coordinating Committee (NYSFSCC) a group of 20-30 organizations with ties to private forestlands in NYS. Communicate with organizations and coordinate Committee meetings. Update DECs Forest Action Plan with guidance from the Committee. Work collaboratively with NYS DEC to revise the plan to include support for communities of underserved forestland owners in NYS.
• Assist in planning and delivery of an outreach plan for expanded agency and institutional connections with underserved forest owners across NYS. Through focused outreach identify communities of underserved forest owners across the state. Hold regional meetings in partnership with NYS DEC and forest partner organizations to engage directly with the forestry community to understand needs and ensure greater representation and accessibility. Research and formulate outreach strategies with demonstrated success with underserved forest owners. Implement outreach strategies outlined in the plan state-wide.
• Analyze evaluate and make recommendations for a project implementation plan and detailed timeline to guide project activities and to share with project sponsor. Coordinate across research and outreach activities for efficiency. Maintain connections with stakeholders. Keep detailed records of project activities and outcomes to meet reporting requirements. Envision and plan how projects can have long-term impact on programming to forest owners.
• Support creation of extension materials and deliver content to underserved forest owners and related stakeholder consultation with the project team and NYS DEC staff develop accessible outreach materials consistent with the updated Forest Action Plan that may consist of printed and on-line materials resources and tools. Ensure language justice principles are embedded within developed extension materials through translation and inclusion of materials by the Cornell Small Farms Futuro En Ag Spanish First Resource Center.

The Underserved Forest Owner Specialist will receive programmatic direction and oversight from the CCSS the State Extension Forester and input from the DEC Forest Stewardship Team to independently implement tasks. Will maintain relationships with and work closely with multiple partner organizations and agencies. Occasional travel throughout New York and occasionally to Albany and Ithaca is required. Occasional attendance at evening and weekend meetings and workshops is also required.

For more information:

• Center for Conservation Social Science: CALS Forest Connect:
• Cornell Master Forest Owner Volunteers:
• NYSDEC Forest Stewardship Program:

This positions supervisor is located in Ithaca New York is a one-year termed appointment position 12 months from the hire date.

Annual appointments are expected and will be conditional upon satisfactory performance and available funding.

About the Department

Unique among peer institutions in the United States the breadth of disciplinary expertise in the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment from ethics and social sciences to conservation genetics and applied ecology creates a stimulating multidisciplinary atmosphere for our students staff faculty and visiting scholars. We have strong collaborative ties across Cornell University other universities governmental agencies and leading environmental and conservation organizations.

What We Need

• Bachelors degree in natural resources forestry conservation social science or a related field. Two to four or more years experience in natural resources social science forestry education or extension and technical education related activities. Demonstrated history administering surveys interviews and focus groups. Some experience with quantitative and qualitative data analysis. Outstanding interpersonal and organizational skills. Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Familiarity with Cooperative Extension private lands forestry MFO volunteers Forest Connect forestry social science and extension education.
• Experience with organizing and leading committees of diverse interests including in-person and virtual programming.
• Proficient computer skills including Microsoft Office (Excel PowerPoint and Word) and remote work platforms (e.g. Zoom).
• Ability and desire to learn and adapt to new technology.
• Critical thinking skills and ability to work on multiple tasks in a face-paced changing environment.
• Excellent English communication skills including public speaking. Ability to speak confidently and concisely particularly in group situations.
• Excellent and detail-oriented written communication and editing skills.
• Skills in problem solving critical thinking and proper judgment in accomplishing tasks whether acting independently or participating effectively on a team.
• Capability to coordinate projects with a diversity of stakeholders and partners with a range of interests and backgrounds.
• Ability to work as part of a professional team promoting cooperation and collaboration as well as exercising independent judgment to carry out discrete tasks.
• Sound and ethical judgment when acting on behalf of the University CALS CCSS and Forest Connect.
• Ability to work nights and weekends to attend specific meetings or programs.
• Must have and maintain and valid and unrestricted NYS drivers license and be cleared to drive for Cornell University business operations
• 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.

If you have all those things great! We have a few more things that we would prefer you to have but its ok if you dont.

• Masters degree in natural resources forestry social science extension education or related field.
• Knowledge of NY forest owners forest management and forest owner assistance programs (e.g. technical financial and educational assistance).
• Experience working with New Yorks forest owners stakeholders and partner organizations.
• Knowledge of climate resilient forestry practices.
• Experience with group facilitation and community engagement especially in complex multi-objective projects.
• Creativity in designing and delivering outreach materials and ability to communicate climate resilient forest practices concepts to diverse lay and professional audiences.
• Experience with community science projects including engaging volunteers and managing large volunteer data sets.
• Experience with inclusive engagement and working with disadvantaged or marginalized communities to facilitate their participation in decision-making.
• Working understanding the roles of relevant federal and state regulations guidance and funding.
• Strong leadership skills.

Rewards and Benefits

• This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement. Employees typically perform this role remotely 2 days per week and on-campus 3 days per week. The university reserves the right to modify suspend revoke or terminate the hybrid work arrangement at any time.

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
• Cornells impressive educational benefits include tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program tuition aid for external education and Cornell Childrens 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.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Relocation is not eligible for this position.

Cornell is an equal opportunity employer. For more information visit

University Job Title:

Job Family:

Level:

Pay Rate Type:

Pay Range:

Remote Option Availability:

Company:

Contact Name:

Contact Email:

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

To learn more about Cornells non-union staff job titles and pay ranges see Career Navigator.

Union Positions

The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined in accordance with the rates in the respective collective bargaining agreement. To learn more about Cornells union wages see Union Pay Rates.

Current Employees:

If you currently work at Cornell University please exit this website and log in to Workday using your Net ID and password. Select the Career icon on your Home dashboard to view jobs at Cornell.

Online Submission Guidelines:

Most positions at Cornell will require you to apply online and submit both a resume/CV and cover letter. You can upload documents either by dragging and dropping them into the dropbox or by using the upload icon on the application page. For more detailed instructions on how to apply to a job at Cornell visit How We Hire on the HR website.

Employment Assistance:

For general questions about the position or the application process please contact the Recruiter listed in the job posting or email .

If you require an accommodation for a disability in order to complete an employment application or to participate in the recruiting process you are encouraged to contact Cornell Office of Civil Rights at voice or email at .

Applicants that do not have internet access are encouraged to visit your local library or local Department of Labor. You may also request an appointment to use a dedicated workstation in the Office of Talent Attraction and Recruitment at the Ithaca campus by emailing .

Notice to Applicants:

Please read the required Notice to Applicants statement by clicking here. This notice contains important information about applying for a position at Cornell as well as some of your rights and responsibilities as an applicant.

EEO Statement:

Cornellwelcomes students faculty and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world-class education and career opportunities to further the founding principle of ... any person ... any study. No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving but not limited to such factors as race ethnic or national origin citizenship and immigration status color sex 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 individuals genetic information domestic violence victim status familial status marital status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal state or local law.

Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeksjob candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students faculty and staff of all identities and backgrounds. Wehire based on merit andencourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to with federal law Cornell engages in affirmative action in employment for qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRRA) and qualified individuals with disabilities under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.