CALS- Technician III- Insect Rearing Technician- Ashley School

Technician III- Insect Rearing Technician

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 Successare foundational to what is expected ofevery 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 Universitys 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 worlds 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.

In the Ashley School of Global Development and the Environment section of Natural Resources and the Environment we address social and ecological dimensions of natural resources and the environment to improve environmental sustainability promote the well-being of communities and ensure access to sustainable energy and environmental resources.

This position will provide technical support to the New York State Hemlock Initiative (NYSHI). We integrate research management and outreach to conserve New York States hemlock resources in the face of multiple threats particularly the hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA Adelges tsugae) an invasive insect. Additionally we help coordinate state-wide efforts of land owners state and federal agencies government officials and concerned citizens to partner in hemlock tree conservation throughout New York.

The position in the Ashley School of Global Development and the Environment in the section Natural Resources and the Environment will be focused on quarantine rearing of insects for hemlock woolly adelgid biological control research and field releases. These predators one species of beetle and two species of flies are approved for use as HWA biological control agents in the United States. Procedures are designed to contain all other western species and are approved and overseen by the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service division of Plant Protection and Quarantine (APHIS-PPQ).

The Technician III will manage NYSHIs laboratory and greenhouse spaces at the quarantine facility; follow established protocols to collect and maintain biocontrol insects train Cornell staff on quarantine regulations safety and procedures; organize records for Federal inspections of quarantine; assist in developing reports and training materials; participate in outreach; and supervise assistants. The specific duties have seasonal variation as described below.

January-July:

• Take full responsibility for the insect rearing operation in the quarantine greenhouse including: setup/takedown of the physical space and rearing cages maintenance of cage integrity and cleanliness intake and organization of western hemlock foliage into cages collection of insects recordkeeping insect husbandry (flies and beetles) sorting and preparing insects for releases maintaining overall greenhouse cleanliness and sanitizing insect holding containers communication with facilities coordinators and manager regarding space use and environmental settings reporting supply and equipment needs to appropriate personnel.
• Manage records for laboratory project within the SARL quarantine facility to the standards required for the project and for inspections by federal and state regulators. Conduct and/or supervise data entry and error checking of data. Assist in developing quarterly reports based on data collected.
• Train others and delegate tasks to assistants. Ensure NYSHI staff adhere to quarantine standard operating procedures and safety protocols.

August-December:

• Frequently check maintain and collect adult beetles from soil media in growth chambers. Place adult beetles on food to await release. Recordkeeping and reporting as above.
• As time allows participate in outreach potentially including website maintenance assistance with social media and writing for the NYSHI newsletter or similar. Participate in outreach events such as Cornells InsectaPalooza.
• Assist with a variety of research projects such as: foliage dissections fly rearing experiments genetic analysis including DNA isolation and PCR environmental DNA sample filtration and processing and/or other projects as assigned.
• Support field projects if needed such as HWA or eDNA field sampling and insect releases. Travel within New York State as needed.
• Participate in professional development in appropriate areas to enhance professional knowledge & skills.

Year-round:

• Act as SARL Quarantine Manager reporting to the Quarantine Officer. Take responsibility for maintaining records and files relating to all work being done in the quarantine by all lab groups. Liasing among lab groups and between labs CAES Chamber/SARL Supervisor and Quarantine Officer. Alerting facilities to all repair and maintenance issues and assisting with communications to users. Training all new users on general procedures for quarantine use and safety. Assisting with tours and inspections of the facility as needed. Regularly checking the facility and equipment for any irregularities and working to correct them. Expected time toward Quarantine Management shall be about 10% of weekly hours.

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.

Relocation assistance will not be provided for this position.

What We Need

• Associates degree and at least 1 year of experience
• Experience rearing insects in a laboratory familiarity with insect identification
• Ability to follow regulations standard operating procedures and safety rules
• Must be personable flexible; possess excellent organizational and communication skills (both written and oral); exercise sound and ethical judgment when acting on behalf of the University
• Ability to work independently and make decisions that lead to desired outcomes for lab projects
• Proficiency in word processing (MS Word) and spreadsheets and data summaries (MS Excel)
• Contribute to an inclusive and respectful work environment
• Flexibility to adjust hours and participate in scheduled weekend coverage during busy or critical project periods
• Ability to lift up to 40 lbs climb onto stepladders and bend or crouch down while wearing full Tyvek PPE suits and gloves in a warm environment
• Must have and maintain a valid and unrestricted NYS drivers license and be cleared to drive for university business.
• Experience modeling values that support inclusion belonging and wellbeing.

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.

• Bachelors degree in a natural science field
• Experience in entomology and/or plant research
• Experience with lab and field equipment including autoclaves aspirators cameras data loggers microscopes balances soil moisture meter and Percival growth chambers
• Experience supervising other technicians or undergraduates in a research setting.

Rewards and 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

• 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.

Cornell is an equal opportunity employer. For more information visit

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