Career Center

Senior Extension Associate- Grape IPM Specialist

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Sr. Extension Associate

New York State Integrated Pest Management

Cornell AgriTech

Cornell University

Geneva, New York

Who We Are?

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: natural and human systems; food, energy and environmental resources; and social, physical, and economic well-being. The New York State Integrated Pest Management Program (NYSIPM) at Cornell AgriTech is part of CALS and Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) at Cornell University, the Land Grant University of New York State. We advance the lives and livelihoods of NYS residents through teaching, research, and public service. The NYSIPM is comprised of 21 faculty and staff, physically located at Cornell AgriTech, Geneva, NY and elsewhere in the state. Our current expertise spans fruit, vegetable, ornamental, field crop and livestock; turf grass and school IPM; and rodent, tick, and invasive species. Presently, two staff members have communication and/or marketing responsibilities. Several NYSIPM faculty and staff utilize basic online analytic methods to measure program impact.

CALS embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We invite individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized communities (individuals who identify as Black, Indigenous, people of color (BIPOC), Latin American and other marginalized identities) to apply. Our ongoing commitment is focused on creating practices that advance racial and social equity, invest in community impact programs for the benefit of underrepresented communities, and expand upon project work related to racial equity and social justice.

What You Will Do

As an innovative and experienced educator, you will expand knowledge and access to sustainable pest management practices in grape agroecosystems. You will work collaboratively, across disciplines, and with a variety of stakeholders, to develop, demonstrate, and guide IPM implementation efforts in grapes across NYS. You will champion diversity, equity and inclusion by providing unbiased access to world-class research, industry expertise and pest management strategies to all New York farmers and growers and serve as a trusted resource, enabling stakeholders to build knowledge and develop skills to successfully implement IPM approaches to crop protection. At Cornell AgriTech, we grow things, and we invite you to grow with us.

What We Need

We are looking for a talented, dynamic and engaging leader, who is passionate about extension, outreach and research, to join our award-winning team of IPM professionals and is able to excite and work with diverse audiences, building relationships with multiple stakeholders to identify and address the key issues impacting grape systems in the state.

Direct supervision is received from the NYSIPM Director. Additional input will be given by the faculty and Extension staff with grape responsibilities. Furthermore, input will come from IPM practitioners, professionals, and organizations as well as citizens of New York State affected by grape IPM practices.

What We Offer

This is a full-time (40 hours/week). This position will be housed in the Cornell Lake Erie Research and Extension Laboratory located in Portland, NY. Flexible working location could be considered but should permit regular access to the main grape growing areas of NY with a significant presence in Erie County where the the majority of NY's grape acreage is grown. This is non-tenure track position covering with an initial three (3) year appointment.. Reappointment is contingent upon available resources and successful performance.

Cornell takes pride in offering generous benefits to support and enhance your health, wealth and wellness, including generous time off, competitive health insurance, retirement plans and a tuition assistance program. Here's a quick overview of the kind of benefits that have made us an award-winning employer of choice: https://hr.cornell.edu/jobs/benefits-snapshot

Learn more about our ongoing efforts promoting diversity, equity and inclusion at Cornell AgriTech, NYSIPM, and CALS:

https://nysipm.cornell.edu/about/nysipm-equity-and-justice-statement/

https://cals.cornell.edu/cornell-agritech/about-agritech/DEI

https://cals.cornell.edu/diversity-inclusion

Anticipated Division of Time

Program Development: 20%

• Identify Grape IPM program needs and opportunities in NY in ways to best reduce environmental, health and economic risks with IPM. Consult with NYS IPM Program educators, off-campus extension staff, Cornell faculty, program advisory committees, growers, private consultants, and ag business personnel.
• Provide leadership for the development of regional and statewide plans for IPM educational outreach programs in grapes. With recommendations and advice from the Cornell NYSIPM Program, extension staff, grape faculty, and program advisory committees, identify program needs and opportunities, and conduct educational outreach programs.
• Provide direct linkage with the NYS IPM Program, the Fruit IPM Working Group, appropriate CCE Program Work Teams and appropriate Cornell faculty and staff.
• Ensure that program direction and related activities are coordinated within the overall plans of area extension programs and extension associations.
• Develop and enhance relationships with appropriate agencies, organizations, and community leaders as a pest management resource through newsletters and other social media; applied research and demonstration projects; innovative teaching and learning opportunities; and one-to-one communications as needed for trouble shooting and problem solving.

Program Implementation: 30%

• Provide statewide leadership for efforts that develop, demonstrate, and evaluate educational programs with emphasis on IPM. The program will emphasize using methods and materials that result in a minimized use of pesticides while still maintaining crop quality and farm profitability.
• Provide regional support to the Lake Erie region including efforts that develop, demonstrate, and evaluate educational programs with emphasis on IPM. The program will emphasize using methods and materials that result in a minimized use of pesticides while still maintaining crop quality and farm profitability.
• Provide leadership in the development of IPM training manuals, fact sheets, scouting forms, charts, audio-visual aids, etc. Provide leadership in the development and maintenance of IPM content on the regional team and NYS IPM web site, and other internet resources, as appropriate.
• Provide statewide and regional updates to the NY and PA Pest Management Guidelines for Grapes.
• Work with Regional Grape Program Teams to provide educational outreach and implementation, including providing support to those joint effort programs by the wine and juice grape industry, Cornell Cooperative Extension, and the New York State Department of Agriculture and Market's Soil and Water Conservation Committee to define and promote the use of sustainable growing practices on the of vineyards in New York. The program's major goals are to promote and document grape production practices that:

• Protect the environment (specifically water quality and soil health).
• Protect the health of workers, neighbors, and consumers.
• Increase or maintain the profitability of grape production.
• Implement a grower self-assessment to document sustainable practices already in use and promote further adoption of new practices. Work with the grape industry, using VineBalance as an educational tool, a method for determining baseline practices, fostering adoption of advanced IPM practices, and a vehicle to evaluate the impact of VineBalance for enhancing the economic, environmental and social sustainability of New York State's viticulture industry.

• Provide research-based knowledge through educational activities for members of the grape extension teams and other extension staff, private consultants, industry representatives, growers and others through a variety of means including but not exclusive to direct teaching through group experiences (meetings, workshops, etc.) and mass media (webinars, podcasts, print, etc.)

• Ensure a major program emphasis on the demonstration and adoption of IPM principles and practices. Analyze and evaluate major program efforts in cooperation with extension staff and if needed make recommendations for altering and improving them.

Applied Research: 25%

• Conduct applied, integrated research designed to fill IPM knowledge gaps, in cooperation with appropriate faculty and extension field staff, and/or independently.
• Lead and cooperate on grant and funding proposals with agencies, organizations, faculty and extension personnel that will address IPM applied research needs and generate program support.
• Collect, analyze and interpret data as needed.
• Prepare reports for granting agencies, NYSIPM publications and social media, and other extension publications.
• Actively pursue outside grant funds to support the on-going applied research efforts.

Program Evaluation: 15%

• Evaluate, document and report the efficacy, environmental impact, and cost of Grape IPM projects, programs and practices, as well as the level of adoption.
• Develop and communicate IPM program evaluation options on an area basis to ensure the documentation of impacts. Work with area extension staff to evaluate the environmental, health and economic impact of their program efforts.
• Regularly communicate area program activities and impacts to IPM Program Coordinators, faculty, off-campus extension staff, program advisory committee members, growers, and private consultants.
• Share results in quarterly and annual reports with the IPM Program; and local, state and federal partners and agencies.
• Identify and report IPM knowledge gaps and information transfer problems.
• Present results of IPM implementation and research projects at appropriate local, regional, state, and national meetings.

Professional Development: 5%

• Participate in professional development opportunities, conferences and workshops appropriate to program and personal skill enhancement.
• File professional improvement plan and constructively evaluate self-performance for improvement and subject matter excellence.
• Stay informed of advances in Grape IPM.
• Participate in related regional, statewide, and national professional organizations as appropriate.

Supervision: 5%

• Provide supervision and guidance for technical support staff, as needed.
• Provide guidance to IPM extension educators on Grape IPM implementation and the development of educational materials.
• May provide direct supervision for project personnel.

Requirements::

M.Sc. degree required in entomology, plant pathology, weed science, horticulture, agronomy, or a closely related field and 8 or more years experience. Must have a strong background in integrated pest management. Be able to design, execute and analyze complex field experiments. Fundamental competence utilizing current technology to communicate to diverse audiences using a variety of format.

Preferred Qualifications:

Ph.D. degree in entomology, plant pathology, weed science, horticulture, agronomy, or a closely related field. Work experience in conducting, interpreting, evaluating, and communicating the results of applied research. Extensive professional work experience in crop production, pest management, Cooperative Extension, or in developing informal educational programs.

Bilingual in English and Spanish is desirable.

Must possess or have the ability to acquire a New York State Certified Pesticide Applicators License.

Must possess or have the ability to acquire a New York Driver's License.
Must be authorized to work in the United States.

To apply:

Please apply via Academic Jobs Online (https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/XXXXX).

Qualified candidates should submit a short cover letter, curriculum vitae, contact information for three references, and a statement of contribution to diversity, equity and inclusion via the website.

Applications will be reviewed as received, continuing until a suitable applicant is identified.

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Life. Changing.

Cornell University is an innovative Ivy League university and a great place to work. Our inclusive community of scholars, students, and staff impart an uncommon sense of larger purpose and contribute creative ideas to further the university's mission of teaching, discovery, and engagement.

Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University's heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations.

Employment Assistance:

For general questions about the position or the application process, please contact the Recruiter listed in the job posting or email mycareer@cornell.edu.

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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, Protected Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations. Cornell University is an innovative Ivy League university and a great place to work. Our inclusive community of scholars, students, and staff impart an uncommon sense of larger purpose, and contribute creative ideas to further the university's mission of teaching, discovery, and engagement.