Temporary Forest Health Technician; Section of Natural Resources); Saratoga Springs

Position: Temporary Forest Health Technician (Section of Natural Resources); Saratoga Springs, New York
Temporary Forest Health Technician

Temporary Laboratory/Research Technician

Section of Natural Resources

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS)

Saratoga Springs, New York

About the College

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 Section of Natural Resources and the Environment within the Ashley School of Global Development and the Environment is a world leader in scholarship addressing 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.

The New York State Hemlock Initiative (NYSHI) integrates research, management, and outreach to conserve New York State's hemlock resources in the face of multiple threats, particularly the hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA), an invasive insect that is widespread throughout eastern North America and the upper Midwest. A newer focus of the initiative is HWA research and management in the Adirondack Park region through surveys, chemical treatment, and biological control.

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What We Need

As the Temporary Forest Health Technician, you will provide field support to NYSHI's "Hemlock Conservation Team" in the Adirondacks region of New York State to survey for HWA and treat hemlock trees with systemic insecticides to control hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA), with pesticide application. You will work closely with the existing staff members who make up the Hemlock Conservation Team and adhere to all safety protocols.

Duties include:

* Conducting surveys in the field for hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA), using GIS applications for field data collection

* Marking hemlock trees in the field for ease of chemical treatment

* Assisting with experimental data collection

* Performing data entry

We are looking for a talented individual with an excellent work ethic who enjoys working in a research environment. Specifically, we need someone who has the following:

* High school diploma and interest in scientific study.

* Physical ability to conduct field work in a variety of weather conditions and in terrain that can be rugged with limited road and trail access.

* Experience conducting field research and basic data collection and entry.

* Attention to detail and ability to follow protocols and rules exactly.

* Ability to work independently and make decisions that will result in desired outcomes for New York State Hemlock Initiative projects

* Possess excellent organizational skills

* Excellent communication skills (both written and oral).

* Motivated and enthusiastic about working in a group environment.

* Ability to be flexible and change work assignments when needed.

* Ability to create an inclusive, high-quality and respectful work environment both in a team setting and independently to achieve departmental and university goals.

* Must be able to meet the travel requirements of the position and have reliable transportation as well as have and maintain a valid and unrestricted New York State driver's license and be cleared to drive for university business.

* Experience working directly with people from various socioeconomic backgrounds.

If you possess these experiences and skills, this may be the role for you! There are a few other qualifications that we would view as incredibly helpful in this role, including:

* Experience with pesticide application.

* Experience or strong interest in working with insects.

* Experience identifying trees and/or insects.

* Experience using GPS, spatial data management, and creating maps in ArcGIS.

This is a six-month, temporary, full-time position at 39 hours/week that is contingent upon available work, funding, and performance. This on-site position is located in Saratoga Springs, New York.

Rewards and Benefits

Compensation range is $22.00/hour.

Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, well-being, 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-year Winter Break from December 25 - January 1. To offer greater flexibility…