Extension Associate - Lab of Ornithology

Extension Associate - Lab of Ornithology

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:
We believe that achieving next-generation scientific breakthroughs requires an understanding of the world’s 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.

Position Function

The Extension Associate serves as the manager for Youth and Community Engagement for the Cornell Lab of Ornithology both nationally and in international settings, with key responsibilities in strategic planning, partnership development, implementation, and evaluation of impact. The Extension Associate position requires pedagogical expertise as well as a passion for conceiving, producing, and implementing innovative ways of engaging youth and communities in conservation action, participatory science, and nature connection.

• Prioritizes youth audiences by developing innovative professional development opportunities for educators as well as educational experiences and materials for youth audiences
• Co-develops conservation strategies with grassroots communities that combine environmental education with conservation action
• Identifies and develops equitable and durable partnerships and networks aimed at scaling efforts to strengthen ecological literacy and restore biodiversity
• Manages a team, oversees a six-figure yearly budget, develops proposals and donor pitches to fund the work, and maintains an evaluation program that helps evolve the work in alignment with the Lab’s strategic plan
• Collaborates across the Lab to continually make programming and resources more accessible to educators, youth, and grassroots communities, with an emphasis on supporting those underserved by the Lab and underrepresented in science and conservation

Anticipated Division of Time:

Professional development and outreach – Envision, design, and develop online courses, webinars, workshops, and other professional development experiences designed to meet the needs of science educators and families. Apply scientific and pedagogical expertise to creating innovative learning opportunities related to nature, citizen science, scientific inquiry, and topics in ornithology. Outline the scope and learning objectives of these experiences, develop approachable and compelling means of instruction (including online, in person, and train-the-trainer methodologies), and implement opportunities for continuing education and graduate credit.

Represent the Cornell Lab of Ornithology at state, regional and national education conferences. (30%)

Program management – Contribute to and carry out programmatic vision of project goals and implementation strategies. Manage project budget. Supervise a team of educators, community engagement specialists, and project assistants, plus student employees, educators‑in‑residence and volunteers. Hire, train, and mentor staff and provide opportunities for staff development. In coordination with CALS HR, conduct annual performance reviews and clearly communicate expectations of staff.

Develop messaging plan and supervise team to maintain program website. Track and analyze project participation, strategic planning, and goal fulfillment. (25%)

Partnership development – Maintain partnerships with staff at key organizations, including joint proposal development…