Sr Extension Associate - Lab Of Ornithology

Sr Extension Associate - Lab Of Ornithology

Located in the Sapsucker Woods Sanctuary in Ithaca, New York, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology ( the Lab ) is dedicated to advancing the understanding and protection of the natural world. The Lab brings together scientists, technologists, educators, and conservation practitioners to make new discoveries, share knowledge, and inspire conservation action globally.

This position will be based in the K. Lisa Yang Center for Conservation Bioacoustics ( Yang Center ), one of the Lab’s six programmatic centers. The Yang Center collects and interprets sounds in nature by developing and applying innovative technologies across ecologically relevant scales to inform and advance the conservation of wildlife and habitats worldwide. The Center’s interdisciplinary team works across terrestrial, freshwater, and marine systems in collaboration with partners around the globe.

We are seeking an innovative leader and educator to direct the Yang Center’s Capacity Sharing Team and lead our Cornell undergraduate courses in Conservation Bioacoustics. Capacity Sharing is one of three foundational pillars of the Yang Center, alongside cutting‑edge bioacoustics research and the development of conservation technologies. The initiatives in capacity sharing aim to strengthen global expertise in conservation bioacoustics through multiple pathways: international mentoring initiatives in the Global South, developing a virtual curriculum, workshops, Cornell undergraduate courses, and our prestigious endowed "Katharine

B. Payne Fellows Program in Conservation Bioacoustics” for emerging leaders working in key biodiversity areas.

As a Team Leader, you will be at the forefront of harnessing conservation bioacoustics approaches to sustainably safeguard biodiversity by developing and sharing critical capacities among individuals, organizations, and communities worldwide. The ideal candidate will be an experienced educator and mentor who champions both pedagogical excellence and transformational leadership. You will foster a dynamic, solution‑oriented culture in which team members from diverse backgrounds thrive through collaborative support, professional development, and a shared commitment to the highest standards of scientific and educational practice.

• Provide leadership and supervision to teams of academic and support staff, while fostering collaborative relationships among the Yang Center's research faculty, technical staff, and student researchers. Develop and implement a unified strategy to expand access and scope of training and mentoring programs for diverse audiences, including practitioners and partner organizations, and to focus on region‑specific groups at various skill levels. The main capacity‑sharing initiatives include:
• International training and mentorship program:
  Develop a cross‑regional, integrated initiative for global capacity building in conservation bioacoustics, building on established and ongoing regional efforts in the Global South. Incorporate strategies that support regional and cross‑regional objectives, ensuring careful consideration of both sociocultural and conservation contexts.
• International Fellowship Program:
  Manage the prestigious Katharine
  
  B. Payne Fellows Program (). You will (i) coordinate and oversee the development of the fellowship scope, recruitment and selection processes, and support plans for each fellow, (ii) serve as a key mentor to the Payne Fellows by providing dedicated guidance and support to enhance their Cornell residency experience and long‑term conservation impact, and (iii) develop long‑term impact assessment strategies and…