Extension Support Specialist II - Underserved Forest Owner Specialist

Extension Support Specialist II

While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a psychologically 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.

Cornell University's CALS, with assistance and support from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Division of Lands and Forests, will develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to increase awareness, understanding, and adoption of forest management, regeneration, and restoration practices by underserved forest landowners that help mitigate climate change. This position will operate with Cornell's Center for Conservation and Social Science.

One key element of this project will be to reconstitute New York's Forest Stewardship Coordinating Committee who help guide long-term educational and technical assistance to NY's largely individual, private-sector-owned forest landowners. Crucial to the revitalization will be synergizing the Cornell CALS Forest Connect and Master Forest Owner Volunteer program with state-wide partners and developing outreach strategies that target underserved forest owners' objectives that emphasize privacy, habitat, biodiversity, recreation, natural history, and timber management. Key to the effort will be the development and continuance of a strong collaboration with NYS DEC's Regenerate NY forest owner incentives program.

The Underserved Forest Owner Specialist will serve as a subject matter resource to CALS and NYSDEC programs that serve private forest owners. Responsibilities include:

1. Reconstitute New York's Forest Stewardship Coordinating Committee (NYSFSCC), a group of 20-30 organizations with ties to private forestlands in NYS. Communicate with organizations and coordinate Committee meetings. Update DEC's Forest Action Plan with guidance from the Committee. Work collaboratively with NYS DEC to revise the plan to include support for communities of underserved forestland owners in NYS.
2. Assist in planning and delivery of an outreach plan for expanded agency and institutional connections with underserved forest owners across NYS. Through focused outreach, identify communities of underserved forest owners across the state. Hold regional meetings in partnership with NYS DEC and forest partner organizations to engage directly with the forestry community to understand needs and ensure greater representation and accessibility. Research and formulate outreach strategies with demonstrated success with underserved forest owners. Implement outreach strategies outlined in the plan state-wide.
3. Analyze, evaluate and make recommendations for a project implementation plan and detailed timeline to guide project activities and to share with project sponsor. Coordinate across research and outreach activities for efficiency. Maintain connections with stakeholders. Keep detailed records of project activities and outcomes to meet reporting requirements. Envision and plan how projects can have long-term impact on programming to forest owners.
4. Support creation of extension materials and deliver content to underserved forest owners and related stakeholder groups. In consultation with the project team and NYS DEC staff, develop accessible outreach materials consistent with the updated Forest Action Plan that may consist of printed and on-line materials, resources, and tools. Ensure language justice principles are embedded within developed extension materials through translation and inclusion of materials by the Cornell Small Farms Futuro En Ag Spanish First Resource Center.

The Underserved Forest Owner Specialist will receive programmatic direction and oversight from the CCSS, the State Extension Forester, and input from the DEC Forest Stewardship Team to independently implement tasks. Will maintain relationships with and work closely with multiple partner organizations and agencies. Occasional travel throughout New York and occasionally to Albany and Ithaca is required. Occasional attendance at evening and weekend meetings and workshops is also required.

About the Department

Unique among peer institutions in the United States, the breadth of disciplinary expertise in the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment – from ethics and social sciences to conservation genetics and applied ecology – creates a stimulating multidisciplinary atmosphere for our students, staff, faculty and visiting scholars. We have strong collaborative ties across Cornell University, other universities, governmental agencies, and leading environmental and conservation organizations.

What We Need

• Bachelor's degree in natural resources, forestry, conservation social science, or a related field. Two to four or more years' experience in natural resources social science, forestry education, or extension and technical education related activities. Demonstrated history administering surveys, interviews, and focus groups. Some experience with quantitative and qualitative data analysis. Outstanding interpersonal and organizational skills. Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Familiarity with Cooperative Extension, private lands forestry, MFO volunteers, Forest Connect, forestry social science, and extension education.
• Experience with organizing and leading committees of diverse interests, including in-person and virtual programming.
• Proficient computer skills, including Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, and Word), and remote work platforms (e.g., Zoom).
• Ability and desire to learn and adapt to new technology.
• Critical thinking skills and ability to work on multiple tasks in a face-paced, changing environment.
• Excellent English communication skills including public speaking. Ability to speak confidently and concisely particularly in group situations.
• Excellent and detail-oriented written communication and editing skills.
• Skills in problem solving, critical thinking, and proper judgment in accomplishing tasks whether acting independently or participating effectively on a team.
• Capability to coordinate projects with a diversity of stakeholders and partners with a range of interests and backgrounds.
• Ability to work as part of a professional team, promoting cooperation and collaboration, as well as exercising independent judgment to carry out discrete tasks.
• Sound and ethical judgment when acting on behalf of the University, CALS, CCSS and Forest Connect.
• Ability to work nights and weekends to attend specific meetings or programs.
• Must have and maintain and valid and unrestricted NYS driver's license and be cleared to drive for Cornell University business operations
• Experience in and/or demonstrated commitment to supporting diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and wellbeing.
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive and equitable working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.

If you have all those things, great! We have a few more things that we would prefer you to have, but it's ok if you don't.

• Master's degree in natural resources, forestry, social science, extension education, or related field.
• Knowledge of NY forest owners, forest management, and forest owner assistance programs (e.g., technical, financial, and educational assistance).
• Experience working with New York's forest owners, stakeholders, and partner organizations.
• Knowledge of climate resilient forestry practices.
• Experience with group facilitation and community engagement, especially in complex multi-objective projects.
• Creativity in designing and delivering outreach materials, and ability to communicate climate resilient forest practices concepts to diverse lay and professional audiences.
• Experience with community science projects including engaging volunteers and managing large volunteer data sets.
• Experience with inclusive engagement and working with disadvantaged or marginalized communities to facilitate their participation in decision-making.
• Working understanding the roles of relevant federal and state regulations, guidance, and funding.
• Strong leadership skills.

Rewards and Benefits

• This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement. Employees typically perform this role remotely 2 days per week and on-campus 3 days per week. The university reserves the right to modify, suspend, revoke or terminate the hybrid work arrangement at any time.

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.
• Cornell's impressive educational benefits include tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program, tuition aid for external education, and Cornell Children's 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. Relocation is not eligible for this position.

Cornell is an equal opportunity employer. For more information, visit hr.cornell.edu/eeo.