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Zymtronix Catalytic Systems Inc

Extension Associate

Zymtronix Catalytic Systems Inc, Northeast Ithaca, New York, United States

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Position Function

Duties of the Project FeederWatch Leader position: Provide outreach and research direction for Project FeederWatch (www.feederwatch.org), a research and education project involving more than 30,000 participatory scientists annually in the US and Canada. Manage all aspects of project delivery in the U.S., collaborate with our partners at Birds Canada, and direct the broad goals of the project. Interface with the Center’s tech team to maintain high-quality web and mobile platforms for engaging the public in scientific research. Pursue and implement external funding (e.g., National Science Foundation grants) to advance novel research studies and approaches for engaging the public in scientific research. Initiate and guide ecological and/or social science research using Project FeederWatch data. Mentor research students and work with Lab and external scientists to ensure analysis and publication of project results in scientific literature. Maintain the Open Access repository of Project FeederWatch data and analytical code to assist the global research community in successfully accessing and analyzing this unique data resource. Serve as the Lab’s primary voice in communicating science related to backyard birds and participatory science to national and international media. Provide leadership within the Engagement Center as we continue to support individuals in their learning and participation journeys. Supervise and inspire the team of staff and students working on FeederWatch. Anticipated Division of Time

Public outreach and science communication . Engage more than 30,000 people annually in scientific research. Effectively communicate the science generated through FeederWatch and the Center for Engagement in Science and Nature to project participants, the public, and media outlets. Write/edit the project’s annual report, Winter Bird Highlights. Promote the project and results from research stemming from the project by conducting interviews with the press and writing articles for newspapers, magazines, websites, etc. Give public lectures as needed. (30%) Project development.

Grow and diversify the FeederWatch revenue stream. Maintain revenue from the FeederWatch participant base in excess of $500,000 annually. Contribute to fundraising proposals intended to further project development. Collaborate with the Lab’s Advancement team to garner corporate sponsorships and increase fundraising to support continued program growth that is aligned with the research and educational goals of FeederWatch and the Engagement Center. Develop and implement strategies for recruiting new project participants. Initiate, cultivate, and maintain partnerships with international non-profit organizations and collaborators (e.g., Birds Canada) and other potential partner organizations to increase project participation and further project goals. Coordinate with the Center’s tech team and set priorities for tech development, in collaboration with Center leadership. (20%) Project management. Oversee day to day operations of project implementation. Contribute to and carry out institutional programmatic vision of project goals and implementation strategies. Manage project budget and assist Engagement Center leadership in the annual budget and forecasting processes. Manage and supervise Project Assistants and other support staff. Mentor staff and provide opportunities for staff development. In coordination with CALS HR, conduct annual performance reviews and clearly communicate expectations of staff. Hire, train and develop new staff when needed. Manage and supervise volunteers and undergraduates as needed. Track and analyze project participation and goal fulfillment. (30%) Scientific Research. Collaborate with other Lab-based or external scientists on research involving the FeederWatch dataset. Provide data and analytical guidance to external researchers wishing to use FeederWatch data. Document, maintain, and disseminate best practices on working with FeederWatch data, including sample analytical code. Collaborate with Center leadership on new research initiatives and secure new grant funding. Provide oversight on project research activities and budgets for grants and contracts. Collaborate with Engagement Center leadership to design research initiatives, oversee analyses, and publish project results in the peer-reviewed scientific literature. Further develop data validation processes and tools. Represent Project FeederWatch, the Engagement Center, and the Lab at national and international scientific conferences, workshops and seminars when needed. Maintain independent research program that engages Cornell undergraduate students in ornithological fieldwork. (20%) Requirements

Master’s degree in biology, ecology, natural resources, or related field. At least 5 years of experience or equivalent combination in ecological field research, along with demonstrated understanding of research methodology and field-based science education. Prior experience and interest in formal and informal outreach. Proven skills in project management and coordination are essential, along with excellent communication skills, including writing and public speaking. Demonstrable abilities to organize and oversee complex projects, manage budgets, complete tasks in a timely and effective manner, and attention to detail as well as excellent analytical and problem-solving skills. Excellent working knowledge of current analytical software. Analytical capabilities in the R coding language (or willingness to learn quickly) is required, as is use of GitHub and WordPress. Ability to organize and clearly present scientific information in written and oral form. Prior supervisory experience. Willingness and ability to travel both nationally and internationally as necessary to perform tasks. Preferred Qualifications:

Ph.D. in biology, ecology, natural resources or related field. Experience in social science research. A strong history of impact and productivity in past research and outreach efforts preferred, including engaging the public and undergraduate students in scientific research. Experience writing research grant proposals, scientific research papers, and technical documentation. Expert knowledge of common feeder/backyard birds in North America and an understanding of the bird-watching mentality. Experience presenting at scientific conferences. Supervision Exercised

Supervise Project FeederWatch staff, including project assistants (currently N = 3) as well as volunteers, interns, and undergraduate students involved in research and outreach. To apply:

Please apply via Academic Jobs Online https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/29892. Qualified candidates should submit a short cover letter, curriculum vitae, contact information for three references, and a statement supporting diverse communities outlining how, through research, teaching, service, mentoring, extension, and/or outreach, the candidate has and will contribute to support Cornell’s historical mission of “any person … any study,” via the website. Application review will begin on May 5, 2025 and continue until a suitable applicant is identified. CALS hiring range for this title is $75,000 - $82,000. College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Life. Changing. Cornell University is an innovative Ivy League and Land-grant 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. Cornell’s regional and global presence includes state-wide Cornell Cooperative Extension programs and offices in all counties and boroughs, global partnerships with institutions and communities engaged in life-changing research and education, the medical college’s campuses on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and Doha, Qatar, and the Cornell Tech campus on Roosevelt Island in the heart of New York City. Cornell is an equal opportunity employer. For more information click here. Pay Range: Pay Range: Refer to Posting Language Pay Ranges: The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria: Prior relevant work or industry experience. Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position. Academic Discipline Unique applicable skills. 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. If you require an accommodation for a disability in order to complete an employment application or to participate in the recruiting process, you are encouraged to contact Cornell University\'s Office of Institutional Equity and Title IX at voice (607) 255-2242, or email atequity@cornell.edu. Applicants that do not have internet access are encouraged to visit your local library, or local Department of Labor. You may also request an appointment to use a dedicated workstation in the Office of Talent Attraction and Recruitment, at the Ithaca campus, by emailing mycareer@cornell.edu. Notice to Applicants: Please read the required Notice to Applicants statement by clicking here. This notice contains important information about applying for a position at Cornell as well as some of your rights and responsibilities as an applicant. EEEO Statement: Cornell University\'s history of diversity and inclusion encourages all students, faculty and staff to support a diverse and inclusive university in which to work, study, teach, research and serve. No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability, arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Cornell University embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We strongly encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply. Qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act have rights in the application process and in employment under federal law. 2025-04-07 About Us

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is the world\'s leading resource for conservation, research, education, and citizen science focused on birds. The Lab is a vibrant unit within Cornell\'s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. The Lab publishes research, teaches courses, advises students and postdocs, and engages with partner organizations and citizens around the world to conduct scientific research and facilitate conservation actions. The Center for Engagement in Science and Nature at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology provides meaningful opportunities for the public to participate in collaborative scientific research to improve the scientific understanding of birds through collective observation and environmental stewardship. The Engagement Center creatively uses the power of the internet to build science-based conservation communities to tackle the complex issues of how to study and address environmental problems and their impacts on birds.

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