Full-Time Natural Areas Steward (Gardner S08)
Job Description
Natural Areas Steward (Gardner S08)
Cornell Botanic Gardens
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Ithaca, New York
Who We Are:
The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at 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.
The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) is a pioneer of purpose-driven science and home to Cornell University’s second largest population of students, faculty, and staff. 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. CALS is fundamentally invested in improving the lives of people, their environments, and their communities both in New York state and around the world.
Cornell Botanic Gardens is a living plant museum comprising over 3,500 acres of university land in three major areas: the Botanical Gardens, Arboretum, and Natural Areas. An administrative unit of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS), Cornell Botanic Gardens manages and protects these areas to support teaching and research at Cornell University; to preserve habitats and rare/endangered plants; and for public use for learning and recreation. The Botanic Gardens’ mission is to inspire people—through cultivation, conservation, and education—to understand, appreciate, and nurture plants and the cultures they sustain.
What you will do:
Under the direction of the Director of Natural Areas, assist in the oversight of all aspects of the site management, restoration, and protection of on- and off-campus natural areas in support of the Botanic Gardens’ mission.
Key Responsibilities:
As a member of the stewardship crew:
- Assist in determining management needs, make recommendations, and execute stewardship activities and special projects.
- Evaluate trail conditions, report hazards, conduct trail maintenance, and respond to emergency alerts.
- Implement programs for site monitoring, invasive species control, nuisance wildlife abatements, and hazard tree removal.
- Collect natural resource information, and use GIS to monitor sites, species, or other conditions.
- Participate in Gardens programs to protect rare and scarce native plants in Natural Areas, propagate native plants of local genotypes, and restore them to protected habitats.
- Provide general support and technical expertise for preserve educational uses and participate in Botanic Gardens’ educational programs.
- Work with interns, volunteers, student workers, and other staff as a member of the natural area’s stewardship crew.
- Ensure that work is conducted in a safe manner.
- Substantial manual labor is involved requiring physical fitness, awareness of safety issues, and proper use of pesticides.
This position is full time (39 hours) for 10 months and half time (20 hours) for 2 months and will be located in Ithaca, New York.
Required Qualifications:
- Associates degree in natural resources, conservation or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- 2-3 years of relevant experience required.
- Must have and maintain a valid NYS Certified Pesticide Applicator’s license or obtain within two years of appointment.
- Within 6 months must obtain and maintain Wildlife Operator’s Control and furbearer trapping licenses.
- Must have knowledge of and skills with GIS/GPS equipment, and good computer skills.
- Must have and maintain NYS driver’s license and be cleared to drive for university business.
- Must be able to work in a team environment as well as independently to accomplish required tasks and achieve departmental objectives.
- Must be personable and flexible, possess excellent organizational and communication skills, and take pride in work.
- Must be able to develop effective working relationships with a variety of people.
- Must be aware of Natural Areas concerns, conservation methods and protocols, and be sensitive to Natural Areas preservation and wildlife control issues.
- Must know plant nomenclature and be able to identify a wide range of native and naturalized herbaceous and woody plants.
- Must know natural ecological communities and native plants associated with community types.
- Must know invasive plant species issues and be able to implement treatments for control.
- Must be willing to work with pesticides and chemicals.
- Must have experience with trail maintenance techniques.
- Ability to identify, report, and address trail and infrastructure safety issues.
- Must have experience in the safe operation and use of equipment such as front deck mower, flail and hand mower, tractor, brush hog, string trimmer, tree chipper, and chainsaw.
- Must be physically capable of performing the functions associated with this position, and willing to work under varying climatic conditions (heat, cold, precipitation, etc.).
- Must receive University training and follow fall protection guidelines.
- Requires physical fitness and the ability lift heavy objects (up to 75lbs).
- May be required to report to work outside of the regularly scheduled shift to address Botanic Gardens’ time-sensitive operational needs, snow-removal needs, or to assist with departmental emergencies, or to deal with issues of public safety.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s s degree (or equivalent) in natural resources, conservation or related field strongly preferred.
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Life. Changing.
- Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.
- Relocation assistance will not be provided for this position.
How to Apply
How to Apply: (non-academic and union positions)- You must submit both a resume/CV and cover letter via this link
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- Cornell University is an innovative Ivy League 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.
- Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University’s heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations.