Public Programs Coordinator

Culture of Inclusion and Community Standards

As an individual contributor you will model and support a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and wellbeing and continually seek to understand how your role, behaviors, and actions impact the success of this culture.

Department Background

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 (CALS), where full-time faculty and many other renowned professionals direct world-class, mission-driven programs. Staff at the Lab teach undergraduate courses, advise graduate students, collect, and disseminate world-famous digital resources on biodiversity, and engage with partner organizations and citizens around the world to conduct scientific research and conservation actions. Our management and staff are committed to the highest standards of ethics and excellence in all areas of our work, and our Board leadership includes faculty from Cornell and other universities, successful entrepreneurs and managers from the business and non-profit sectors, and conservation-minded citizens from the United States and beyond.

The Cornell Lab is committed to fostering a healthy workplace that values diverse perspectives and backgrounds as well as supporting growth and advancement opportunities. The Lab is an inclusive community, and we recognize that diverse, inclusive communities create more innovative and impactful work to address global challenges and benefit humanity and nature. The Lab welcomes staff who are still learning in their careers and who are motivated to take on new challenges in all aspects of professional development and mentorship.

The Center for Engagement in Science and Nature (CESN) within the Cornell Lab of Ornithology activates and supports people worldwide to connect with birds and nature, participate in science, and promote the wellbeing of humans and natural systems. Recognizing that one of our significant strengths is the collective power of the people we engage, the Lab formed a new multidisciplinary unit aimed at being a world leader in inspiring people to contribute to science and become advocates for life on earth. Our model for change is to bring curiosity to scale through education and citizen science so that together we can gain insight into how natural systems work and address global conservation challenges.

Rewards and Benefits

Position Summary

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.

The Lab of Ornithology seeks an engaging educator and enthusiastic leader to serve as the Public Programs Coordinator within the Visitor Center team. The Public Programs Coordinator will oversee and participate in the development, implementation, and evaluation of educational offerings and interpretation materials including but not limited to family activities, trail information, workshops, field trips, tours, and educator resources for a wide variety of audiences. Through regular evaluation, determine the effectiveness of programming and work to create the most useful and engaging experiences possible. Through strategic and creative planning, the Public Programs Coordinator will play an important role in furthering the mission of the Lab through the Visitor Center. Supervise Visitor Center employees, students, and volunteers, including hiring, training, evaluating performance and preparing the weekly and monthly schedules and oversee day-to-day operations of staffing and programming needs. Work in partnership with the Visitor Experience Manager to ensure these forward thinking program offerings complement and supplement the exhibition program, involve diverse audiences of all ages, serve the institution's mission and are guided by its strategic plan. The Public Programs Coordinator will serve as backup to the Visitor Experience Manager.

This is a full-time, year-round position. Evening and weekend hours required.

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communication, biology, informal education or museum studies with extensive experience working with the public in a museum, nature center, or similar setting.
• Special and passionate interest in connecting with the public.
• Broad knowledge of current practice and theory of informal education with prior experience developing, implementing, and evaluating educational programs.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills including the ability to present information in a variety of formats, to understand and present information to a variety of audiences, and to communicate the Lab's mission with passion.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with a proven ability to work well with colleagues, other employees, volunteers and donors.
• Record of strong management and analytic skills, both strategic and operational with the ability to efficiently multi-task while working on a variety of projects and programs.
• Must exemplify a positive attitude with the ability to adjust to last minute changes.
• Self-starter who takes the lead on initiating and developing new programmatic efforts and refining existing ones as needed.
• Experience in supervising, training, and mentoring staff and volunteers with the ability to foster a positive work environment.
• Proficient in Word, Excel, and Google products.
• Proven skills in project management and coordination are essential.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends when necessary.
• Experience in and/or demonstrated commitment to supporting diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and wellbeing.
• Experience incorporating the perspectives of multiple communities, including communities of color.
• Passionate about working in an organization that values and promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, anti-racism, and wellbeing.
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive and equitable working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.
• Must complete Cornell University Supervisory Development Training within one year of hire into the position.
• Compliant with all Cornell University and job-related training requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree preferred. Interest or experience in conservation or environmental education with an interest in birds a plus. Prior experience with identifying and securing external funding opportunities.

University Job Title:

Job Family:

Level:

Pay Rate Type:

Pay Range:

Remote Option Availability:

Company:

Contact Name:

Job Titles and Pay Ranges:

Non-Union Positions

Noted pay ranges reflect the potential pay opportunity for each job profile. 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

• Unique applicable skills

• Academic Discipline

Union Positions

Current Employees:

Online Submission Guidelines:

Employment Assistance:

Notice to Applicants:

EEO Statement:

Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University's heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, and we do not tolerate discrimination based on any protected characteristic, including race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex/gender, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), 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. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.

Cornell University embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff to all identities and backgrounds. We encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.