Extension Support Specialist IV

The Opportunity

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) is a pioneer of purpose-driven science and Cornell University’s second largest college. 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: We believe that achieving next-generation scientific breakthroughs requires an understanding of the world’s complex, interlocking systems. We believe that access to nutritious food and a healthy environment is a fundamental human right. We believe that ensuring a prosperous global future depends on the ability to support local people and communities everywhere. By working in and across multiple scientific areas, CALS can address challenges and opportunities of the greatest relevance, here in New York, across the nation, and around the world.

In keeping with Cornell’s Land Grant Mission to create and apply knowledge with a public purpose, the Department of Food Science strives to apply the principles of science and engineering to ensure the nutritional value, safety and quality of foods in the United States and around the globe. Our programs integrate the disciplines of chemistry, biology, nutrition, physiology, biotechnology and engineering to ensure that all people have access to healthy, affordable food. Our faculty, staff and students are making a difference in the lives of people throughout the world.

New York State is the 4th largest milk producing state in the US with a sizeable dairy industry and proximity to major markets in the Northeastern US. Cornell University has a strong dairy foods research program with considerable traditional strength in fermented dairy foods and cheese. Cornell also works closely with a number of organizations in New York State and Northeastern US (e.g., New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, New York State Cheese Manufacturers Association and NYS Food Protection Association) to strengthen and support the dairy industry. The dairy extension program at Cornell currently includes two extension associates that support extensive extension programs in fluid milk, fermented dairy foods and cheese as well as a regional dairy extension associate located in Western New York. The dairy extension program at Cornell also has a certificate program, which offers various workshops that lead to certificates in different areas of dairy processing, including (i) fluid milk, (ii) cheese, and (iii) yoghurt and other fermented products. This program is currently being expanded to incotporate worksforce developmen in AI literacy.

About the College

This position is located in the Department of Food Science and will be part of the dairy extension program (see http://www.cals.cornell.edu/cals/foodsci/extension/dairy-foods-extension-programs.cfm). A key responsibility of this position will be to provide leadership for the certificate program, including program oversight with a focus on marketing and development of strategic partnerships, and new programs, including, but not limited to, AI and sanitation. The goal for this position is to develop a sustainable financial model that provides full support for this position through the certificate program (e.g., through workshop income, grants etc.) and, if necessary, through development and submission of grants that will support this position. The incumbent is expected to develop this position so that 50% of funding comes from external sources by end of year 2 and 100% of funding comes from external sources by the end of year 3. The ideal candidate would have appropriate expertise in food safety, marketing to food companies and AI. The incumbenat will also be expected to actively contribute to economic development activities focused in the dairy and food industry in New York.

This is a full-time position at 100% FTE. This is a one-year term appointment that is contingent upon available work, funding, and performance. There is the opportunity to work remotely within New York State 5 days a week. Additional on-site presence may be required to meet department needs.

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

Relocation assistance will not be provided for this position.

What We Need

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science or closely related discipline; with more than 5 but less than 7 year’s experience and/or equivalent combination of both education and experience.

• Candidate must have strong knowledge of food industry and food safety as well as applciatiosn of AI and digital tools in the food industry

• Excellent oral and written communication skills

• Needs to be able to travel at last 25% of the time.

• Expertise in the development, delivery, and evaluation of training programs is a must.

• Must have and maintain a valid and unrestricted NYS driver’s license and be cleared to drive for university business.

• Candidates need to be able to work in a fast paced environment and to adjust quickly to change and changing priorities.

• Strong interpersonal skills with proven ability to work with diverse audiences in group and one-on-one settings; working effectively with industry, economic development groups, advisory boards and committees, community and funding partners and other stakeholders.

• Proven organizational and time-management skills.

• Ability to interpret and communicate applied research and demonstration projects.

• Strong leadership and teamwork skills.

• Fundamental competence utilizing current technology as a management and program delivery tool.

• Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access, Internet and Web development.

• Ability to work evenings and weekends as essential job functions require.

• Proven experience identifying and obtaining new funding including grants and industry support.

• Prior budgetary experience.

• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive 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.

• Substantial practical experience in diverse sectors of the food industry.

• Appreciation of Agriculture as a business and as a lifestyle.

• Creativity, energy, motivation and positive enthusiasm.

Rewards and Benefits

• This position is based in Ithaca, New York, however, the successful applicant may perform this role remotely anywhere within the New York. Employees who work remotely may receive multiple W-2 Forms depending on their work location. The New York Convenience of employer guidelines require New York State individual tax reporting and withholding for this position. Additional individual state income tax filings may also be required if working temporarily outside of New York State.

• 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.

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

University Job Title:

Extension Supp Spec IV

Job Family:

Academic Support

Level:

H

Pay Rate Type:

Salary

Pay Range:

$99,648.00 - $120,030.00

Remote Option Availability:

Remote

Company:

Contract College

Contact Name:

J'Frances White

Contact Email:

jmw572@cornell.edu

Job Titles and Pay Ranges:

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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

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2026-08-12