About Cornell Integrated Pest Management
We help New York residents manage pests effectively with as little risk to the health of people and the environment as possible. The Cornell IPM Program is part of Cornell’s transformative College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) and Cornell Cooperative Extension, New York State’s trusted source for research-based information.
We are committed to equitable and inclusive workspaces, research, and extension that values and supports diversity. We put our commitment into practice through internal work, like staff discussions and workshops related to equity and inclusion, and through external work, like offering bilingual resources and programming. We hope that you can help us continue this work.
Position Description
Work with a team of innovative researchers and educators to help us conduct applied agricultural research in sustainable pest management. Projects include work on fruit, vegetable, and ornamental crops, as well as insect, plant disease, and weed pests. Work will be done both on research farms in Geneva, and on commercial farms in central and/or western NY (requiring some travel, but no overnight stays). This is a fully in-person position located at Cornell AgriTech in Geneva, NY. Specific tasks may include: helping maintain field trials, measuring field soil data and plant parameters, scouting for insects, entering data, taking pictures, helping with crop harvest, assessing plant quality, and assisting with logistics for educational events (either virtual or in-person). Plant maintenance tasks may include loading and driving supplies to fields in a project assigned pickup truck, mowing with a walk-behind mower, weeding, pruning, and keeping appropriate records of activities and results. You may work with plants that have been treated with pesticides. We will provide all necessary personal protective equipment and training. We expect that you will interact respectfully with colleagues and farm managers and workers when working on research and commercial farms. We are committed to supporting safe working environments, on and off Cornell property.
Timeframe
This is a temporary (as soon as available, but ideally by May 1 through September 30, 2025) position ideally requiring 39 hours of work per week. For a well-qualified candidate, there may be some flexibility in start and end dates and weekly hours.
Compensation
Starting at $20, depending on experience and qualifications
Qualifications
Required:
- Ability to learn new skills, pay attention to detail, and follow protocols. We will provide necessary training and expect that you will move towards working independently.
- Willingness to work outside during spring, summer, and early fall in central NY. While we try to avoid working in very bad weather, it may be hot or cold, you may get wet, and field work is inherently dirty.
- Willingness to work with insects and in agricultural settings around plants that may have been treated with pesticides. Successful applicant must complete all required training related to safely completing assigned tasks.
- Must have a valid U.S. driver’s license and be able to obtain approval to drive a Cornell-owned vehicle (includes authorizing a background check).
Preferred:
- Bachelor’s degree and/or equivalent experience in agriculture or applied research
- Interest in agriculture and/or pest management
- Experience with Microsoft programs (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
- Ability to occasionally lift ~35 lbs
Application
Please send (1) a cover letter describing why you are interested in and qualified for this position, (2) a resume or CV, and (3) contact information for two references to Marion Zuefle (mez4 [at] cornell.edu (mez4[at]cornell[dot]edu)). You may also contact Marion with any questions. Applications will be reviewed as received until a suitable candidate is found.
