Extension Support Specialist III-Saratoga County

Culture of Inclusion and Community Standards:

As a university founded to be a place where "...any person can find instruction in any study," diversity and inclusion are at the core of our values and mission. We strive to be a welcoming, caring, healthy, and equitable community where students, faculty, and staff with different backgrounds, perspectives, abilities, and experiences can learn, innovate, and work in an environment of respect, and feel empowered to engage in any community conversation. As a member of the Cornell University community, it is important to recognize our shared responsibility to each other to cultivate a culture of inclusion for all. Cornell Core values

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.

While position responsibilities vary greatly, the Skills for Success and Leadership Skills for Successare foundational to what is expected ofevery employee and leader working at Cornell. These skills are essential for individual and organizational success. Skills for Success.

Department Background:

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.

The Cornell Food Venture Center (CFVC), is an established extension program of the Department of Food Science and its main purpose is to provide comprehensive assistance to beginning and established food entrepreneurs, thus promoting sustainable economic development of rural communities. The Center offers services, outreach and product development opportunities in critical areas including regulatory compliance, product safety and stability, product/ process development, process/product technology transfer and product commercialization. Currently, the CFVC responds to over 7,000 inquiries for assistance every year and assists over 800 food processors and entrepreneurs that require safety evaluations of over 2,000 specialty products for commercial production. In addition, the center provides educational opportunities through direct mentoring, demonstrations, courses, web content and diverse teaching materials.

Rewards And Benefits:

Cornell University offers a comprehensive and flexible rewards program designed to meet the diverse needs of its employees, making it an award-winning employer of choice. Highlights include generous time-off policies, affordable high-quality healthcare plans covering medical, dental, vision, and mental health, and robust retirement contributions. Employees benefit from unparalleled educational opportunities, including up to $74,000 per year in tuition assistance, free access to professional development resources, and discounted eCornell courses. Cornell also supports well-being with flexible work arrangements, free wellness programs, and campus fitness facilities. Additional perks include childcare support, tuition scholarships for employees' children, and discounts on services like pet care and transportation. With a vibrant community, inclusive support networks, and over 150 years of institutional stability, Cornell fosters personal and professional growth while ensuring a healthy work-life balance. More on Cornell 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 position is located within the department of Food Science.

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.

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.
Relocation assistance will not be provided for this position

The Extension Support Specialist will work under the supervision of the Associate Director of the CFVC to provide direct assistance to farmers, entrepreneurs and food manufacturers in NY State that want to introduce new food products into the marketplace, with a focus on Washington and Saratoga Counties, and provide services as necessary to other areas. The incumbent will work closely with the Center of Excellence for Food and Agriculture (CoE) to build sustainable economic growth and bring new innovations to the market.

To succeed in this role, the Extension Support Specialist will:

• Work with CFVC and CoE personnel to coordinate, develop, and deliver extension activities, education, and outreach programs for food processors and entrepreneurs in NYS, seeking to gain regulatory compliance of new food products.
• Provide formal product and process review and expert guidance based on analysis results, formulation and processing parameters, current regulations, product classification, food microbiology, shelf stability and commercial sterility.
• Review submissions and document Scheduled Processes and validation letters using appropriate software systems (Microsoft Office, Excel, FileMaker Pro).
• Perform laboratory analysis for food prototypes including pH, water activity, vacuum, brix, and headspace.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships and cross-sectoral partnerships with stakeholders to establish and advance opportunities for inter-regional and statewide collaboration in food business, food safety and sustainable agricultural development.
• Contribute to program improvement, strategies and offerings that address stakeholder, community, and industry needs, including summarizing program metrics for annual reports, continuous evaluation of program effectiveness, and expansion of program offerings to enhance food safety and promote economic development of the NYS food industry.

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.

Required Qualifications:

• Experience in and/or demonstrated commitment to supporting diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and wellbeing.
• Experience working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• 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.
• Bachelor's Degree and 5 to 7 years of relevant experience or equivalent combination.
• Solid knowledge of food safety, food formulation and food processing.
• Capable of developing and delivering training programs as well as writing extension/education grants and proposals.
• Experience that demonstrates sound judgment, creativity, management and problem-solving skills, and ability to work well within a team of professionals.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and tasks at any given time, work independently, make decisions that can significantly impact the university and projects.
• Ability to plan and anticipate potential conflicts so that they can be fairly resolved in a transparent and documented way.
• Ability to work in a team environment but be independent to accomplish required tasks and objectives.
• Personable, service oriented, flexible, and able to provide and receive constructive feedback for best performance of the program.
• Excellent organizational, communication and inter-personal skills, demonstrating ability to communicate with tact and diplomacy with a wide range of internal and external constituencies.
• Proven ability to handle sensitive/confidential material in a professional manner, proficient with Office software and ability to learn and work with new applications.
• Must have and maintain a valid and unrestricted NYS Driver's license and be cleared to drive for university business.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's Degree in Food Science or closely related field, with 5-7 years' experience in the food industry or in extension/education programs, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Knowledge of a variety of food processing systems, and of federal and state regulatory requirements for commercial food production.
• Proven ability to facilitate group discussions and lead people through to completion of tasks/assignments in an efficient, safe and timely manner.
• Prior experience in preparing and delivering training materials in person and online.
• Demonstrated capacity to write proposals for external funding.
• Experience with adult education and/or training.

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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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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.