Program Development and Engagement Specialist

Cornell University is an innovative Ivy League university where an 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. With our main campus located in Ithaca, New York, Cornell's global presence includes the medical college's campuses on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and Doha, Qatar, as well as the Cornell Tech campus located on Roosevelt Island in the heart of New York City.

We offer a rich array of services, programs, and benefits to help employees advance in their career and enhance the quality of personal life, including employee wellness, workshops, childcare and adoption assistance, parental leave, and flexible work options.

Our Mission

Cornell Human Ecology (CHE) Cornell Human Ecology explores the complexity of human life. We bring together a wide range of perspectives to understand the full context of the human experience and improve lives at every scale, from cells to society. Our research and academic programs focus on the interaction of humans with their biological, economic, social and physical environments. Using Cornell's far-reaching extension network and the college's translational research methods, we deliver our findings directly to communities and families, ensuring that our work reaches those who need it most. We prioritize innovative collaboration and are fueled by a powerful, interdisciplinary, and applied approach to improving lives.

The Opportunity

Under the general supervision of Dr. Karl Pillemer, Principal Investigator and founding Director of the Cornell Institute for Translational Research on Aging, the Program Development and Engagement Specialist will be responsible for planning and implementing educational extension programs on a new program on the intersection of climate change and the older population and related topics. The successful candidate will collaborate with representatives from communities in New York City and Central New York and with researchers to plan, conduct, maintain, and/or evaluate innovative educational and applied research programs that address specific local, multi-county, or statewide needs on climate change and the older population. This position will collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of social scientists, and aging service providers.

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.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Program Development & Implementation
  • Develop and implement both short- and long-range educational programs to meet identified community needs, with attention to diversity and inclusion.
  • Collaborate with stakeholders to tailor content and co-create educational materials with community partners.
  • Recruit program sites, organize advisory committees, and incorporate focus group feedback into planning efforts.

• Stakeholder Engagement, Outreach & Collaboration
  • Engage with local, regional, and state partners to build and maintain collaborative networks.
  • Coordinate with external stakeholders including policymakers, practitioners, academic partners, and volunteers to support and promote program goals.

• Evaluation, Data Analysis & Reporting
  • Collect, analyze, and interpret data to evaluate program effectiveness.
  • Conduct focus groups and assessments, prepare internal and external reports (e.g., quarterly, year-end), and recommend program adjustments based on findings.

• Communication, Dissemination & Subject Matter Expertise
  • Serve as a subject matter expert and develop public-facing content such as press releases, social media posts, manuscripts, and web materials.
  • Contribute to communication strategies that increase program visibility and impact.

• Grants, Budgeting & Program Management
  • Identify funding opportunities and assist in developing grant proposals and related reports.
  • Support program budgeting, data tracking, and general administrative functions to ensure effective program delivery.

Success in this role requires a proactive and collaborative individual with a strong foundation in program development, outreach, and community engagement-particularly in the areas of environmental sustainability, climate change, and aging. The ideal candidate will bring experience in data collection and analysis, social media outreach, and working with diverse populations, including older adults and underserved communities. Strong organizational and communication skills are essential, along with the ability to manage multiple responsibilities, adapt to evolving program needs, and foster inclusive, respectful relationships across academic, community, and policy settings. Familiarity with the NYS Cooperative Extension System, applied research, and program evaluation will further support effectiveness in this role.

This is a full-time (35 hours per week), benefits eligible position that is based in NYC at 420 East 70th Street 3rdFloor, Suite B, New York, NY 10021.

Our office business hours are M-F, 8:00am - 4:30pm.

This position is eligible for hybrid work arrangement. The hybrid schedule will be determined at the time of hire with a minimum of 3 in-person days per week. The university reserves the right to modify, suspend, revoke or terminate the hybrid work arrangement at any time.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 3 to 5 years' experience in program development, outreach, or community engagement, or equivalent combination.
• Experience with data collection and analysis (e.g., surveys, focus groups).
• Experience working with the NYS Cooperative Extension System.
• Prior work experience on environmental sustainability and/or climate change issues.
• Ability to organize in-person programs in New York City and Upstate New York.
• Experience working on issues related to the older adult population.
• Experience overseeing and designing social media outreach activities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships and collaborate across varied teams and communities.
• Demonstrated organizational skills with attention to detail and ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Adaptability and problem-solving skills, especially in dynamic or evolving program settings.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and basic database management.
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with undergraduates in research.
• Prior involvement in applied research or extension programs.
• Grant writing or budget management experience.
• Familiarity with program evaluation and reporting tools.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently.
• Experience with aging-related organizations in New York City.

A cover letter and resume are required for further consideration for this position.

No visa sponsorship or relocation assistance are provided for this position.

Benefits

• Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, sustainability, and diversity initiatives.
• 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: https://hr.cornell.edu/benefits-pay.
• Follow this link to learn more about the Total Rewards of Working at Cornell: https://hr.cornell.edu/jobs/your-total-rewards.
• Our leave provisions include 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.
• Follow this link to learn more about the Total Rewards of Working at Cornell:Total Rewards | Working at Cornell.

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

To learn more about Cornell's non-union staff job titles and pay ranges, see Career Navigator.

Union Positions

The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined in accordance with the rates in the respective collective bargaining agreement. To learn more about Cornell's union wages, see Union Pay Rates.

Current Employees:

If you currently work at Cornell University, please exit this website and log in to Workday using your Net ID and password. Select the Career icon on your Home dashboard to view jobs at Cornell.

Online Submission Guidelines:

Most positions at Cornell will require you to apply online and submit both a resume/CV and cover letter. You can upload documents either by "dragging and dropping" them into the dropbox or by using the "upload" icon on the application page. For more detailed instructions on how to apply to a job at Cornell, visit How We Hire on the HR website.

Employment Assistance:

For general questions about the position or the application process, please contact the Recruiter listed in the job posting or email mycareer@cornell.edu.

If you require an accommodation for a disability in order to complete an employment application or to participate in the recruiting process, you are encouraged to contact Cornell University's Office of Institutional Equity and Title IX at voice (607) 255-2242, or email at accommodations@cornell.edu.

Applicants that do not have internet access are encouraged to visit your local library, or local Department of Labor. You may also request an appointment to use a dedicated workstation in the Office of Talent Attraction and Recruitment, at the Ithaca campus, by emailing mycareer@cornell.edu.

Notice to Applicants:

Please read the required Notice to Applicants statement by clicking here. This notice contains important information about applying for a position at Cornell as well as some of your rights and responsibilities as an applicant.

EEO Statement:

Cornellwelcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world-class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of "... any person ... any study." No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, 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.

Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeksjob candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. Wehire based on merit, and encourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.Consistent with federal law, Cornell engages in affirmative action in employment for qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRRA) and qualified individuals with disabilities under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.