Water Equity Specialist (Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering); Ithaca, New York

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Water Equity Specialist

Extension Support Specialist II
Band F - Exempt
Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS)

Ithaca, New York

Who We Are

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) at Cornell embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We strongly encourage individuals from underrepresented identities to apply.

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: natural and human systems; food, energy, and environmental resources; and social, physical, and economic well-being.

The Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering (BEE) is one of the largest of its kind in the country, with a very diverse faculty, staff, and student population. The department serves three integrated functions: teaching undergraduate and graduate students, researching problems in biology and the environment, and public outreach to help society implement new knowledge.

The New York State Water Resources Institute (NYSWRI) resides within CALS and BEE. Its mission is to improve the management of water resources in New York State and the nation. NYSWRI collaborates with regional, state, and national partners to increase awareness of emerging water resource issues and to develop and assess new water resource management approaches, technologies, and policies. NYSWRI connects water research and water management communities.

What You Will Do

The Water Equity Specialist will work to advance a project whose goal is to help under-resourced and under-represented municipalities, Native Nations, and water utilities in EPA Region 2 (New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands) access federal and state funding, including Bi-partisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funding, for projects that address clean and safe water resources.

The Water Equity Specialist will help to identify and engage underserved communities that may benefit from technical assistance and improved access to State Revolving Fund (SRF) programming for implementation of water infrastructure improvements. The Water Equity Specialist will also help to coordinate a broad set of project stakeholders to support and conduct research that leads to more effective and equitable training, tools, and resources for technical assistance providers and government funding program administrators. Ultimately, the successful candidate will help inform improvements to existing and future infrastructure assistance programs and act as a liaison between under-resourced communities and the institutions aiming to support them.

The Water Equity Specialist will be responsible for:

• Extension and community engagement with the goal of assisting the broader project team in working with communities and in the production and distribution of culturally competent and plain language communications.
• Coordination of project team members and stakeholders to establish and maintain clear and consistent internal communication. Specifically, this may include maintenance of digital contact lists, website and social media postings, server and shared working space, and participation in and documentation of in-person and virtual meetings.
• Conducting Research that generates, identifies, and integrates emerging knowledge of how to more equitably and sustainably engage with and assist diverse, under-resourced and under-represented communities, particularly with respect to clean water infrastructure and water resource management.

Consistent with the overall project goal of increasing equity within interactions between levels of government and communities, the Water Equity Specialist is expected to actively explore and apply methodologies for enhancing equity, diversity and inclusion throughout all activities outlined above.

What We Need

We are looking for a talented individual who builds and maintains effective relationships with multiple stakeholders. We need someone interested in helping under-resourced and under-represented municipalities have access to clean and safe water resources. Additionally, we need someone who has the following:

• Bachelor's degree and 3+ years of relevant experience in a field related to water infrastructure, water resources management, community planning, or public administration, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated experience in building positive relationships with various individuals and stakeholders.
• General knowledge of water infrastructure with respect to drinking water, sanitation, and stormwater management.
• Experience in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, and PowerPoint).
• Excellent communication skills (both oral and written).
• Strong organizational skills.
• Ability to prioritize multiple activities and tasks while meeting deadlines.
• Experience that demonstrates sound judgment, creativity, management, and solution-finding skills.
• Must be flexible and receptive to new ideas and approaches.
• Ability to provide consistent and accurate information.
• Willing and able to attend EPA Region 2 (New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands) wide functions and events.
• Will be expected to occasionally work flexible hours, evenings, and weekends as job functions require.
• Must be able to meet the travel requirements of the position, and have reliable transportation as well as have and maintain a valid and unrestricted New York State driver's license.
• Experience in and/or demonstrated commitment to supporting diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and well-being.
• Experience incorporating the perspectives of multiple communities, including communities of color.

If you possess these experiences and skills, this may be the role for you! There are a few other qualifications that we would view as incredibly helpful in this role, including:

• Master's degree in a field related to water infrastructure, water resources management, community planning, or public administration.
• A record of research publications related to water infrastructure, water resources management, community planning, or public administration.
• Professional or volunteer experience in county, municipal, community, land-use planning, or other governance role.
• Experience with engagement and capacity building, especially with local governments and/or community-based organizations.
• Creativity in developing and delivering outreach materials, including public speaking and translating technical information into clear and accessible messaging.
• Knowledge of communities, cultures, and governance within EPA Region 2 (New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands).
• Working knowledge and/or lived experience with diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ) topics, including environmental justice.
• Experience working with disadvantaged or marginalized communities to facilitate their participation in decision-making and/or to identify environmental issues of concern that affect them.
• Working understanding of the roles of relevant federal and state regulations, guidance, and funding.

This position is full-time (40 hours/week) and will be located in Ithaca, New York. This is a one-year appointment with possible extension depending on funding and performance.

There is the opportunity to work remotely within New York State two days a week; an on-site presence in Ithaca is required three days a week.

Rewards and Benefits

We hope you appreciate great benefits. Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, well-being, sustainability, and diversity initiatives.

• Salary is based upon experience/qualifications and is within the range of $66,500 to $71,000.
• You can also view additional information regarding job competencies and staff skills for success.
• Cornell has a comprehensive total rewards program that offers several benefits options to meet your needs. More information on our wonderful programs can be found at https://hr.cornell.edu/jobs/your-total-rewards.

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Life. Changing.

No relocation assistance is provided for this position. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

How to Apply

You must submit both a resume/CV and a cover letter.

When applying through our system, please attach your application materials (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. If you are an internal employee, please log in to Workday.

EEO Statement

Cornell University is an innovative Ivy League university and a great place to work. Our 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.

Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University's heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations.

Familiarize yourself with Cornell's COVID-19 workplace guidance as well as the university's COVID-19 services and information.

University Job Title:

Extension Supp Spec II

Job Family:

Academic Support

Level:

F

Pay Rate Type:

Salary

Pay Range:

$64,265.00 - $71,587.00

Remote Option Availability:

Hybrid

Company:

Contract College

Contact Name:

Turner DePalma

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 (faculty pay ranges reflects 9-month annual salary)

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

Union Positions

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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 atequity@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.

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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:

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.

2024-06-13

EEO Statement: Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University’s heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. Cornell University is an innovative Ivy League university and a great place to work. Our 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.

Minimum Salary: 31200.00 Maximum Salary: 31200.00 Salary Unit: Yearly