Extension Associate - Spatial Analysis & Planning Associate
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Extension Associate - Spatial Analysis & Planning Associate

Department of Biological & Environmental Engineering

Extension Associate

Spatial Analysis & Planning Associate

Candidates should take the time to read all the elements of this job advert carefully Please make your application promptly.

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 Biological and Environmental Engineering Department (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 of undergraduate and graduate students; research on problems in biology and the environment; and public outreach to help society implement new knowledge.

Within CALS and BEE resides the New York State Water Resources Institute (NYSWRI). NYSWRI has as its mission to improve the management of water resources in New York State and the nation.

Position Function

The NYSWRI Spatial Analysis and Planning Extension Associate will provide outreach, research, and planning support in pursuit of various projects and programs across NYS. The applicant will be expected to develop and maintain a relationship with NYSWRI staff working both on and off-campus and perform tasks that further goals outlined in the DEC's Great Lakes Watershed Program (GLWP) and the Hudson River Estuary Program (HREP) Action Agendas.

Research/outreach topics include, but are not limited to:

• Diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ) in access to water resources
• Geospatial analysis in support of watershed management objectives
• Econometric modeling in support of water resource management decision making
• Building community flood resilience, and the communication of flood risk in public spaces
• Educational efforts aimed at increasing water resource literacy

The ideal candidate will have interest, and experience, in working with municipalities or similar organizations, and will be able to use a broad array of analytical tools in different planning, management, research, and communication contexts.

This position reports to the WRI Director, is located in Ithaca, NY on Cornell's campus, and is a one-year termed appointment. Annual appointments are expected and will be conditional upon available work, satisfactory performance and funding.

Anticipated Division of Time

Outreach Program Implementation (25%):

• Assist other NYSWRI staff in needs assessment, content creation, and dissemination with respect to development of outreach related to municipal climate resilience.
• Facilitate needs assessments and technical assistance for communities pursuant to more equitable distribution of water infrastructure funding and financing in EPA Region 2.
• Apply design skills to visualize water resource management scenarios for public communication purposes.
• Work with vendors to turn designs into outreach products.
• Coordinate research projects and provide both qualitative and quantitative analysis support.

Outreach Program Development (20%):

• Assist in development of a process to help communities perform needs assessment around public installations to communicate water resources issues.
• Contribute to the development of a platform to share research and outreach findings with stakeholders in the Great Lakes watershed.
• Develop methods to communicate and visualize research findings to a broad audience around water resource management.
• Provide public participation geo-design support to enhance community involvement in developing climate adaptation strategies.

Provide GIS Technical Support (20%):

• Providing GIS technical support to researchers and outreach professionals using spatial analysis skills for a variety of projects and products.
• Evaluating the effectiveness and impacts of water management policies through spatial regression analyses, providing data-driven insights to inform policy improvements.
• Documenting, analyzing, and visualizing data findings
• Collaborating with research and outreach collaborators in developing project reports and publications, with a focus on promoting spatial equity in water infrastructure.
• Facilitating efficient management of data and record-keeping systems and showcasing spatial analysis outcomes for a range of research projects and products.
• Extracting hydrologic and demographic information from a variety of reliable sources to develop a GIS database for State Revolving Fund projects and support various research initiatives.

Applied Research (20%):

• Explore and understand current literature and state of the art research related to topics outlined above.
• Work with NYSWRI research and outreach partners to effectively execute research plans and ensure timely completion of project objectives.
• Leverage quantitative analyses skills to support decision-making in water resource management, particularly in aquatic invasive species controls, local water infrastructure investment, and other NYSWRI priority areas.
• Interpret land-use regulations on water infrastructure and watershed protection management by reviewing local ordinances, such as city comprehensive plans and zoning codes.
• Conduct analysis on water resource funding policies and assist in drafting research reports and papers with the goal of achieving publishable standards.

Representation (15%):

• Participate in relevant Cornell, NYS, and other working groups and steering committees to communicate updates to partners, coordinate with complementary efforts, and learn from the approaches of others.
• Represent NYSWRI at regional conferences and outreach events.

Professional Development and Other Duties (5%):

• Participate in continuous learning and specialized training in related areas to enhance professional knowledge and skill.
• Seek out and attend educational seminars and training meetings as required.
• Stay informed regarding college and university policies & procedures.
• Continuously maintain all required educational and position qualifications to fulfill job requirements.
• Perform other duties and projects as assigned.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Regional Planning or related field with two years of relevant experience in environmental planning and green infrastructure.
• Experience in land-use regulations on community stormwater management and flooding mitigation strategies, particularly in Low Impact Development and Best Management Practices.
• Demonstrated knowledge of governance structures in NYS, particularly related to water resources management.
• Familiarity with water infrastructure, water affordability, and water quality challenges in EPA Region 2 states.
• Demonstrated design skills in outreach or research products.
• Demonstrated ability to develop educational materials for a public audience, including, but not limited to StoryMaps.
• Expertise in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for analyses and as a communication platform.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively to support the efforts of the overall project.
• Knowledge of economic impact analyses to model the economic benefits of water infrastructure investments.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, organizational skills with the ability to prioritize multiple projects, demonstrate flexibility, adapt to changes and provide consistent and accurate information.
• Must be willing to travel within the work region.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of water resource infrastructure development programs in NYS and the US more generally.
• Demonstrated outreach/communication skills and experience developing strong working relationships with research and professional partners, including representatives of state agencies, local and regional municipal governments, and other research and outreach professionals.
• Experiences of compiling and conducting statistical analysis of U.S. Census data.
• Demonstrated ability to work with community partners (municipal employees, NGO staff, local extension, and outreach professionals, etc.).
• Specialized technical knowledge: ArcGIS, QGIS, AGOL, and StoryMaps experience preferred.
• Econometrics and coding skills--particularly in R and Python--preferred.
• Economic impact modeling skills to measure economic benefits of water infrastructure investments.
• Spatial analysis skills and experience, particularly with hydrologic data, preferred.

Supervision Exercised

The position will involve mentoring and training of other staff and students. This position would minimally assist in providing guidance to support staff or contractors who may be engaged to complete products, such as GIS analysis. This position may also assist in guiding the work of graduate and undergraduate employees involved in NYSWRI research and outreach efforts.

To apply:

Applications will be reviewed as received, continuing until a suitable applicant is identified.

CALS hiring rate for this title is $71,000.

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Life. Changing.

Cornell University is an innovative Ivy League and Land-grant 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.

Cornell's regional and global presence includes state-wide Cornell Cooperative Extension programs and offices in all counties and boroughs, global partnerships with institutions and communities engaged in life-changing research and education, the medical college's campuses on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and Doha, Qatar, and the Cornell Tech campus on Roosevelt Island in the heart of New York City.

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.

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 strongly encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.

Pay Range:

$44,800.00 - $85,800.00

Pay Ranges:

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.
• Academic Discipline
• Unique applicable skills.

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