Visitor Center Temporary Assistant - Lab of Ornithology

About The Department

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is the world's leading resource for conservation, research, education, and participatory science focused on birds. The Lab is a vibrant unit within Cornell's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS), where full-time faculty and other renowned professionals direct six world-class, mission-driven centers. Staff at the Lab teach undergraduate courses, advise graduate students, collect and disseminate world-famous digital resources on biodiversity, and engage with partner organizations and individuals around the world to conduct scientific research and conservation actions. Our management and staff are committed to the highest standards of ethics and excellence in all areas of our work, and our Board leadership includes faculty from Cornell and other universities, successful entrepreneurs and managers from the business and non-profit sectors, and conservation-minded people from around the world. The Cornell Lab is committed to fostering a healthy workplace that values diverse perspectives and backgrounds as well as supporting growth and advancement opportunities. The Lab welcomes staff who are still learning in their careers and who are motivated to take on new challenges.

The Center for Engagement in Science and Nature (CESN) activates and supports people worldwide to connect with birds and nature, participate in science, and promote the wellbeing of humans and natural systems. Recognizing that one of our significant strengths is the collective power of the people we engage, the Lab formed a multidisciplinary unit aimed at being a world leader in inspiring people to contribute to science and become advocates for life on earth. Our model for change is to bring curiosity to scale through education and citizen science so that together we can gain insight into how natural systems work and address global conservation challenges. To achieve these outcomes, the CESN seeks to expand our capacity to study the process of participation in science and offer best practices for promoting and supporting conservation action to a worldwide community. We seek to combine the Lab's unprecedented data resources on bird populations with a growing expertise in social science to affect change.

About The Opportunity

We are seeking a part-time Visitor Center Assistant to join a dynamic team serving the Lab's local and global audiences. The Cornell Lab's Visitor Center in Sapsucker Woods offers visitors from near and far a unique chance to connect with the Lab and our mission to interpret and conserve the earth's biodiversity.

The Visitor Center Assistant will play a key role in the Lab's mission by providing a welcoming environment and engaging with the public. Highlighting the many experiences and exhibits within the newly redesigned Visitor Center the Visitor Center Assistant will serve as a bridge between the content and visitor.

As the Visitor Center Assistant, you will work to support our public-facing efforts. Job responsibilities include:

• Serve as the ambassador of the Lab and its programs to visitors.
• As the first point of contact at the Front Desk, greet, orient, and direct visitors and groups, providing individualized guidance to ensure the best possible visit.
• Provide visitors with information on accessibility resources as needed.
• Address and resolve visitor needs, concerns, and questions diplomatically. Think creatively to solve issues and find solutions for unplanned events or circumstances.
• Assist with incoming emails and phone calls.
• Oversee and participate in opening and closing operations for the Visitor Center and Adelson Library.
• Staff the Adelson Library by fulfilling book requests, shelving, scanning, and other tasks as needed.
• Maintain inventory of materials and supplies in the Visitor Center, communicating any needs with the appropriate staff.
• Maintain exhibits, testing exhibit technology each day and reporting any issues to appropriate staff.
• Accept potential specimens for study skins and collect information. Check the observatory windows for bird collisions. Follow appropriate collection guidelines.
• Place calls to CU police, EMT, Environmental Health and Safety when needed.
• Serve as the main point of contact for volunteers and student employees running scheduled programs.
• Suggest programming and resources based on visitor needs and requests.
• Provide logistical support for special events and workshops when necessary.
• Communicate regularly with the Lab's Facilities Team to make sure the Visitor Center, Adelson Library, and trails at Sapsucker Woods are well-maintained, safe, and meet the needs of visitors and groups.

This is a part-time temporary position with the option for renewal. This six month position will work a flexible schedule of 8-12 hours/week with the primary hours being Saturdays and Sundays from 9:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology in Ithaca, NY. Additional hours are available for holidays when the Visitor Center remains open, and when coverage is needed during weekdays.

What We Need

The successful candidate will have formal training beyond a HS diploma of 6 month to 1 year. Three years of experience in customer service, in a museum or similar setting.

• Experience in and/or demonstrated commitment to supporting diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and wellbeing.
• Excellent customer service and oral/written communication skills.
• Must enjoy working with the public of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds.
• Basic clerical skills including filing, phone operation, office equipment, working knowledge of Microsoft Suite, Zoom, Google Suite, Qualtrics, and other online platforms.
• Ability to work independently and learn new technologies.
• Must be flexible, show initiative, manage priorities, and maintain positivity with visitors and when unplanned.
• Have knowledge of, or willingness to learn about, the Lab's history, programs, research, and resources available to visitors.
• Must exercise good judgment in emergency situations either in the building or on the trails.
• Knowledge of North American birds and regional natural history.
• Obtain and maintain PCI compliance training.
• Required to be available on weekends and, if able, fill in on an emergency basis.
• Must have demonstrated ability for working collaboratively and inclusively. Proven ability to work in a team environment where cooperation between colleagues and flexibility to different styles and approaches is required.

Preferably the successful candidate will also have the following;

• Bachelor's degree or other formal training.
• Expertise in bird identification and biology.
• Experience in environmental education and outreach, a museum, or a similar setting.
• Knowledgeable about the local area and Finger Lakes region.
• Experience in providing scientific content to the general public.

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.

This is a casual temporary position without benefits.

How to Apply:

• To apply, please send a cover letter describing your interest and qualifications, along with your resume. Open until filled. For questions, please contact Lisa Kopp, Visitor Experience Manager (lkopp@cornell.edu)
• 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.
• 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.
• Cornell University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Educator supporting individuals with disabilities and veterans. Learn more athr.cornell.edu/eeeo

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