Job Description

Cornell Botanic Gardens- Gardener S08-IPM Assistant- College of Agricultural & Life Sciences

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.

Department Background:

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences 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.

Cornell Botanic Gardens is a living plant museum comprising over 3,800 acres of University land in three major areas: the Botanical Gardens, Arboretum, and Natural Areas. An administrative unit of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS), Cornell Botanic Gardens manages and protects these areas to support teaching and research at Cornell University; to preserve habitats and rare/endangered plants; and for public use for learning and recreation.

Rewards and 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.

This position is full time (39 hours) year-round. Under direct supervision of the Greenhouse Supervisor assist the IPM Coordinator by scouting, diagnosing, treating, and working with garden staff on plant health care issues using cultural, biological, mechanical, and chemical control strategies to reduce pests to tolerable levels across all areas of the greenhouses and outdoor gardens. This work requires a general understanding of horticultural practices, plant-pest interactions, diverse pest management techniques and pesticide application equipment. This individual will conduct soil samples, implement a variety of application and inoculation techniques, keep records of pest and disease emergence dates, and apply appropriate pest/disease controls throughout the botanic gardens and arboretum. Using Integrated Pest Management approaches, work with IPM Coordinator to make judgements on best strategies for pest/disease diagnosis, control, and plant health. Maintain scouting reports and treatment notes for outdoor and greenhouse collections into appropriate electronic software programs. Assist the IPM Coordinator by engaging with organizations such as but not limited to the Sentinel Plant Network and Northeastern IPM Center to develop proactive pest prevention care for collections. Maintain the functional plantings at designated areas including but not limited to the Harris Slope and DeCoursey stairs. Maintain demonstration plantings that promote sustainable practices regarding pest management, tree/lawn maintenance, and ecosystem health including but not limited to living mulch tree rings and pollinator strips. Attend conferences or classes to continually pursue professional development within the field. Participate in meetings regarding job priorities, projects, garden reviews, and occasionally hiring committees. Participate in outdoor demonstrations and classes for our priority audiences on scouting techniques and pest and disease identification, and other plant health care issues. This position requires flexibility and will be required to work some weekends and holidays to meet the needs of the department. Assist gardening staff with busy season planting and mulching workloads. Ensure that all protocols and procedures adhere to safety requirements, NY State and Federal environmental laws.

VISA SPONSORSHIP IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THIS POSITION.

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE WILL NOT BE PROVIDED FOR THIS POSITION.

Required Qualifications:

• Experience in and/or demonstrated commitment to supporting diversity, equity, access, inclusion , and wellbeing.
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive and equitable working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.
• A.A.S. degree in entomology, plant pathology, or horticulture, or equivalent combination of education and experience with two to three years working in pest management scouting, diagnosis, and treatment of a variety of ornamental and edible plants.
• Ability to identify a wide range of woody and herbaceous plants and plant pests and diseases.
• Working knowledge of IPM best practices.
• General gardening skills including planting, dividing, mulching, watering, pruning, and familiarity with use of horticultural fertilizers and pesticides.
• Ability to operate light-duty equipment including but not limited to sprayers, brush chipper, chain saw, UTVs, tractor, and string trimmers, including sharpening and safety checks.
• Demonstrated proficiency with computers, including experience with Microsoft suite, databases, and spreadsheets.
• Must be physically capable of performing the functions associated with this position, including some winter snow removal.
• Must be willing to work under varying climatic conditions (heat, cold, precipitation, noise, dust).
• Ability to work in a team environment as well as independently to accomplish required tasks to achieve departmental objectives.
• Ability to develop effective working relationships with a variety of people.
• Willing and able to work with pesticides.
• Must have and maintain valid and unrestricted NYS driver's license and be cleared to drive for university business.
• Ability to obtain 3A and 7A, Certified Technician within 6 months and NYS Certified Applicator Pesticide License within two years and continuously maintain
• Must be personable, flexible, possess excellent organizational and communication skills and take pride in their work.
• Must exercise sound and ethical judgment when acting on behalf of the Department and the University.
• Willing and able to report to work outside of the regularly scheduled shift to address Botanic Gardens time-sensitive operational needs, or to assist with departmental emergencies, or to deal with issues of public safety.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree.
• More than 3 year's demonstrated knowledge of IPM best practices in a botanic garden or arboretum.
• Proficiency with Cornell Pesticide Application Database (PAD) or other online pesticide application records, and specialized databases such as IrisBG or Filemaker.
• 3A and 7A NYS Certified Pesticide Applicator License and continuously maintain.
• Familiarity with ArGIS.

University Job Title:

Gardener S08

Job Family:

United Auto Workers

Level:

S08

Pay Rate Type:

Hourly

Pay Range:

Refer to Union Pay Rates Link Below

Remote Option Availability:

Onsite

Company:

Contract College

Contact Name:

J'Frances White

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

Union Positions

Current Employees:

Online Submission Guidelines :

Employment Assistance:

Notice to Applicants:

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.

2024-10-09

Job Tags

Hourly pay, Holiday work, Full time, Contract work, Local area, Remote job, Outdoor, Relocation package, Flexible hours, Shift work, Weekend work,

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