Join Our Team as the Bird Cams Project Lead for the Lab of Ornithology at Cornell University!

If you're eager to make an impact and be part of a dynamic team, then we invite you to explore this exciting opportunity with us!

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University 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 and/or marginalized identities to apply.

About The Department

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is dedicated to advancing the understanding and protection of the natural world and joins with people from all walks of life to make new scientific discoveries, share insights, and galvanize conservation action.

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is the world’s leading institute for research, education, citizen science, and conservation focused on birds (annual budget $38M). The Lab is a vibrant unit actively contributing to the mission of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS), which is a premier institution of scientific learning, tackling the complex challenges of our time through purpose-driven science.

About the Opportunity

As part of the Live Media Group in the Cornell Lab’s Marketing and Communications team, the Bird Cams Project Lead works independently and in collaboration with the Live Media Producer in leading the development, management, and growth of live experiences centered on Bird Cams, strengthening their role in engaging millions of people each year in learning and caring about birds and nature through live cams and live events.

The Bird Cams Project Lead has the following responsibilities:

• Plans, initiates, develops, and implements strategically-selected collaborations to ensure that Bird Cams increasingly engages a wide, diverse audience in accordance with Lab goals through its suite of 24/7 live cams

• Works with the Live Media Producer to establish long term editorial planning, camera portfolio strategies, and Marketing and Communication goals and outcomes. Researches and identifies new opportunities for impact and growth.

• Supervises, provides guidance, and mentors the Bird Cams Communications Assistant & volunteer team’s roles in various projects.

• Fosters community engagement with the Bird Cams and the Cornell Lab’s mission. Develops a community with a strong affinity to the Cornell Lab by increasing engagement and by connecting new users and lifelong learners to help get them involved more deeply. Monitors online sentiment, and plans and implements strategies, solutions, and tools to better engage audiences and communicate key priorities.

• Collaborates with Marketing and Communications team to envision and develop live cam opportunities and experiences that amplify communications campaigns from across the Lab and Cornell, helping to create trackable outcomes and evaluate impacts.

• Oversees live cam installations and the ongoing operational maintenance of technologies necessary for the cams program functionality.

This is full-time position located at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology in Ithaca, NY. This position allows for a hybrid or fully remote work arrangement.

What We Need

• Bachelor's degree in Biology, Communication, or other relevant discipline and more than 3 years or equivalent experience in science communication and natural history interpretation, or equivalent combination.

• Excellent communication skills, including written, verbal, and interpersonal skills.

• High level of proficiency in social media communication and management tools, especially relating to YouTube and video distribution across multiple platforms and audiences.

• Expert knowledge of the natural history and behavior of birds as well as the birding community.

• At least 3 years’ experience working in video editing, production, live streaming, and social media.

• Skilled in Adobe Creative Suite

• Resourceful, independent thinker willing and able to seek information from experts and the scientific literature.

• Ability to write and speak professionally and accurately, using simple, friendly language accessible to all. Positive, courteous, and helpful attitude when responding to complaints.

• Experience with managing staff, volunteers, and students.

• Confidence in public speaking and in dealing with challenging and/or complex topics. Ability to discern the sensitivity of internal/external communications in a large public organization.

• 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.

• Passionate about working in an organization that values and promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, anti-racism, and wellbeing

Cornell communicators share a mission to enhance and preserve the university’s brand and reputation as a top research institution and a leader in higher education, and to support and promote critical programs that serve the university’s teaching, research, and public engagement mission.

Preferably, the successful candidate will also have the following:

• MA degree in Communications or Education with relevant experience or course work in biology, or MA degree in Biology with relevant experience in Public Relations, Communications, or Education.

• Prior experience as public information specialist or naturalist focused on bird-related topics highly desired.

• Prior work experience with a not-for-profit or PR organization is valuable.

• Proficiency with web content management and/or WordPress is an asset.

• Cultivation and remote administration of volunteers is highly useful.

If you are passionate about conservation and scientific discovery, we encourage you to apply!

Rewards and 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 health and personal leave, 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.

• 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.

No Visa Sponsorship is available for this position.

How to Apply:

You must submit both a Resume and Cover letter. ​

When applying through our system, please attach your application materials (resume 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.

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:

Communication Spec III

Job Family:

Communications/Marketing

Level:

F

Pay Rate Type:

Salary

Pay Range:

$74,026.00 - $86,030.00

Remote Option Availability:

Hybrid

Company:

Contract College

Contact Name:

Denise Smith

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

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.

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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 equity@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:

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.

2024-08-16