the word "jobs" spelled with push-pins and cut out letters on a cork bulletin board

Learn about job opportunities with Cornell Cooperative Extension!

CCE Tompkins staff ride e-bikes in the Ithaca Fest Parade 2023
Image by David Foote

You'll find our staff out in the community...

A person in a t-shirt reading "Better Together" talks with one of our family educators at a table in a park.
Image by David Foote

meeting our neighbors and sharing what we do.

Aloja Airewele teaching a green workforce development class.

Staff lead workshops and classes

Master Composters in an Ithaca Farmers' Market booth at the 2023 Plant Sale.
Image by David Foote

and create resources to share with the community!

Jobs

All applications for regular employment with Cornell Cooperative Extension Tompkins County and other county extension associations must be submitted through the Cornell University Employment system (see information at left). Instructions for applying to temporary positions will be provided in the position announcement. We do post available job and internship opportunities on this page when they become available, with links to the Cornell website, for your convenience.

Cornell Cooperative Extension Tompkins County provides equal program and opportunities. No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, color, creed, religion, national or ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, or qualified disability. Individuals who bring a diverse perspective and are supportive of diversity are strongly encouraged to apply.

Open Positions

4-H Administrative Assistant

The person in this role will support to 4-H programs, events, and fundraising projects with tasks including customer communication, record keeping, facility rental, promotion and marketing tasks, and enrollment and registration of participants and volunteers. The incumbent will operate client management software, manage spreadsheets, maintain accurate accounts and databases, and produce reports. They will also coordinate or assist in the coordination of volunteers and interns for specific events and tasks.

  • Qualifications include excellent organization skills, ability to prioritize tasks and work assignments, and ability to create promotional material.
  • Compensation is $20 per hour.
  • Associates degree or GED/High School diploma and 1-year transferrable experience required.
  • This is a full-time, 40 hour per week, benefits-eligible, non-exempt position.
  • All applications must be received online by May 1, 2024.

See full details of the position and APPLY ONLINE.


Finance Manager

This position will provide administrative direction, management, and coordination for Association Financial Operations, working with the Finance Director to liaise with Extension Administration and statewide finance leads for high-level guidance and recommendations on Finance expectations and compliance. This position will play an integral role in grant and contract financial efforts, and will work closely with the Association Executive Director and Board of Directors in financial record keeping, financial analysis, management, and decision making.

  • Qualifications include demonstrated proficiency in computerized bookkeeping/accounting systems, capability to create spreadsheets in Microsoft Excel, and ability to communicate effectively through oral, written and visual means.
  • Compensation starting at $65,000.00 per year, depending on experience.
  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent education (Associate’s degree and two years’ transferrable, functional experience) required.
  • This is a full-time, 40 hour per week, benefits-eligible, exempt position.
  • All applications must be received online by March 15, 2024.

See full details of the position and APPLY ONLINE.


Life Skills Program Coordinator

Do you care deeply about supporting people with life skills training so they can improve their life circumstances and mental well-being? Do you want to work collaboratively with our diverse communities to support solutions to the challenges community members face? If you answered yes to those questions then that’s more important to us than the formal professional experience you may have had.

We are looking for a creative and community-oriented Life Skills Program Coordinator. We want someone whose life experience inside and outside the workplace is going to allow you to talk with people about their daily challenges and provide educational programs to assist them. If you think your experience and skills are transferable, the answer is they almost certainly are. This position is less than half-time initially (7-15 hours per week) but we can talk about how to grow this to be benefits eligible (0.5-1 FTE) rapidly if that’s what you are interested in.

Salary is $22-$28 per hour depending on experience and qualifications. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. If you have questions about the position please reach out to the Nutrition, Health, Safety, and Financial Education Program Leader Chris Kai-Jones at 607 272 2292 Ext. 135. Please leave contact details and times in the evening or weekend to call you back.

See the full position description here. This states a Bachelor’s degree is required, but if you have an Associate’s degree and very relevant experience please apply. To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to Chris Kai-Jones at chj7@cornell.edu


Community Beautification Program Assistant 

The Community Beautification Program Assistant will be an integral team member of the Beautification Staff, providing support for the planning, installation, and maintenance of plantings managed by the  Community Beautification Program throughout Tompkins County. The Program Assistant will also assist with the education and support of volunteers, known as the Beautification Brigade.

  • Compensation is $20.00/hr
  • Associates Degree, Certificate, or significant coursework in Horticulture or related field, or two years of experience as a landscape gardener or in ornamental horticulture.
  • Must have a valid driver's license.
  • Experience working as a volunteer or working with volunteers.
  • Experience working in a public setting.
  • Willingness to work outside in all weather.
  • Must be able to work independently yet be part of a team.
  • Ability to adapt to constantly shifting priorities.
  • Knowledge of annual and perennial plants and their effective use in the landscape.

We are recruiting for 2 open positions:  one seasonal position for 8 months  at 24 hrs/week; and one short-term position for 16 weeks at 10-12 hrs/week, with the potential for additional hours or a longer duration depending on our needs. See the full position details and requirements and learn how to apply through the links above.


4-H Acres Cleaner

The 4-H Acres Cleaner will be responsible for cleaning an educational facility located outside of Ithaca, NY, two evenings per week. This is a temporary position, with the possibility for being made permanent. The employee must be comfortable working evening hours in a facility with limited exterior lighting.  Additional hours may be required for special events.

  • Pay starting at $28/hour.
  • Qualifications include experience in cleaning and janitorial services, ability to effectively communicate via email, and ability to perform the physical demands of the position. 
  • Must have reliable transportation.
  • This is a part-time, 6 hours per week, benefits-ineligible, non-exempt position.

See full details of the position, and apply by submitting a resume and three references to Pete Angie, pja23@cornell.edu. The search will remain open until a candidate is found.


Nutrition Director

Do you care deeply about improving nutrition and food security, particularly for under-resourced populations in Tompkins County? Do you want to work collaboratively with our diverse communities and stakeholders to support solutions to nutrition and food security challenges?

Cornell Cooperative Extension Tompkins County is looking for a creative and community-oriented Nutrition Director to be a leader for our Association. As an organization, we have many staff working on different aspects of the food system. This position would have the opportunity to augment those existing projects, and drive the Association’s work in new directions.

The Nutrition Director position offers great leadership opportunities for the right candidate to direct resources to achieve community nutrition goals, as well as help shape the delivery of federal nutrition program initiatives.

Salary is $64,000 at 1 FTE. Benefits include significant flexibility in working hours as well as NYS pension and health insurance options. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

If you have questions about the position please reach out to the Nutrition, Health, Safety, and Financial Education Program Leader Chris Kai-Jones at 607 272 2292 Ext. 135. Please leave contact details and times in the evening or weekend to call you back.

See full details of the position and APPLY ONLINE.


Newfield Rural Youth Services Program Educator

This individual will lead a community- and school-based youth development program, delivering educational youth programs that address locally developed priorities, using materials developed and/or identified by the 4-H Issue Leader. This position will require supervision of program assistants and direction of volunteers and interns to meet program needs.

  • Pay starting at $19.57/hour, commensurate with experience.
  • Bachelor’s degree or Associate’s degree and two years’ relevant experience are required. 
  • Must have experience organizing and implementing programs to meet the needs of youth and ability to motivate, develop and relate to middle and secondary school-age youth, grades five through twelve.
  • This is a full-time, 40 hour per week, benefits-eligible, non-exempt position.
  • Schedule includes some nights and weekends to accommodate educational programs.

See full details of the position and APPLY ONLINE.


Tompkins Community Energy Educator

Join a team of Community Energy Educators at Cornell Cooperative Extension Tompkins County to deliver clean energy education programs in Tompkins County, helping residents--especially those with limited income--learn about ways to reduce energy use and transition to renewable forms of energy to heat and power homes. In addition to working with colleagues at the Tompkins office, they will be part of a  Regional Clean Energy Hub serving the Southern Tier region.

  • Pay starting at $21/hour, commensurate with experience.
  • Bachelor’s degree or Associate’s degree and two years’ relevant experience are required.
  • This is a full-time, 40 hour per week, benefits-eligible position.
  • Schedule is flexible with possibilities of working remotely some of the time.
  • The search will remain open until Thursday, February 22, 2024, or until a suitable candidate is found.

See full details of the position and APPLY ONLINE.


Primitive Pursuits Assistant Overnight Camp Director

The Overnight Assistant Camp Director will work closely with the year-round Camp Director to get Primitive Pursuits-Arnot Forest Camps back to full swing after a 3-year hiatus. Prior to the summer camp season, they will be directly involved in planning staff training, crafting camp schedules, completing administrative tasks, establishing program logistics, organizing, preparing the camp property for camp and inventorying program supplies. During the summer, responsibilities include mentorship of staff; responding to emergencies; facilitating staff meetings and planning; maintaining the camp property, camp resources and supplies; and interacting with parents, campers, staff, and administration.

  • This is a non-exempt, temporary position from March 14 to August 9, 2024. The role will include 15 hours per week until June 1, then 40 hours per week through August 9. Compensation is $20 per hour until June 21; $4,000 total between June 24 and August 9. 
  • Must be at least 21 years old with a minimum of 1 year of supervisory experience (does not have to be in a camp setting). 
  • Other requirements include experience in mentoring OR coaching staff members/co-workers in problem solving, organization and day to day coordination, as well as 2+ year experience as an overnight naturalist/wilderness instructor OR lead overnight camp counselor working with youth ages 9-16 in an undeveloped setting. Must pass all required screenings for working at a NYS Summer Camp.
  • Must have RTE First Aid OR WFR Certification, and CPR for the Professional Rescuer or higher OR be able to attain it before the start of camp.
  • Housing provided in one of our cabins, with access to a kitchen and bathrooms. All meals while camp is in session provided at no cost.
  • Applications will be received online by February 1 or until position is filled.

See full details of the position and APPLY ONLINE.


Primitive Pursuits Overnight Camp Nurse

The key role of the Overnight Camp Nurse is to oversee all emergency and medical related care for our overnight camp staff and campers from registration, arrival to departure. Throughout the week the Camp Nurse will provide medications to campers and staff as per Department of Health standards, maintain the camp infirmary, treat minor injuries and be on-call while camp is in session. The Overnight Camp Nurse stays on site at Arnot Forest for the entire duration of the camp season.

  • This is a full-time, 40 hours per week, non-exempt, temporary position from July 1 to August 5, 2024. Compensation is $4,000. 
  • Must be a licensed Physician, Nurse Practitioner, Physician’s Assistant, Registered Nurse, or Licensed Practical Nurse and able to practice the profession in NYS (have a valid NYS license). Must pass all required screenings for working at a NYS Summer Camp.
  • Prior experience working with youth in some capacity (does not have to be in a medical capacity) required; must be on-call while campers are on site Sunday-Friday.
  • Housing provided in one of our cabins, with access to a kitchen and bathrooms. All meals while camp is in session provided at no cost.
  • Applications must be received online by April 1.

See full details of the position and APPLY ONLINE.


Primitive Pursuits Kitchen Manager

The Camp Kitchen Manager will provide nutritious meals for all campers and staff attending the overnight camp at Arnot Forest, using the outdoors as the kitchen alongside our commercial kitchen. The Camp Kitchen Manager will coordinate meals taking place indoors and outdoors at various camp locations throughout the Arnot property. They will be required to prepare meals for various diets, order food, craft menus, and organize kitchen supplies and cleanliness.

  • This is a full-time, 40 hours per week, non-exempt, temporary position from July 1 to August 5, 2024. Compensation is $4,500. 
  • Must have 1-2 years of experience working in a commercial kitchen OR similar environment; 1-2 years of meal planning/prep experience/food ordering; and supervisory experience in some capacity. Must pass all required screenings for working at a NYS Summer Camp.
  • Must be able to to work on your feet for long periods of time (4+ hours) and live and stay on site while camp is in session.
  • Housing provided in one of our cabins, with access to a kitchen and bathrooms. All meals while camp is in session provided at no cost.
  • Applications must be received online by April 1.

See full details of the position and APPLY ONLINE.


Primitive Pursuits Camp Kitchen Assistant

The Kitchen Assistant will assist the Kitchen Manager to make nutritious meals for all campers and staff attending the overnight camp at Arnot Forest. The Camp Kitchen Assistant will assist in coordinating meals taking place indoors and outdoors at various camp locations throughout the Arnot property. They will be required to prepare meals for various diets, order food, craft menus, and organize kitchen supplies and cleanliness.

  • This is a full-time, 40 hours per week, non-exempt, temporary position from July 1 to August 5, 2024. Compensation is $2,500. 
  • Must be 18 years of age or older and must pass all required screenings for working at a NYS Summer Camp. Experience working in a kitchen in some capacity preferred.
  • Must be able to to work on your feet for long periods of time (4+ hours) and live and stay on site while camp is in session.
  • Housing provided in one of our cabins, with access to a kitchen and bathrooms. All meals while camp is in session provided at no cost.
  • Applications must be received online by April 1.

See full details of the position and APPLY ONLINE.


Internship Opportunities

4-H Archivist Internship (8/24/2023)

As an Archivist Intern with Tompkins County 4-H and Cornell Cooperative Extension, you will play a crucial role in preserving and organizing historical documents, photographs, and artifacts related to the organization’s rich history. Responsibilities will include:

  • Creating a Classification System
  • Digitizing and Preserving Materials
  • Storing and Organizing
  • Cataloging and Metadata
  • Research and Documentation
  • Creating Exhibits for Internal and External Audiences

Position is part-time (20 hours/week) for two semesters or a calendar year. Read the full position description, qualifications, and how to apply.


4-H Event Planning Internship (10/25/2023)

Assist in the coordination and execution of our annual Duck Race fundraiser! This internship offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience while supporting the meaningful cause of local youth development programs. Responsibilities will include:

  • Event Coordination
  • Marketing and Promotion
  • Fundraising Support
  • Participant Engagement
  • Event Day Support
  • Post-Event Evaluation

Position is part-time (15 hours/week) for six months. Read the full position description, qualifications, and how to apply.


Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Last updated March 5, 2024