Supervisor Farm/Greenhouse, Landscape Operations Supervisor

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.

The Botanic Gardens’ Natural Areas Program is the steward of 3,700 acres of biologically diverse preserves in central New York and is among the five largest systems of natural areas associated with public gardens in North America. To support research and teaching at Cornell and beyond, we protect and steward preserves that represent the full range of ecological communities found in the Finger Lakes region.

Position Summary

While the Supervisor Farm/Greenhouse, Landscape Operations Supervisor position responsibilities vary, all people leaders are expected to foster a culture of belonging and a psychologically healthy work environment by being trustworthy; respecting all individuals; being flexible; supporting work/life integration as well as healthy boundaries; inviting new ideas, alternatives, and perspectives; speaking up and taking action if others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and recognizing the contributions of others. 

Responsibilities

The position coordinates four program areas: natural areas projects and programs, landscape infrastructure construction and maintenance, fleet operations, and the deer management program.

Natural Areas Management Protection and Safety:

In collaboration with the Director of Natural Areas, staff botanist, and stewardship staff, develop and implement projects and programs for Cornell Botanic Gardens’ 3,700 acres of natural areas. Recommend priorities and ensure the timely completion of designated projects involving the Natural Areas Stewardship Crew. Assist in the recruitment, hiring, and training of staff, and supervise all aspects of the assigned staff members. Develop, implement, and oversee habitat restoration and mitigation projects. In partnership with Facilities and Campus Services staff, support oversight of the gorge slope hazard-monitoring program and assist and support slope stabilization assessments and hazard abatement efforts in order to conserve natural areas proximate to the gorge slopes and infrastructure. In partnership with Facilities and Campus Services staff, assist and support the development of corrective trail infrastructure maintenance projects associated with Cascadilla Creek Gorge, Fall Creek Gorge, and Beebe Lake and provide recommendations to inform planned maintenance in order to conserve natural areas proximate to the gorge slopes and infrastructure. Assist with oversight and stakeholder coordination for on-campus conservation efforts in response to Facilities Services and infrastructure construction and repair projects proximate to natural areas. Lead training staff on ArcGIS and ESRI software applications. Adapt, combine, and/or improve utilization of ArcGIS and ESRI applications for natural areas management application, data collection, educational, and/or public uses. The position also supports education and outreach efforts for the natural areas program including supporting natural areas publicity and outreach efforts through writing, public speaking, and media engagement.

Deer Management Program:

In collaboration with the Director of Natural Areas, Cornell University stakeholders, law enforcement and New York State, oversee the University’s deer hunting program across CALS lands in Tompkins County and the natural areas off-campus nuisance deer management program. Review and evaluate outcomes, develop reports and provide recommendations. Support impact monitoring and public information programs to achieve desired goals.

Landscape Infrastructure Construction and Maintenance:

Collaborate with Program Directors and other garden staff to meet landscape construction needs and priorities; supervise the Botanic Gardens’ Landscape Construction Crew; and oversee the planning of weekly work and construction projects.

Fleet Operations:

Oversee the Gardens’ fleet management in consultation with the Botanic Gardens’ operations team and supervise the mechanic.

Qualifications

Required:

• Experience in and/or demonstrated commitment to supporting diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and wellbeing.
• Demonstrated skill in understanding of cultural differences.  
• Proven experience connecting diversity, inclusion, and wellbeing practices to business goals. 
• Bachelor’s degree and 3 to 5 years of experience within the following disciplines: plant ecology, forest ecology, conservation biology, wildlife biology, restoration ecology, sustainable use, or related fields.
• Possess broad knowledge and in-depth understanding of regional biota, resource management, ecosystem processes, trail construction, landscape and hardscape construction methods, invasive sand nuisance animal control, and land-based sustainability practices.
• Demonstrated ability to identify needs within specific natural areas and to develop and execute management plans to successfully address those needs.
• Experience developing and implementing wildlife management and monitoring programs, or equivalent.
• Knowledgeable about white-tailed deer ecology and deer management.
• Demonstrated project management experience.
• Experience with educational and safety programs, have strong knowledge about local geology, and have demonstrated experience involving safety and hazard monitoring programs, or related.
• Must be personable, flexible, possess excellent organizational and communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to develop effective working relationships with a wide variety of faculty, local government groups, non-governmental organizations, landowners, students, volunteers, and donors.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and to foster an inclusive, high-quality and respectful work environment; ability to work both in a team setting and independently to achieve program, departmental, and university goals.
• Be willing to work around pesticides and chemicals.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.
• Ability to use Microsoft Office applications (e.g. Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint), and other standard business software applications.
• Proficient user and administrator of ESRI ArcGIS suite of desktop, field-based, and web-based applications and hardware.
• Willing to work under varying climatic conditions (heat, cold, precipitation, etc.). Willing to occasionally work non-standard hours.

Preferred:

• Master’s degree and five to seven years relevant experience strongly preferred.
• Experience developing and implementing complex, urban or suburban deer management and monitoring programs.
• Demonstrated experience with developing and implementing landscape construction projects, trail infrastructure, construction, and habitat restoration projects.
• Highly proficient with use of ESRI GIS and Trimble GPS technologies.
• Prior supervising, leadership, and management skills and familiarity with union requirements.
• Public speaking and presentation experience.
• Experience developing, implementing, and leading hazard abatement and educational programs.

Note: While position responsibilities vary greatly, the Skills for Success and Leadership Skills for Success are foundational to what is expected of every employee and leader working at Cornell. These skills are essential for individual and organizational success. Staff Skills for Success; Leadership Skills for Success

Compensation

• Pay Range is $59,325.00 - $68,945.00.

As a university founded to be a place where “…any person can find instruction in any study,” diversity and inclusion are at the core of our values and mission. We strive to be a welcoming, caring, healthy, and equitable community where students, faculty, and staff with different backgrounds, perspectives, abilities, and experiences can learn, innovate, and work in an environment of respect, and feel empowered to engage in any community conversation. As a member of the Cornell University community, it is important to recognize our shared responsibility to each other to cultivate a culture of inclusion for all.  Cornell Core values

As a people manager and university leader you will model and support a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and wellbeing by fostering an environment where everyone has the ability to thrive and navigate work and life’s challenges because they feel like they belong and have the tools and support they need.    

While position responsibilities vary greatly, the Skills for Success and Leadership Skills for Success are foundational to what is expected of every employee and leader working at Cornell. These skills are essential for individual and organizational success. Staff Skills for Success; Leadership Skills for Success

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.