Assistant Director of Agricultural Science (Cornell University)

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) 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: We believe that achieving next-generation scientific breakthroughs requires an understanding of the world’s complex, interlocking systems. We believe that access to nutritious food and a healthy environment is a fundamental human right. We believe that ensuring a prosperous global future depends on the ability to support local people and communities everywhere. By working in and across multiple scientific areas, CALS can address challenges and opportunities of the greatest relevance, here in New York, across the nation, and around the world. Position Function Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) provides the educational outreach functions for Cornell University’s role as New York States Land Grant University. Programmatically, Cornell Cooperative Extension connects the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) and the College of Human Ecology (CHE) with 54 CCE Associations. The CCE Assistant Director for Agriculture and Food Systems has a critical leadership role under the Associate Dean and Director of CCE. The AD for A&FS provides primary academic leadership and management for the CCE Regional Ag and Food System program, which consists currently of 10 Regional teams, 100+ Cornell employees, and an annual operating budget of 8 million. The AD is responsible for enhancing program delivery, responding to stakeholder needs, and engaging with CCE Executive Directors, CALS Departments, and faculty in Ithaca and Geneva, regional program staff and stakeholders, in constructive dialogue that champions the value of CCE programming and ensures sustainability of regional and statewide teams. The AD seeks new funding streams via competitive grants and function as liaison with potential funding sources such as the New York Farm Viability Institute, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), USDA-NIFA, and others. The AD serves as direct supervisor for a team of CCE Extension Associates, Senior Extension Associates, Extension Support Specialists, and administrative staff members, as well as providing financial and personnel guidance. Manage annual and long-term personnel planning including recruitment of quality candidates and retention efforts through annual reappointment reviews and reporting accountability. Anticipated Division of Time Program Leadership (35%) Communicate both formally and informally on a regular basis with several regional program Administrative Management Groups (AMGs), CCE Administration Leadership, human resources and financial services support personnel, and academic department liaisons regarding information and issues related to the assurance of quality educational programming, human resources, and financial oversight. Serve as the CCE administrative representative and liaison to each of the regional program AMGs, affecting more than forty local extension offices. Ensure overall consistent interpretation of university and CCE administration policy, processes, and procedures. Serve as the direct supervisor for a team of CCE Extension Associates, Senior Extension Associates, Extension Support Specialists, and administrative staff. Serve as a member of the Director of Extensions Senior Leadership Team, providing overall guidance to Extension Administrations’ efforts to support the CCE system. Programmatic Planning, Development, and Design (30%) Initiate and/or participate in long-term organizational planning discussions as they pertain to program focus, structure, leadership, and management of regional agriculture programs consistent with the mission of CCE and University departments. Provide supervision, training, and ongoing support to regional program team leaders as they facilitate planning to address regional and statewide educational program planning needs. Implement a vision for regional extension programming, as defined by CCE Administration that will enhance program delivery, increase efficiency and be responsive to stakeholder needs. Engage Executive Directors, faculty/departments, regional program staff, and stakeholders in constructive dialogues that champion the values of CCE programming and help promote the long-term sustainability of regional and statewide agricultural extension teams. Financial Oversight (15%) Under the direction of the Director and Associate Director, seek new funding streams via competitive grants and function as liaison with potential funding sources such as the New York Farm Viability Institute, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), etc. Work with faculty on meeting the requirements to include Association staff on proposals and vice versa. Provide leadership and guidance in planning strategies to meet current and future funding needs. Personnel Oversight and Planning (15%) In coordination with CALS HR and regional area team leaders and directors, manage the Academic and Staff recruitment and hiring processes and procedures for all CCE area teams (20-30 annually as the program continues to grow). Coordinate with various Academic departments and faculty members to develop search plans and form Academic search committees. Provide oversight for employee performance management activities including coaching, progressive performance improvement processes, Academic and Staff reappointment review processes, and professional development. Professional Development (5%) Work with supervisors and CALS and CU to identify annual opportunities for professional development, particularly in the areas of leadership, coaching and project management. Requirements Master’s degree in agriculture, business management, or discipline related to position accountability or 10 years of relevant experience. 5+ years of experience with academic institutions, non-profit, informal education, or extension administrative management. Demonstrated ability to work as part of a professional team, promoting cooperation as well as exercising independent judgment. Skills in supervision, coaching, budget development, finance, management, grants and contracts, negotiation, and strategic planning. Excellent project management skills; demonstrated ability in managing projects with numerous stakeholders and collaborators. Utilize technology to create spreadsheets and other analytics and reporting tools. Excellent communications skills, both verbal and written, including program evaluation and impact related documents and developing visual presentations for small and large audiences. Must be able to meet the travel requirements of the position, including having reliable transportation or have an maintain a valid and unrestricted NYS driver's license and be cleared to drive for university business and register through the Agile/Fleet Commander. Proven ability to work as part of a diverse team that includes program, human resources, finance, and other administrative and information technology personnel and faculty on and off campus. Must exercise sound and ethical judgment when acting on behalf of the University. Preferred Qualifications Experience in extension education, applied research and academic writing. PhD or other terminal degree preferred but not required. Working with committees, understanding informal education planning and delivery. Experience, education, and knowledge in an agricultural disciplinary area also highly preferred. Ability to negotiate and forge collaborations among organizations and professionals. Supervision Exercised This position will have supervisory responsibilities for academic and nonacademic positions within the department. Application Process Please apply via Academic Jobs Online: https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/31846 Qualified candidates should submit a short cover letter, curriculum vitae, and contact information for three references via the website. Applications will be reviewed as received, continuing until a suitable applicant is identified. CALS hiring range for this position is $120,000 - $140,000 College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Life. Changing. Cornell University is an innovative Ivy League and Land-grant 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’s regional and global presence includes state-wide Cornell Cooperative Extension programs and offices in all counties and boroughs, global partnerships with institutions and communities engaged in life-changing research and education, the medical college’s campuses on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and Doha, Qatar, and the Cornell Tech campus on Roosevelt Island in the heart of New York City. With a founding principle of “any person, any study,” Cornell is an equal opportunity employer. Employment Assistance For general questions: mycareer@cornell.edu Accommodations: accommodations@cornell.edu EEO Statement Cornell welcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world-class education and career opportunities. No person shall be denied employment based on protected status under applicable law. Notice Date 2026-03-20 If you apply for this position please say you saw it on Bioloxy

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) 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: We believe that achieving next-generation scientific breakthroughs requires an understanding of the world’s complex, interlocking systems. We believe that access to nutritious food and a healthy environment is a fundamental human right. We believe that ensuring a prosperous global future depends on the ability to support local people and communities everywhere. By working in and across multiple scientific areas, CALS can address challenges and opportunities of the greatest relevance, here in New York, across the nation, and around the world.

Position Function

Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) provides the educational outreach functions for Cornell University’s role as New York States Land Grant University. Programmatically, Cornell Cooperative Extension connects the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) and the College of Human Ecology (CHE) with 54 CCE Associations.

The CCE Assistant Director for Agriculture and Food Systems has a critical leadership role under the Associate Dean and Director of CCE. The AD for A&FS provides primary academic leadership and management for the CCE Regional Ag and Food System program, which consists currently of 10 Regional teams, 100+ Cornell employees, and an annual operating budget of 8 million. The AD is responsible for enhancing program delivery, responding to stakeholder needs, and engaging with CCE Executive Directors, CALS Departments, and faculty in Ithaca and Geneva, regional program staff and stakeholders, in constructive dialogue that champions the value of CCE programming and ensures sustainability of regional and statewide teams. The AD seeks new funding streams via competitive grants and function as liaison with potential funding sources such as the New York Farm Viability Institute, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), USDA-NIFA, and others. The AD serves as direct supervisor for a team of CCE Extension Associates, Senior Extension Associates, Extension Support Specialists, and administrative staff members, as well as providing financial and personnel guidance. Manage annual and long-term personnel planning including recruitment of quality candidates and retention efforts through annual reappointment reviews and reporting accountability.

Anticipated Division of Time

Program Leadership (35%)

Communicate both formally and informally on a regular basis with several regional program Administrative Management Groups (AMGs), CCE Administration Leadership, human resources and financial services support personnel, and academic department liaisons regarding information and issues related to the assurance of quality educational programming, human resources, and financial oversight.
Serve as the CCE administrative representative and liaison to each of the regional program AMGs, affecting more than forty local extension offices.
Ensure overall consistent interpretation of university and CCE administration policy, processes, and procedures.
Serve as the direct supervisor for a team of CCE Extension Associates, Senior Extension Associates, Extension Support Specialists, and administrative staff.
Serve as a member of the Director of Extensions Senior Leadership Team, providing overall guidance to Extension Administrations’ efforts to support the CCE system.

Programmatic Planning, Development, and Design (30%)

Initiate and/or participate in long-term organizational planning discussions as they pertain to program focus, structure, leadership, and management of regional agriculture programs consistent with the mission of CCE and University departments.
Provide supervision, training, and ongoing support to regional program team leaders as they facilitate planning to address regional and statewide educational program planning needs.
Implement a vision for regional extension programming, as defined by CCE Administration that will enhance program delivery, increase efficiency and be responsive to stakeholder needs.
Engage Executive Directors, faculty/departments, regional program staff, and stakeholders in constructive dialogues that champion the values of CCE programming and help promote the long-term sustainability of regional and statewide agricultural extension teams.

Financial Oversight (15%)

Under the direction of the Director and Associate Director, seek new funding streams via competitive grants and function as liaison with potential funding sources such as the New York Farm Viability Institute, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), etc.
Work with faculty on meeting the requirements to include Association staff on proposals and vice versa.
Provide leadership and guidance in planning strategies to meet current and future funding needs.

Personnel Oversight and Planning (15%)

In coordination with CALS HR and regional area team leaders and directors, manage the Academic and Staff recruitment and hiring processes and procedures for all CCE area teams (20-30 annually as the program continues to grow).
Coordinate with various Academic departments and faculty members to develop search plans and form Academic search committees.
Provide oversight for employee performance management activities including coaching, progressive performance improvement processes, Academic and Staff reappointment review processes, and professional development.

Professional Development (5%)

Work with supervisors and CALS and CU to identify annual opportunities for professional development, particularly in the areas of leadership, coaching and project management.

Requirements

Master’s degree in agriculture, business management, or discipline related to position accountability or 10 years of relevant experience.
5+ years of experience with academic institutions, non-profit, informal education, or extension administrative management.
Demonstrated ability to work as part of a professional team, promoting cooperation as well as exercising independent judgment.
Skills in supervision, coaching, budget development, finance, management, grants and contracts, negotiation, and strategic planning.
Excellent project management skills; demonstrated ability in managing projects with numerous stakeholders and collaborators.
Utilize technology to create spreadsheets and other analytics and reporting tools.
Excellent communications skills, both verbal and written, including program evaluation and impact related documents and developing visual presentations for small and large audiences.
Must be able to meet the travel requirements of the position, including having reliable transportation or have an maintain a valid and unrestricted NYS driver's license and be cleared to drive for university business and register through the Agile/Fleet Commander.
Proven ability to work as part of a diverse team that includes program, human resources, finance, and other administrative and information technology personnel and faculty on and off campus.
Must exercise sound and ethical judgment when acting on behalf of the University.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in extension education, applied research and academic writing.
PhD or other terminal degree preferred but not required.
Working with committees, understanding informal education planning and delivery.
Experience, education, and knowledge in an agricultural disciplinary area also highly preferred.
Ability to negotiate and forge collaborations among organizations and professionals.

Supervision Exercised

This position will have supervisory responsibilities for academic and nonacademic positions within the department.

Application Process

Please apply via Academic Jobs Online: https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/31846

Qualified candidates should submit a short cover letter, curriculum vitae, and contact information for three references via the website.

Applications will be reviewed as received, continuing until a suitable applicant is identified.

CALS hiring range for this position is $120,000 - $140,000

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Life. Changing.

Cornell University is an innovative Ivy League and Land-grant 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’s regional and global presence includes state-wide Cornell Cooperative Extension programs and offices in all counties and boroughs, global partnerships with institutions and communities engaged in life-changing research and education, the medical college’s campuses on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and Doha, Qatar, and the Cornell Tech campus on Roosevelt Island in the heart of New York City.

With a founding principle of “any person, any study,” Cornell is an equal opportunity employer.

Employment Assistance

For general questions: mycareer@cornell.edu
Accommodations: accommodations@cornell.edu

EEO Statement

Cornell welcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world-class education and career opportunities. No person shall be denied employment based on protected status under applicable law.