Temporary Grounds Worker – Lab of Ornithology

   

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.

Cornell Lab of Ornithology – Temporary Grounds Worker

Ithaca, NY

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is the world’s leading resource for conservation, research, education, and citizen science focused on birds. The Lab is a vibrant unit within Cornell’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS), where full-time faculty and many other renowned professionals direct world-class, mission-driven programs.

What You Will Do

The Lab of Ornithology is seeking a Temporary Grounds Worker to assist in maintaining the 590+ acres in Tompkins County and Sapsucker Woods Sanctuary. This includes around 5 miles of walking trails, ponds, wetlands, and specialized bird feeding gardens. This unique natural environment is utilized by over 60,000 visitors annually and requires specialized and detailed care.

Key responsibilities of the Temporary Grounds Worker:

• Lawn mowing, trailing trimming, spreading wood chips, removing beaver dams, and assisting other team members when necessary.

• Performs manual labor and independently operates light equipment for general landscape maintenance and/or landscape construction tasks, including trail maintenance, plant maintenance, litter control, beaver dam removal, and other duties.

• Promptly reports unsafe conditions or damage to campus landscape, equipment, or facilities.

• Safely operates hand and self-propelled equipment and tools including string trimmers, walk behind mowers, pole saws, blowers, hedge trimmers, rakes, shovels, and tractors/utility vehicles to achieve required landscape standards.

This position is subject to shift changes which may include early mornings and weekends to meet seasonal work demand. May encounter animals. May be exposed to bees/stings, other environmental allergens, and seasonal weather conditions.

This is a full time, 39 hours a week, 8-month position (April through November). Position may require adjusted schedule (weather dependent) to meet business needs.

What We Need from You

• High School education or equivalent.  Landscape maintenance or related field experience preferred but not mandatory.

• Considerable knowledge of and ability to use numerous tools and equipment for building/grounds maintenance.

• At least 1 year of proven experience working with tractors, chainsaws, mowers, weed eaters, ATV’s, rakes, shovels. 

• Must possess and maintain a valid NYS driver’s license and able to drive standard vehicles.

• May be required to operate a motor vehicle (your own vehicle or Cornell-owned) to travel to and from job sites.

• Ability to work comfortably and safely on 10’-12’ stepladders, and 24’ extension ladders.

• Knowledge of job-related safety procedures.

• Must be able to perform heavy lifting.

• Basic computer skills required.

• Must be able to work independently and as part of a team while meeting tight deadlines. 

• Motivated and takes initiative to be proactive.

• Experience that demonstrates sound judgment, creativity, time management, and problem-solving skills to ensure a safe and efficient work environment.

• Must have the ability to work well within a team.

• Ability to work early shifts and weekends as needed.

• Gloves, safety glasses and face guards are provided as needed. Safety shoes will be provided.

• Must be comfortable working in an environment where change in process is the norm and be a creative problem solver.

• Must be flexible, open, and receptive to new ideas and approaches and have the ability to handle multiple tasks and priorities. 

• Must be able to work well and communicate respectfully with people from very diverse backgrounds.

• Must be able to foster and maintain excellent working relationships with the Lab and Cornell communities which includes coworkers, collaborators, students, visitors, and customers from very diverse cultural and educational backgrounds. This requires approaching all matters with an open mind, sense of curiosity, service-minded attitude, tact, and diplomacy.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Formal training in equipment operation or ornamental horticulture helpful.

• Previous safety training or ability to complete within 1 month of hire.

Your Total Rewards

Compensation for this position is $20.95 per hour.

Cornell provides great benefits that include educational benefits, access to a plethora of wellness programs, employee discounts with local and national retail brands, health care options to choose from, generous paid leave provisions: 3 weeks of vacation leave, health and personal leave, 13 paid holidays (including end of year winter break through New Year’s Day), educational benefits, and superior retirement contributions.

Top 10 Benefits Cornell Employees Love !

Visa sponsorship is not 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 .

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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.  

   

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University Job Title:

Temporary Grounds/Maintenance Worker

Job Family:

Temporary Facilities & Safety Services

Level:

No Grade – Hourly

Pay Rate Type:

Hourly

Pay Range:

Refer to Posting Language

Remote Option Availability:

Fully Onsite

Company:

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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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 [email protected] .

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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.

2024-02-06