Communication Specialist III

Communications Specialist III - CALS - Department of Global Development

Full-time, 1 year term position)

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Cornell University

Ithaca, New York

Culture of Inclusion and Community Standards

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.

As an individual contributor you will model and support a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and wellbeing and continually seek to understand how your role, behaviors, and actions impact the success of this culture.

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. ;

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (Cornell CALS) is a pioneer of purpose-driven science and Cornell University’s second largest population of students, faculty and staff. 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 : natural and human systems; food, energy and environmental resources; and social, physical and economic well-being.

Department Background

Global Development confronts the most urgent and complex challenges facing people and the planet. We are an integrated, multidisciplinary community of scholars and practitioners collaborating with a global network of partners to provide deep analysis and transformative solutions. By uniting critical scholarship and practice at the intersections of agricultural, environmental, life, and social sciences, we advance a more equitable, sustainable, and food-secure world for all.

What You Will Do

While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a psychologically healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work / life integration of oneself and others.

The successful applicant will lead department communication needs for both internal and external audiences and be part of a team that designs and executes strategic communications in support of the department and its academic programs, the Polson Institute for Global Development, the Humphrey Fellows Program, LeadNY, the Cornell Farmworker Program, the Community Learning and Service Partnership (CLASP), the Education Minor, and the MPS program. Strengths in writing and a robust knowledge of content creation for web and social media platforms are key aspects of the job. Responsibilities include writing short- and long-form content for multiple platforms; producing newsletters for multiple audiences; maintaining Drupal and WordPress content management systems; tracking analytics; coordinating the production and sharing of content between partners; driving strategic initiatives related to GDEV programs and institutes; and developing creative outreach and marketing materials.

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. Communication services are carried out through a matrixed organizational system in which University Relations houses the departments of News (Cornell Chronicle), Media Relations (pitching and servicing media requests), Brand (, multimedia production, brand management and governance), Strategic Communications (communications plans, key messaging, social media management), and Cornellians (digital alumni publication). Communicators in colleges, schools, and units regularly collaborate with, and consult, University Relations departments. University Relations serves as a partner and resource for all college / unit communicators.

This is a full-time, 40 hours per week appointment located in Ithaca, New York. This is a one-year term appointment with renewal contingent upon available work, funding and performance.

This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement. Employees typically perform this role remotely 1 day per week and on-site 4 days per week. The university reserves the right to modify, suspend, revoke, or terminate the hybrid work arrangement at any time.

Visa Sponsorship in not available for this position.

Relocation assistance will not be provided for this position.

What We Need

• Bachelor’s degree and 3 to 5 years of relevant experience or equivalent combination.
• Experience in writing and publishing across various digital media and print platforms.
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive and equitable working relationships with students, faculty, staff, community members, vendors and partners.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, in areas such as event and workshop presentations, social media, business reports and grant writing.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate with diverse audiences through multiple channels and platforms.
• Mastery of technical skills including Word, Excel, Access, SmartSheets, WordPress, email communication (e.g. MailChimp), social media platforms, Box, Google Drive, G4 Analytics, and other commonly used digital tools.
• Experience with digital dashboards and social media analytics.
• Experience that demonstrates sound judgment, creativity, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently while supporting the efforts of an overall team.
• Strong organizational and time management skills with aptitude to track, perform, and multi-task in a deadline-driven environment.
• Ability and commitment to exercise sound and ethical judgment when acting on behalf of the department and Cornell University.
• Experience working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Preferably, the successful candidate will also have the following :

A cover letter and resume are required for further consideration for this position.

Rewards and Benefits

Competitive compensation, generous time-off, and great benefits.

University Job Title :

Communication Spec III

Job Family :

Communications / Marketing

Level : Pay Rate Type :

Salary

Pay Range :

74,026.00 - $86,030.00

Remote Option Availability :

Hybrid

Company : Contract College

Contact Name : Tamara Shollenberger

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

To learn more about Cornell’s non-union staff job titles and pay ranges, see .

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 .

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Employment Assistance :

For general questions about the position or the application process, please contact the Recruiter listed in the job posting or email .

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 .

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 .

Notice to Applicants :

Please read the required Notice to Applicants statement by . 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.

2025-01-30

Salary : $74,026 - $86,030