Fruit Field Research Technician (temporary)

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: natural and human systems; food, energy, and environmental resources; and social, physical, and economic well-being.

Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) provides the educational outreach functions for Cornell University’s role as New York State’s Land Grant University. Programmatically, Cornell Cooperative Extension connects the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) and the College of Human Ecology (CHE) with 55 off-campus Associations, Integrated Pest Management, New York State Sea Grant, Area Specialists, and CCE New York City.

The Lake Ontario Fruit Program (LOFP) is one of the premier agricultural extension programs in New York, serving a large multi-county region in the Western part of the state. The team’s Fruit Specialists work together with Cornell faculty and extension educators statewide to address the issues that impact the fruit industry. The LOFP provides research and educational programs and information to growers, processors, and agri-business professionals, arming them with the knowledge to profitably produce and market safe and healthful fruit crops, contributing to the viability of farms and the economic well-being of New York State. Recent advances in digital agriculture (DA) have demonstrated promising tools to various issues faced by the fruit crop industries and attracted considerable attentions from the growers. It is paramount to generate necessary literacy and performance evaluation to facilitate the adoption of these DA tools by NYS stakeholders to further improve the yield, quality, and resilience of fruit crop production and therefore the overall competitiveness and profitability.

Under the direction of regional fruit specialists (Extension Associates), provide technical and program support in carrying out research and outreach that will ultimately enhance the profitability and sustainability of the fruit industry served by the LOFP. Travel to research plots on commercial fruit farms throughout the 5-county region served by the LOFP to assist in set up, data collection and harvest of research trials. Must be able to maintain good records. Work will frequently be performed in commercial fields that have been sprayed with pesticides and will require training in Worker Protection Standards (WPS) to understand the safe field re-entry period and practices. Perform basic data entry and summary. Assist in logistical setup for educational meetings and events throughout the region. Ensure that all protocols and procedures adhere to safety requirements.

This is a six-month appointment (39 hours/week) from April through October with possible extension depending on funding and performance. Working overtime (more than 40 hours/week) can be occasional.

The travel of this position may require a non- traditional workweek consisting of three to four 10 – 13-hour workdays.

This position will be located in Western New York. Fieldwork will be centered in commercial apple orchards in Monroe, Niagara, Orleans, and Wayne counties, as well as Cornell AgriTech in Geneva, New York.