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CROPPS DEI Specialist
Coord Programs II
Center for Research on Programmable Plant Systems (CROPPS)

   

Department Mission and Background Information

The Office of the Vice Provost for Research and Innovation (OVPRI) enables and advances Cornell’s research priorities, including research activities of Cornell colleges, schools, research centers, institutes, and laboratories. The OVPRI advocates for researchers within the university, supports specialized research facilities and services for researchers, provides campus-wide research administrative support services, and facilitates major interdisciplinary research initiatives.  

The Center for Research on Programmable Plant Systems (CROPPS) is an NSF Science and Technology Center that is administered under the OVPRI. CROPPS has a mission to develop new technologies that can be used to create a two-way communication system with plants and their associated organisms for the benefit of scientific research, industry and agriculture.  Alongside research, CROPPS pursues related and complementary initiatives in education, public communication, and diversity, equity and inclusion. CROPPS aims to create an inclusive environment for productive collaboration across disciplines, titles (faculty, students, and staff), and personal identities. The Center aims to develop and implement best practices in Team Science for the pursuit of these goals. The Center has a five-year award at $5M per year, for a total of $25M, through September 30, 2026; the award is renewable for an additional five years.  CROPPS currently involves faculty from three colleges at Cornell (CALS, CIS, and COE) and has three partner institutions (Boyce Thompson Institute (BTI), University of Arizona (UA), and University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (UIUC). The Center, led by four Theme groups of ~eight research leaders, funds approximately fifty research projects annually, which includes ~32 faculty investigators (CROPPS Project PIs), and ~67 student (PhD, postdoc, and small number of undergraduates) trainees associated with funded projects.

Job Advertisement

CROPPS seeks a DEI Specialist who will report to both the CROPPS Managing Director and the Associate Director for Diversity & Inclusion, working closely with the rest of the CROPPS leadership. The CROPPS DEI Specialist will partner with the Associate Director to plan, coordinate, execute, and document initiatives for growing diversity in the graduate student, undergraduate student, postdoctoral and faculty populations participating in CROPPS. The CROPPS Diversity Specialist will manage and track day-to-day outreach, recruitment, and retention efforts. They will communicate with CROPPS partner institutions’ offices of student disability, diversity and inclusion, and counseling services (or equivalent) to ensure that all necessary accommodations are made to provide equal opportunities and resources to CROPPS students. They will coordinate visits, events, and activities that support the development of long-term relationships with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs). They will serve as a resource linking CROPPS participants with groups and programs that support informal and formal professional mentorship training for undergraduate students, graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, and faculty. Finally, they will compile materials and write content for the NSF annual report and for evaluation by advisory groups.

Project terms on 9/30/2026 with the possibility of a five-year renewal.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

Individuals considering this position should have a bachelor’s degree and 3 to 5 years relevant experience or equivalent combination.  Individual must be a strong communicator; someone who can perform independently; and they must be a skilled team collaborator.  It is required the individual be able to communicate with and serve a diverse population of individuals spread across multiple states. The individual must be adaptable, flexible, and service-oriented, work well under pressure, and maintain an attention to detail at all times.  They must possess the capacity to maintain confidentiality of staff and student sensitive data.  Some background and prior experience in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion issues.

Individuals with a master’s degree and 3 to 5 years relevant experience or equivalent combination, with significant background and prior experience in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion issues would be desirable.

It is preferred that the individual work on-campus or hybrid, but remote candidates will be considered.

For full consideration, please attach both a resume and cover letter to your application.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

  

University Job Title:

Coord Program II

Job Family:

Student Services

Level:

F

Pay Rate Type:

Salary

Pay Range:

$62,876.00 - $73,072.00

Company:

Endowed

Contact Name:

Shannon Spencer

Number of Openings:

1

Job Titles and Pay Ranges:

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.

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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, Protected Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations. Cornell University is an innovative Ivy League 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.

2022-10-20-07:00