Teaching Support Specialist I

Teaching Support Specialist I

The Opportunity

As a university founded to be a place where “…any person can find instruction in any study,” inclusion and belonging 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.  Cornell Core values 

As an individual contributor you will model and support a culture of inclusion, belonging, 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. Staff Skills for Success; Leadership Skills for Success

About the College

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.

The position is located within the Section of Horticulture, within the School of Integrated Plant Sciences. This position oversees four online, Distance Learning Courses through the Horticulture Section (Organic Gardening, Intro to Organic Design, Planning a Successful School & Community Gardening Program and Teaching and Learning in the Garden). 

This person will work independently with supervisor’s support to facilitate the four courses. 

This is a part-time position at 50% FTE. This is a one-year term appointment that is contingent upon available work, funding, and performance.

This position is eligible for a remote work arrangement. Employees typically perform this role remotely 5 days per week. The university reserves the right to modify, suspend, revoke, or terminate the remote work arrangement at any time.  The Activities of this position are listed below:

• Keep abreast of and implement best practices for distance learning and Moodle platform to maintain current materials and serve as lead educator for three web-based course module sessions (listed above.) 

• Assist with the recruitment of program participants; cultivate participant engagement and provide participant feedback on assignments; address participants’ content and technology questions daily (checking five to six days per week); and organize evaluation of sessions.

• Hold occasional office hours via Zoom and update content as necessary, such as posting a new video or resources requested by participants. 

• Work with supervisor to review course evaluation and update materials and approaches based on lessons learned to facilitate significant learning experiences among participants. If enrollment does not meet the minimum of 15 participants across three courses, hours per week will be reduced. If enrollment has potential to exceed maximum participants additional hours per week may be added if desired by both employee and supervisor or course will close registration at maximum. 

The instructor will also be responsible for helping edit Moodle courses run by CGBL as needed, including the Cornell Garden-Based Learning Library, and answer questions from CCE educators about these resources.  She will also assist other instructors in editing their Moodle courses as needed.

While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a 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.

This position is based in Ithaca, New York, however, the successful applicant may perform this role remotely anywhere within the New York State. Employees who work remotely may receive multiple W-2 Forms depending on their work location.

The New York Convenience of employer guidelines require New York State individual tax reporting and withholding for this position. Additional individual state income tax filings may also be required if working temporarily outside of New York State.

Relocation assistance will not be provided for this position.

What We Need

• Bachelor’s degree and up to 2 years relevant experience or equivalent combination

• Background in Instructional Design in Online Course Environments (Moodle Platform)

• Background in Organic Gardening, Gardening Design and/or School and Community Garden Management

• Adult teaching or education experience (5+ years), preferably in an online environment

• Attention to detail

• High quality customer service and communication skills (responsive to emails)

• Ability to problem solve independently

• Content knowledge appropriate to topics of the courses

• Experience incorporating the perspectives of multiple communities.

If you have all those things, great! We have a few more things that we would prefer you to have, but it’s ok if you don’t.

• Masters Degree in Instructional Design, with experience creating, editing and instructing through online courses.

Rewards and Benefits

Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, and sustainability.

• Our benefits programs include comprehensive health care options, generous retirement contributions, access to wellness programs, and employee discounts with local and national retail brands. We invite you to follow this link to get more information about our benefits: Understand Your Benefits | Working at Cornell.

• Our leave provisions include health and personal leave, three weeks of vacation and 13 holidays: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, and an end of the year winter break from December 25-January 1. To offer greater flexibility for observing faiths and traditions we also offer two additional floating holidays. Learn more about our generous leave provisions: Holiday and Accrued Time Off | Working at Cornell

• Cornell's impressive educational benefits include tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program, tuition aid for external education, and Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance Program. Learn more about our extensive educational benefits: Education Benefits | Working at Cornell

• Follow this link to learn more about the Total Rewards of Working at Cornell:

Total Rewards | Working at Cornell.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Cornell is an equal opportunity employer. For more information, visit hr.cornell.edu/eeo.

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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 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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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:

Cornell welcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world-class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of “... any person ... any study.” No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, 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.

Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeks job candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We hire based on merit, and encourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply. Consistent with federal law, Cornell engages in affirmative action in employment for qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and qualified individuals with disabilities under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.