OUR ORGANIZATION

Working from a sincere interest in issues of social justice, William Boyce Thompson founded the Boyce Thompson Institute (BTI) in 1924, believing that basic plant research could lead to real societal benefit. BTI’s nineteen faculty-run laboratories and greenhouse facilities are staffed by more than 110 researchers from more than forty countries. The research out of these laboratories has the potential to improve important food crops, demystify plant and human immune systems, and reveal alternative, sustainable sources of energy. The majority of this research is funded through external grant funding.

ABOUT THIS POSITION

The Boyce Thompson Institute (BTI) is seeking an Education and Outreach Coordinator to join the Education and Outreach Team. The E/O Coordinator will support the Education and Outreach Director across a variety of projects and programs. They will play a vital role in using their passion for outreach and science to engage with both external and internal audiences. This position will also use their communication and organizational skills to help prepare students for careers in research, as well as coordinate programming and activities which support the mission of BTI’s Education and Outreach.

For the past 20 years BTI has been coordinating a robust summer research experience for undergraduates and high school students with a goal to broaden participation across the plant sciences. This position would be responsible for managing key aspects of this program, serving various needs of the student population, working closely with faculty and mentors, and cultivating a belonging in STEM for participants.

Based on the needs of this position and high level of interactions with various stakeholders, this position will be full-time and in-person at our Institute. This is an excellent opportunity for a highly motivated professional who wishes to make an impact in a non-profit organization focused on the advancement of scientific discovery in plant biology to improve agriculture, protect the environment, and enhance human health.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Support outreach programming by working directly with communities through engagement with high school teachers, K-12 classrooms, undergraduate groups, or community events;
• Collaborate with the Education and Outreach Director to organize, plan, track, and execute community outreach activities including, but not limited to, online programming, school events, institute training, and community events;
• Manage key aspects of our Research Experience for Undergraduate and High School students at the institute including programming, event set up, food orders, email and calendar communication;
• Manage recruitment, data entry, and communication for the summer application software, including website updates, and email communications to stakeholders and faculty;
• Assist in supporting grants which require classroom kit supplies necessary for outreach efforts including and not limited to email communication, ordering kit supplies, packing and shipping of supplies;
• Liaison with various internal stakeholders including Advancement, Computational Biology Center, HR, Post Graduate Society and the President's Office to support and plan outreach activities that reflect the direction of in the institute's strategic plan;
• Maintain relationships with graduate students and post doctorial students committed to outreach and provide support and guidance for activities they support;
• Support internship participant tracking with Alumni affairs to foster engagement with past contacts;
• Prepare travel authorizations, check requests, reimbursements, credit card statements, and occasionally meeting agendas;
• Evaluate existing processes for potential improvements or changes and make recommendations to for implementation;
• Work occasional weekend and evening hours to staff events or host programs.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

•  Possess a motivated, “self-starter” personality, with the ability to learn and adapt quickly to changing needs.
•  Excellent organizational skills and ability to prioritize work and meet deadlines while balancing multiple priorities and tasks.
•  Ability to work independently to make decisions based on sound judgment. 
•  Ability to communicate (written and verbal) effectively with the BTI and campus community.
•  Demonstrated advanced experience and knowledge of computerized office systems (including Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and experience giving presentations or speaking in public. 
•  Prior relevant work or experience coordinating outreach or public engagement activities in a science field.
•  Previous work experience with K-12 or undergraduate students and/or background in biology is preferred.
• Must be a proactive, energetic, solution-oriented team player.
• Strong project/time management skills and creative problem-solving skills.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Duties and/or responsibilities may be added or deleted, as management deems appropriate requires to meet the strategic mission of the organization.

The work is conducted in an office setting. The work is sedentary with extended periods of sitting with some walking, standing, bending, and carrying or lifting of small items, not to exceed fifty pounds. At times, work beyond typical work hours may be required. A Background check will be required due to the nature of the work interacting with K-12 students and minors.

***To prevent the infection and spread of COVID-19, and as an integral part of its public health and safety measures, BTI requires that all successful applicants shall be required to show proof of full vaccination by an FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccine before beginning employment, unless an exemption from this policy has been granted as an accommodation or otherwise.  Applicants believing they need an accommodation of this policy because of a disability, sincerely-held religious belief, or otherwise should inform Human Resources after an offer of employment is extended; please do not include any medical, genetic, or religious information on your application materials.***

AVAILABLE BENEFITS

• 403(b) retirement
• Health, Dental, and Vison Insurance
• Paid Time Off and Holidays
• Flexible Spending Plan
• Group Term and Supplemental Life Insurance

TO APPLY

Interested candidates should apply following this link, https://btiscience.org/get-involved/careers/. Please be sure to include the following required documents:

• Cover letter
• Resume

The Boyce Thompson Institute provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type in regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. 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 send a request for assistance to btihr@cornell.edu. BTI prides itself on family-friendly policies and is committed to helping its staff achieve career success with an appropriate work-life balance.