Cornell University embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We strongly encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.
EXTENSION ASSOCIATE
Process Authority and Outreach for the Cornell Food Venture Center (CFVC)
CORNELL UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND LIFE SCIENCES
DEPARTMENT OF FOOD SCIENCE
The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We strongly encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.
The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) is a pioneer of purpose-driven science and home to 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. CALS is fundamentally invested in improving the lives of people, their environments and their communities both in New York state and around the world.
POSITION FUNCTION: Currently the CFVC responds to over 3,000 inquiries for assistance every year and assists more than 800 food processors and entrepreneurs that need safety evaluations of over 2,000 specialty products for commercial production. Working in collaboration with the Director and Associate Director of the Cornell Food Venture Center (CFVC), provide extension, education and outreach for food processors and entrepreneurs in New York and the Northeast, increasing knowledge and competence of start-up and established food companies, ensuring the safety of new food products, improving regulatory compliance and creating local economic development. Develop food formulation and processing guidelines for new food products manufactured by small-scale food processors and entrepreneurs, based on current scientific knowledge of critical factors that affect the safety and stability of foods. Evaluate a variety of product formulations and processes for food safety hazards and stability in compliance with state and federal regulations. Act as a Process Authority to write and issue process review letters and scheduled processes for new food products to prevent, control and eliminate food hazards, thus meeting state and federal licensing requirements. Interact with and understand the needs of stakeholders in terms of knowledge gaps and training delivery methods. Work with the Center’s personnel, faculty, staff and students to offer comprehensive technical assistance related to food entrepreneurship. Work with the CFVC leadership to ensure the sustainability of the Center through various funding sources including grants and fees per services and trainings. Identify needs and gaps in existing instructional materials, develop appropriate educational resources, and coordinate communication with stakeholder audiences and Food Science faculty and students. Provide educational content for the CFVC’s website. Present trainings and respond to training needs by developing new resources. Attend and present at professional meetings and sponsored workshops, and forge partnerships with organizations with similar and complementary interests.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. As one of the CFVC’s Process Authorities, develop science-based guidelines for food product categories that meet state and federal regulations. Develop and write process review letters and schedule processes for new food products to ensure their safety and stability (70%).
2. Collaborate with the Directors of the CFVC, Cornell University faculty, staff and stakeholders to identify needs and gaps in existing instructional programs and materials, and develop new or improved educational programs and materials to address those needs and gaps (20%).
4. Represent the FVC at meetings and events, attend and present at professional conferences and workshops, cover topics pertinent to small-scale food processing and regulations (5%).
5. Work with the Directors of the CFVC to ensure the Center’s sustainability (5%).
SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Supervised by the Director of the CFVC, Dr. Olga Padilla-Zakour, to meet program goals and objectives.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED: Supervision of temporary staff and student workers as needed.
QUALIFICATIONS: Minimum of a Master’s Degree in Food Science with 5-10 years of experience in regulatory compliance and safety evaluation of food products. Understanding of food safety, food processing (both small-scale and industrial food production), food preservation, and familiarity with food regulations and licensing issues at the state and federal levels. Recognition by peers as a process authority is highly preferred. Must have excellent communication skills and be willing to work closely with large and small food companies. Demonstrated ability to communicate with a broad range of people and assist them in meeting the challenges and opportunities available in food production. Must have experience in public speaking and writing for general audiences. Demonstrable abilities to organize and oversee complex projects, complete tasks in a timely and effective manner. Demonstrable multi-tasking expertise, human relations skills, and proactive initiative highly preferred. Willingness and ability to travel regionally and nationally as necessary to perform tasks. Must successfully complete a driver background check. Attention to detail as well as excellent analytical and problem-solving skills. Able to work quickly and effectively under pressure, use judgment in accomplishing tasks that are of an urgent or sensitive/confidential nature, balance conflicting priorities and make decisions from a wide range of choices. Should be comfortable working in an environment where change in processes or procedures is the norm.
To apply:
Please apply via Academic Jobs Online (https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/XXXXX).
Qualified candidates should submit a short cover letter, curriculum vitae, contact information for three references, and a statement of contribution to diversity, equity and inclusion via the website.
Applications will be reviewed as received, continuing until a suitable applicant is identified.
CALS hiring range for this title is $56,790 to $75,276
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Life. Changing.
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.
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.
Pay Range:
$46,500.00 - $85,500.00
Pay Ranges:
The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:
As part of the university's comprehensive vaccination program, all Cornell employees are required to have and provide proof of an FDA-or WHO-authorized or approved COVID-19 primary vaccination or have obtained a university-approved disability/medical or religious exemption, regardless of their role and work location.
Employment Assistance:
For general questions about the position or the application process, please contact the Recruiter listed in the job posting or email mycareer@cornell.edu.
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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.
2023-02-14-08:00Cornell 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. With our main campus located in Ithaca, NY, Cornell's far-flung global presence includes the medical college's campuses on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and Doha, Qatar, as well as the Cornell Tech campus located on Roosevelt Island in the heart of New York City.
We offer a rich array of services, programs and benefits to help employees advance in their career and enhance the quality of personal life, including: employee wellness, workshops, childcare and adoption assistance, parental leave, flexible work options.