Career Center

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 Department of Animal Science offers undergraduate and graduate programs on the biology and management of food, laboratory and companion animal species. Our research programs advance our understanding of animal biology and address local and global issues facing animal industries today. Our goals are to discover and develop new techniques and information to benefit animals, agriculture and human health. Our internationally recognized faculty have diverse interests in animal management, breeding, genetics, physiology, nutrition, growth biology and microbiology.

Cornell University offers several courses that are intensive in terms of hands-on activities in laboratories as well having significant large animal handling and management components. These consist of BIOAP 1100 - Domestic Animal Biology that involves multiple laboratory sections each week taught to about 100 students during the fall semester annually plus the operation of Ezra?s Farm, which is used to teach hands-on management skills of animals; ANSC 2650 - Equine Biology and Management that has one laboratory section each week taught to about 40 students during the fall semester annually; ANSC 2410 - Biology of Reproduction Lab that involves multiple laboratory sections each week taught to about 100 students annually during the spring semester; and ANSC 3450 -- Reproductive Physiology and Management of Dairy Cattle that involves one laboratory section each week taught to about30 students annually during the spring semester. Each course strives to offer the best possible learning experience for each student. In order to do so, a teaching support specialist is responsible for the maintenance and setup of laboratory exercises and coordination of animals and animal handling activities for these courses.

Complete and coordinate training on lab safety and proper handling of chemicals as required by CALS EHS.

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.

Develop course and instructional material and oversee the operations of the teaching laboratories, teaching prep space, associated equipment, ordering, and coordinate usage of equipment and space. Set up laboratories and demonstration materials in physiology courses. Coordinate animal use for biology and management courses. Maintain all lab and study center space in orderly and clean manner. Order all lab and study center supplies and equipment. Attend TA lab training sessions and participate in training of TAs on procedures and equipment. Assist students with demonstration and lab materials. Supervise teaching assistants during lab sessions. Promote cooperation and a welcoming environment for all students. The teaching support specialist will collaborate with fellow Teaching Support Specialists within the department, providing mutual backup and coverage to ensure consistent support and continuity of service. Because activities involving Ezra?s Farm take place 7 days per week during part of the fall semester, employee will at times be required to work flexible hours within the 39-hour work week, including nights and weekends.

Success Factors

• Takes initiative

• Strong Organizational Skills

• Effective Collaborations

• Clear Communication

• Problem Solving

This is a full-time position at 100% FTE for 9 months (August 16 - May 15), part-time at 50% for 3 months (May 16 - August 15). This is a one-year term appointment that is contingent upon available work, funding, and performance.

What We Need

• Bachelors? degree in animal science or physiology with 2-4 years of experience.

• Experience with biology and/or physiology teaching labs, including dissections of vertebrate tissues.

• Experience handing a variety of livestock species including dairy and beef cattle, sheep, swine, horses, and chickens. Must express thoughts clearly, both orally and in writing.

• Excellent planning, organization, time management, and interpersonal skills.

• Must have a working knowledge of Microsoft Office programs.

• Demonstrated ability to develop effective working relationships with students, faculty, and staff who have diverse backgrounds.

• Ability to work in a team setting to create an inclusive, high-quality, and respectful work environment to achieve departmental and university goals.

• Must be able to work independently.

• Must be personable, flexible, and take pride in work.

• Must be able to work occasional evenings and weekends and be able to adapt to changing priorities, situations, and demands.

• Possess the ability to multitask while meeting priorities with high-quality results.

• The ideal candidate will anticipate the needs of supervisors and students and have the initiative to take action. Familiarity with standard laboratory safety practices, waste disposal, and safe handling of hazardous chemicals. Familiarity with animal care, handling, and use guidelines and ability to follow approved protocols.

• Some experience in teaching, instruction, or educational support-whether in formal, informal, or academic settings.

• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members. 

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 with two to three years? job-related experience for teaching component and laboratory operation. Certification in artificial insemination of cattle desired.

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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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:

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• Unique applicable skills

• Academic Discipline

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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.