Apply on Employer Site

Cornell University · 13 hours ago

Temporary Communications Assistant

Ithaca, NY

Full-time

Hybrid

Entry Level

$26.89/hr - $29.07/hr

2+ years exp

Cornell University is seeking a Temporary Communications Assistant to support public engagement and outreach through live media and the Bird Cams project. The role involves content management, customer service, and coordination of live programming while fostering a culture of belonging within the team.

BiotechnologyHigher EducationMedicalUniversities

Growth Opportunities

No H1B

Responsibilities

Engage the public in learning more about birds and nature through the live Bird Cams

Connect audiences to the Cornell Lab’s mission and priorities

Serve as the content manager for the Bird Cams enterprise, curating highlights from the live streams and providing multimedia and interpretive updates to relevant social media and websites

Support the growing efforts to produce live programming beyond Bird Cams, helping to schedule speakers, coordinate production needs, and assist during live events

Provide expert customer service, handling questions and viewer feedback in a positive manner through email, telephone, postal mail, print publications, chat, websites, and social media

Develop and disseminate answers to frequently asked questions through website posts, videos, and other channels

Interact with the online communities that engage with us on the various platforms where we post content

Qualification

Expert knowledge of birdsVideoMultimedia skillsContent managementPublic speakingSocial media managementCustomer serviceResourcefulnessEmpathyInclusion valuesIndependent thinkingJudgmentOrganizational skillsInterpersonal skillsPositive attitudeTeam collaborationFriendly communicationAdaptabilityProblem-solvingAttention to detailCollaboration

Required

Associate's degree and 2-4 years relevant experience or equivalent combination

Excellent communication skills, including written, verbal, and interpersonal skills; friendly and courteous manner

Expert knowledge of the natural history and behavior of birds

Ability to write and speak professionally and accurately, using simple, friendly language accessible to all. Resourceful, independent thinker willing to seek information from experts and scientific literature

Excellent customer service, positive attitude, and ability to cultivate support for the Lab. Positive and helpful when responding to people with complaints

Prior experience developing and managing content for distribution on various social media platforms

Strong judgment about when to answer questions directly and when to seek answers from the Lab's staff

Confidence in public speaking and in dealing with challenging and/or complex topics. Ability to discern the sensitivity of internal/external communications in a large public organization

Strong organizational skills. Ability to respond quickly and prioritize multiple tasks

Proficient in Word, Excel, video and image editing suite (e.g. Adobe Creative Cloud Suite, Canva)

Experience modeling values that support inclusion, belonging, and wellbeing

Preferred

BA degree in Communications or Education with relevant experience or course work in biology, or BS degree in Biology with relevant experience in Public Relations, Communications, or Education

Prior experience as public information specialist or naturalist focused on bird-related topics highly desired

Prior work experience with a not-for-profit or PR organization is valuable

Proficiency with web content management and/or WordPress is an asset

Cultivation and remote administration of volunteers is highly useful

Experience assisting in the production of live online events