Temporary Project Associate – Cornell University’s School of Civil and Environme

Who We Are

Building on our 150-plus-year legacy as one of the nation’s preeminent engineering colleges, the Cornell David A. Duffield College of Engineering is a purpose-driven, inclusive community committed to developing the knowledge, capabilities, and people needed to forge a better future. Comprising more than 10 schools and departments, we are rooted in Ithaca, New York, with a growing presence in New York City and a global network of alumni and collaborators. Guided by our core values, our faculty and staff regularly engage across disciplines and intentionally bring together a range of perspectives as they lead and support ambitious efforts to tackle societal challenges, develop the next generation of leaders, and make a meaningful difference in the world.

What You Will Do

This is a part time, one-year fixed term position with the possibility of renewal based on available funding, performance, and business needs.

Overview: DARE (Dynamic Atlas of Riverine Ecosystems and Infrastructure) is a five-year, multi-institutional research effort, led by Cornell University and funded by Schmidt Sciences through the VIEW program. The project integrates advances in global hydrology, sediment transport, freshwater ecology, remote sensing, water management, and uncertainty analysis to reconstruct the operations of hydraulic infrastructure systems at the global scale, and then quantify its impacts on river discharge, sediment transport, water temperature, and biodiversity. Through these efforts, DARE will develop the first global dataset of time-series data on the past and present evolution of riverine systems under human influence. While the approach is global, the project also focuses on two sentinel sites (Amazon and Mekong) for data and model validation, as well as policy development.

Given the scale and collaborative nature of the initiative, we are seeking a part-time Project Associate to support coordination, communication, and reporting across the consortium. This role will be scheduled to work 13-14 hours per week. The role focuses on maintaining continuity, organizing information, and preparing materials in draft form for the Lead PI, PIs, and project team.

Key Responsibilities

Project Coordination (30%)

• Attend PI and project meetings; prepare clear, concise meeting notes and circulate them promptly

• Track action items and follow up with team members to support timely progress

• Provide gentle, consistent reminders to ensure alignment with agreed timelines and deliverables

Project Communications (25%)

• Prepare and circulate monthly project digests, summarizing key updates, milestones, and upcoming activities

• Collect and organize inputs from project partners and synthesize them into structured drafts

Website & Documentation (30%)

• Develop and maintain a project website (e.g., GitHub Pages or similar platform)

• Ensure content (team information, outputs, updates) is current and well organized

• Maintain shared folders and project documentation in a clear and accessible structure

Reporting (15%)

• Assist in the preparation of mid-year and annual reports, including coordination of inputs across teams and supporting financial reporting

• Maintain an up-to-date overview of project expenditures, tracking budgets and expenses in coordination with the Lead PI

Working Style and Expectations

• The Project Associate will work closely with the Lead PI and PIs, particularly in the initial phase, with increasing autonomy over time

• The role emphasizes preparation of well-structured drafts (e.g., web pages, monthly digests), which are then reviewed and finalized by the Lead PI

• The time commitment is up to ~33% annually (approximately 4 months per year) and is variable throughout the year, with expected periods of higher intensity (e.g., reporting and review milestones)

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., environmental science, engineering, public policy, or related discipline)

• Experience in project coordination or management, preferably in academic or research settings

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail

• Clear and concise writing ability, with experience preparing summaries or structured documents

• Ability to manage tasks across multiple stakeholders and follow through independently

Preferred

• Experience supporting research projects or grant-funded initiatives

• Familiarity with collaborative tools (e.g., Google Workspace, GitHub, project management platforms)

• Basic experience with website maintenance

Compensation

$32.27 Hourly

Important Notes about Applying

• A cover letter and resume outlining your interest and how your experience and goals align with the potential for mutual success in the role are required for full consideration.

• This position is based in Ithaca, New York, however, the successful applicant may perform this role remotely anywhere within the United States. 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. The university reserves the right to modify, suspend, or terminate the remote or hybrid work arrangement at any time

• There is no relocation assistance available for this position

• There is no visa sponsorship available for this position

• This role is not benefits eligible

University Job Title:

Job Family:

Level:

Pay Rate Type:

Pay Range:

Remote Option Availability:

Company:

Contact Name:

Contact Email:

Job Titles and Pay Ranges:

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.

Current Employees:

If you currently work at Cornell University, please exit this website and log in to Workday using your Net ID and password. Select the Career icon on your Home dashboard to view jobs at Cornell.

Online Submission Guidelines:

Most positions at Cornell will require you to apply online and submit both a resume/CV and cover letter. You can upload documents either by “dragging and dropping” them into the dropbox or by using the “upload” icon on the application page. For more detailed instructions on how to apply to a job at Cornell, visit How We Hire on the HR website.

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.

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 contact Cornell Office of Civil Rights at voice (607) 255-2242, or email at accommodations@cornell.edu.

Applicants that do not have internet access are encouraged to visit your local library, or local Department of Labor. You may also request an appointment to use a dedicated workstation in the Office of Talent Attraction and Recruitment, at the Ithaca campus, by emailing mycareer@cornell.edu.

Notice to Applicants:

Please read the required Notice to Applicants statement by clicking here. This notice contains important information about applying for a position at Cornell as well as some of your rights and responsibilities as an applicant.

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.