Temporary VersaWater Research Operations Coordinator

Temporary VersaWater Research Operations Coordinator

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.

As an individual contributor you will model and support a culture of inclusion, belonging, and well being 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.

Building on our 150-plus-year legacy as one of the nation’s preeminent engineering colleges, the Cornell 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.

Project Description: This position supports a ~$5M initiative, funded by the National Science Foundation through its Convergence Accelerator program, to bring affordable, effective drinking water treatment technology to underserved small communities in the U.S. Known as the VersaWater project, the effort focuses its deployments in Puerto Rico and New York State. The NSF Convergence Accelerator program is designed to move research out of the lab and into real-world use, which aligns closely with Cornell's commitment to ensuring that research delivers positive societal benefit. Led by Cornell, VersaWater brings together a multi-institution consortium, including Syracuse University, the Inter-American University of Puerto Rico, and AguaClara Reach, to address one of the hardest problems in the U.S. water sector: making safe, reliable water treatment work for the small systems under 1,000 people that larger solutions have historically left behind.

The team combines technology deployment, hands-on demonstration plants, student engagement, funding and financing assistance, and hands-on training to support long-term, sustainable operation. A central goal is for the consortium to develop a successful, sustainable business model that allows this work, assisting small drinking water treatment systems, to continue well beyond the life of the grant. It's a collaborative, mission-driven effort at the intersection of engineering, community partnership, and public health.

Description of Duties: The Project Coordinator will assist in the day-to-day operations of the VersaWater initiative, working closely with the PI and Lead Project Manager. Responsibilities include:

• Managing sub-awardee budget tracking, invoicing review, and gathering information for monthly and quarterly reporting to NSF
• Assisting with maintaining project deliverable tracking and coordinating Cornell demo plant logistics
• Supporting detailed scoping for the next $2M in funding
• Assisting the PI and Lead PM with other project deliverables related to business development, stakeholder engagement, and water quality testing. This might look like:
  • Reaching out to Cornell staff and faculty to serve on an advisory board
  • Drafting meeting agendas and discussion topics
  • Managing incoming water quality data from a test site and preparing summary reports for the team
• Assisting with event planning. The PI and Lead PM will set the vision and direction for events, and the coordinator will manage logistics

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in science/engineering, business/management, international/global development, or public health.
• Minimum 4 years working experience managing complex, multi-stakeholder projects.
  • Proven ability to manage timelines, budgets, and deliverables, and track progress effectively.
  • Ability to adapt to evolving project needs and maintain focus on achieving long-term goals.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with experience fostering teamwork, collaboration, and a positive, inclusive work environment – including managing conflict constructively.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences, including community members, donors, and technical experts.
• Comfortable with Microsoft office products and project management software (Microsoft project, Smartsheets, etc)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector and/or U.S. water industry, including processes, regulatory compliance, and funding requirements for implementing water treatment technologies.
• Familiarity with business plan development and entrepreneurship
• Hands-on involvement in science or engineering projects, with the ability to contribute to detailed design discussions and support technical development.
• Coursework or additional degrees in project or engineering management

Duration of employment:

Temporary - 6 months at 20 hours/week.

There are no benefits for this position.

Location: Ithaca, NY - based is preferred. Hybrid.

University Job Title:

Temporary Administrative Professionals - SP

Job Family:

Temporary Administration

Level:

No Grade - Hourly

Pay Rate Type:

Hourly

Remote Option Availability:

Hybrid

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.

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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. 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.