Coordinator for Bird Safety

The Opportunity 

The Coordinator for Bird Safety combines project coordination, communications, outreach, and partnership development to advance efforts that reduce bird mortality from preventable human-caused threats and other threats. As a member of the Center for Engagement in Science and Nature at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the coordinator will work with Lab staff and a diverse network of nonprofit, government, academic, and business partners to support bird-safe initiatives across North America. 

The coordinator will serve as a key point of contact for bird-safe programs, helping to coordinate projects, partnerships, events, and communications that inspire individuals, communities, and organizations to adopt bird-safe practices.

This role will manage outreach resources, support public engagement campaigns, coordinate partner activities, and translate research and best practices into accessible tools and resources that drive conservation impact. 

This full-time position is a one-year term appointment that is contingent upon available work, funding, and performance.

Submission of both a cover letter and resume is required for consideration for this position. 

Responsibilities:  

• Coordinate bird-safe projects and initiatives across internal teams and external partners. 

• Organize meetings, document action items, and track project deliverables 

• Support planning and logistics for conferences, summits, workshops, and partner events. 

• Track project progress and prepare summaries, reports, white papers, and other deliverables  

• Coordinate the creation, organization, and distribution of educational and outreach materials 

• Manage and maintain public-facing bird-safe communications, including websites, email communications, and outreach materials 

• Respond to inquiries from the public, partners, and stakeholders, serving as a key point of contact for bird-safe initiatives 

• Develop and disseminate educational content, toolkits, presentations, conference materials, and outreach resources 

• Represent bird-safe initiatives at conferences, workshops, community events, and campus programs 

• Translate scientific research and technical information into clear, engaging communications for diverse audiences 

• Build and maintain relationships with conservation organizations, community groups, businesses, government agencies, and industry partners 

• Support the development of collaborative resources, best practices, and implementation guides for target audiences 

• Coordinate partner activities and identify opportunities to expand conservation impact through strategic collaboration, facilitating communication and information-sharing among the Bird Collision Prevention Alliance and other partner networks 

About the Department: 

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is the world's leading resource for conservation, research, education, and participatory science focused on birds. The Lab’s Center for Engagement in Science and Nature (CESN) activates and supports people worldwide to connect with birds and nature, participate in science, and promote the wellbeing of humans and natural systems. Recognizing that one of our significant strengths is the collective power of the people we engage, we work across disciplines to design opportunities that inspire people to contribute to science and become advocates for life on earth. 

What We Need 

• Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent in biology, environmental science, communications, policy, education, social science, or other relevant fields and 2 to 4 years of experience in stakeholder engagement, network building, or project coordination or equivalent combination.  

• Basic knowledge of bird conservation, ornithology, and the major anthropogenic threats to birds (collisions, light pollution, free-roaming cats, pesticides, habitat loss). 

• Excellent organizational, time management skills, strong communication skills with the ability to tailor messages to various audiences 

• Ability to manage competing demands and work effectively and collaboratively with diverse partners sharing different perspectives: experience in and/or demonstrated commitment to supporting diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and wellbeing 

• Must have a record of successfully meeting schedules and milestones of projects involving multiple and diverse stages, participants, and stakeholders 

• Demonstrated record of success managing multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines simultaneously 

• Experience with formal and informal science education, and/or public outreach.  

• Experience managing digital communications and social media platforms such as Twitter/X and Instagram 

• Mastery of standard office management (e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc) and communication software (e.g. Slack) required 

• Ability to obtain and maintain a valid passport and driver’s license and be able to travel 

• Must be strongly motivated, able to think critically, and make a positive contribution to the Cornell Lab’s mission 

• Passionate about working in an organization that values and promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, anti-racism, and wellbeing 

The position also requires some travel for conferences, meetings, presentations, and partner engagement activities. 

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. 

• Master’s degree or background in biology, environmental science, communications, policy, education, social science, or other relevant fields.  

• Advanced knowledge and multiple years of experience managing complex or multi-stakeholder projects.  

• Knowledge of birds’ life history, including behavior and migration.  

• Experience in writing grant proposals and reports, and previous experience with the preparation of scientific manuscripts.  

• Experience creating data visualizations or communicating data to non-technical audiences. 

• Experience mentoring and advising volunteers and undergraduate students.  

• Familiarity with policy development and advocacy related to environmental issues. 

Rewards and Benefits  

• This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement. Employees typically perform this role remotely 2 days per week and on-campus 3 days per week. The university reserves the right to modify, suspend, revoke or terminate the hybrid work arrangement at any time. 
   

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. 

University Job Title:

Extension Supp Spec I

Job Family:

Academic Support

Level:

E

Pay Rate Type:

Salary

Pay Range:

$65,447.00 - $72,994.00

Remote Option Availability:

Hybrid

Company:

Contract College

Contact Name:

Freddie Salley

Contact Email:

[email protected]

Job Titles and Pay Ranges:

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• Unique applicable skills

• Academic Discipline

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2026-09-21