STUDENT-FWS- Cornell Cooperative Extension Tompkins County

Position Description

              Position Summary

Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) Tompkins County offers a variety of programs and community resources related to 4-H youth programs, agriculture and horticulture, energy and the environment, family and community development, nutrition, health, and other connected topics. Based in the education center at 615 Willow Ave in Ithaca, these programs serve communities across the county, providing information and people that are trusted by the community.

The Outreach and Communications Assistant will support CCE Tompkins by updating, improving, or developing materials intended to engage residents in Tompkins County. As they help to spotlight local composting, green energy collaborations, native plant initiatives, agroforestry education, and other local efforts, they’ll develop their ability to raise awareness, share impactful stories, and increase participation in Extension programs. The experience will be tailored to meet and expand on the education and career goals of the student, and — with guidance and support from admin staff — may include a mixture of writing, interviewing, editing, photography, social media, graphic design, presentation development, and speaking informally with the public at community events.

Work Requirements

• Able (or willing to learn) to develop visual or print materials and adapt them for different audiences or publications
• Able to work independently and set/meet deadlines
• Able to work in a hybrid format, with some time spent in the CCE Tompkins offices and some in the workspace of your choice
• Must have some familiarity and comfort with writing, design, and/or photo editing software
• Must be a good communicator and receptive to feedback

Tasks, Duties, and Responsibilities (TDRs)

The Outreach and Communications Assistant will support the outreach efforts of CCE Tompkins County, planning for both short- and long-term goals. Tasks will include some, but likely not all, of the below examples:

• Researching, conducting interviews, and writing creative articles that promote sustainable choices, family and community health, youth opportunities, and more
• Identifying resources that align with the CCE Tompkins mission, and preparing these to inform the local community
• Collecting material provided by various programs and preparing them for a monthly e-newsletter
• Taking photos at public events, choosing and editing (if needed) those appropriate for the CCE Tompkins photo archives
• Designing posters, flyers, or other materials according to CCE brand guidelines
• Investigating the CCE Tompkins website to make recommendations for content improvements
• Other duties developed in collaboration with the Communications Manager

Candidate Qualifications

• Must be in (or intend to pursue) a major related to communications, writing, art, journalism, or a related field
• Must have an interest in telling stories through words and images
• Must have experience relevant to the role, even if for non-professional purposes
• Must be able to work a portion of the time at CCE Tompkins County’s office
• Ability to work flexible hours (which may include evenings and/or weekends) is preferred
• Experience working in a nonprofit office is beneficial, but not required
• Experience with the Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, Google Suite, and other common design and collaboration programs is preferred.

How to Apply

• Please submit a letter of interest and resume

Pay Rate: 17.00/per hour 

Hiring Manager: Student Employment ([email protected]) 

Ithaca College’s student employment program offers meaningful experiential learning opportunities that develop transferable skills sought by employers across various industries. These positions allow students to apply classroom knowledge in real-world professional settings, fostering both personal and professional growth.

Ithaca College is committed to building a diverse academic community and encourages members of underrepresented groups to apply. Experience that contributes to the diversity of the college is appreciated.

It is advised that applicants apply attaching both a resume and cover letter. Application screening will begin immediately. For assistance with the application process, contact Student Employment at [email protected].

For more information about student employment or specific job inquiries, visit our website or contact the hiring manager listed on the job posting.