Vegetable/Potato Program Assistant

Seasonal Program Assistant needed for Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Suffolk County Vegetable and Potato Program based at the Long Island Horticulture Research and Extension Center, 3059 Sound Ave. in Riverhead. Excellent opportunity to gain hands-on experience in plant agriculture and field research conducted on a diverse set of working vegetable farms. Starting date is May 2026 and ending date is flexible or September 30, 2026. Applicant must be able to work 8am-4:30pm Monday through Friday. Applicants that can work into the fall are preferred.

Job Responsibilities:

• Maintenance of research trials on and off site
• Performs duties including but not limited to planting, weeding, harvesting and lifting of produce.
• Leaf tissue and soil sampling
• Assist with data collection and entry
• Scout farms weekly for insects and diseases and communicate observations with growers
• Install and maintain a sweet corn pest trapping network on cooperating farms
• Report pest occurrences and severity daily to Supervisor
• Maintain program files and records
• Require reliable transportation for regular travel to local farms in Suffolk County

Qualifications:

• High School diploma or equivalency and 6 months volunteer or work experience
• Ability to work outdoors, sometimes in inclement weather, performing various field activities
• High attention to detail
• Ability to understand and implement written and oral instruction
• Must be reliable, with good work ethics
• Ability to complete any given task in an efficient and timely manner
• Must be able to lift 20-50 lbs
• Knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel
• Ability to meet the travel requirements associated with the position; Valid NYS driver’s license and personal vehicle for on-the-job transportation, 3 years driving experience and pass a motor vehicle screening. Mileage reimbursed at Federal rate.

POSITION DETAILS:

Salary: $19-20 per hour

Schedule: NONEXEMPT – TEMP: May 2026 – September 2026

No relocation or VISA Sponsorship available

HOW TO APPLY:

Review of applications will begin immediately. The position will remain open until a qualified pool of candidates is obtained.

Applicants need to:

Attach/upload a resume to the online application in either Microsoft Word or PDF format. Attach/upload a cover letter to the online application in either Microsoft Word or PDF format. Attach/upload contacts info for three references to the online application in either Microsoft Word or PDF format.

In the "Experience" section of your application, use the Paperclip icon to search for file(s) or use the "Drop Files Here" box to manually drag document(s) into your application. Once the application is submitted, you will not be able to change your submission or add attachments.

External Applicants: (including current employees of other Cornell Cooperative Extension Associations), please refer to the

Applying for a Job (External Candidate)

document for additional guidance.

Internal Applicants: Current employees of the Cornell Cooperative Extension Association indicated in this job posting are considered internal applicants; please refer to the

Applying for a Job (Internal Candidate)

document for additional guidance.

The Association may make reasonable accommodations to enable applicants to participate in the hiring process and employees to perform their essential functions. If you require an accommodation to participate in the selection process, you are encouraged to contact Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County Human Resources at (631) 727-7850 or via email at

[email protected]

Cornell is an equal opportunity employer. For more information, visit hr.cornell.edu/eeo.

Job Title:

Association Tmp Program

Level:

No Grade - Hourly

Pay Rate Type:

Hourly

Company:

Contact Name:

Ashley Downs

Cornell Cooperative Extension is a collaboration among Cornell University, the United States Department of Agriculture, the State of New York, and the residents of New York State. Per NYS Law, county and regional extension service associations are subordinate government agencies. This employment opportunity is with the entities listed and not with Cornell University.

Notice to Applicants: Please read the required

Notice to Applicants statement

. This notice contains important information about applying for a position at Cornell Cooperative Extension as well as some of your rights and responsibilities as an applicant.