Climate Jobs Institute, Climate Jobs Associate

Cornell University is seeking a Climate Jobs Associate for the Climate Jobs Institute, focusing on labor, employment, and climate justice. The role involves developing programs, conducting research, and collaborating with labor unions and organizations to support the transition to a clean energy economy. The position can be based in various locations, including remote options within New York State.
Climate Jobs Institute, Climate Jobs Associate

The Climate Jobs Institute is based in New York, NY, within the Cornell University ILR School located at 570 Lexington Ave. Position may be located in New York City, Buffalo, Ithaca, other remote locations in New York State will be considered.

The School of Industrial and Labor Relations at Cornell University has an immediate opening for Climate Jobs Associate - Extension Associates in the Climate Jobs Institute in the NYC Extension/Outreach Division with a focus on the intersection of labor, employment, climate justice and climate change. These positions are responsible for developing and delivering programs and services that are closely aligned with the strategic mission and core values of the ILR School, and for monitoring quality, impact, and outcomes of education, training, technical assistance, consulting and research activities of the program.

Our Team:

The Climate Jobs Institute at Cornell University's ILR School is guiding New York and the nation's transition to a strong, equitable, and resilient clean energy economy that tackles the climate crisis, creates high-quality union jobs, and builds a diverse and inclusive workforce centering frontline communities of color.

Through cutting-edge policy research, deep relationships with on-the-ground partners, and innovative training and education programs, the Institute provides the information that policymakers, the labor and environmental movements, industry leaders and others need to navigate this historic transition to a zero-carbon economy.

The Climate Jobs Institute serves as the academic and educational partner to the Climate Jobs National Resource Center, providing research, policy and educational support to coalitions of unions in numerous U.S. states.

What you will do:

The successful candidates will use research, policy, training and education skills to guide New York's and the nation's transition to a strong, equitable and resilient clean energy economy that tackles the climate crisis, creates high-quality union jobs, confronts race and gender inequality, and builds a diverse and inclusive clean energy workforce centering frontline communities.

Through deep relationships with labor unions and labor allies, Climate Jobs Institute (CJI) studies the labor and employment impacts of the clean energy transition; designs pro-worker, pro-union climate policy; and delivers innovative training and educational programming to unions, policymakers, the environmental movement, industry leaders and others.

Specifically, the Extension Associate will:
• Build strong, trusting relationships with labor unions, especially building trades and energy unions, environmental organizations, elected leaders, and other allies.
• Lead policy and technical research and analysis to design jobs-centered, pro-union and equitable climate policy.
• Plan, organize and implement educational convenings, trips, trainings and workshops based on CJI's research, policy and expertise and the needs of partner organizations.
• Become subject matter experts in the labor and employment impacts of a range of clean energy technologies, including solar, wind, geothermal, hydrogen, building upgrades, low-carbon transportation and more.
• Join a team of talented, hardworking and mission-driven individuals who value CJI's partnerships with unions and labor allies, high-impact work, and building a positive, supportive, joyful and equitable team culture.

Extension Associate is an academic, full-time, non-tenure track, term position with an initial appointment through June 30, 2027. The position may be re-appointed based on recommendations by the appropriate Director and Senior Associate Dean for Outreach and Sponsored Research, as well as available funding and work.

What we need:
• Master's or other advanced degree in related subject matter expertise (industrial and labor relations, social science, labor economics, employment or labor law, workforce development) with relevant expertise related to labor unions, inequality and equity issues, and climate change.
• Candidate should have at least 2 to 4 years of experience working with the labor movement or on climate change with an emphasis on worker, labor or social justice issues.
• Experience and desire to work in a fast-paced, action-oriented research setting.
• Strong skills in written communication, report writing, quantitative, qualitative, and geospatial analysis, and policy research and analysis.
• Comfort and flexibility with working on several research projects simultaneously and supervising research assistants.
• Strong commitment to racial, economic, social, gender and climate justice.
• Ability to work independently and collectively within a team, strong interpersonal communications skills, and a commitment to cultivating a positive, supportive, hardworking and equitable team culture.

You will be a top candidate with our preferred qualifications:
• Five or more years of experience working with the labor movement or on climate change with an emphasis on worker, labor or social justice issues.
• Experience working with two or more of the following functions: worker/union organizing, political organizing, policy/legislation, collective bargaining, collective representation, and leadership development.
• Experience with union pre-apprentice and apprentice training programs and the ability to lead or support diversity, equity, inclusion and justice work.
• Experience with multiple unions and worker organizations. Experience with federated labor bodies, including the national AFL-CIO, State AFL-CIO and/or Central Labor Council/Area Labor Federations.
• Experience partnering with union leaders and staff, legislators and staff, and the environmental and climate movements.
• Experience organizing high-level educational programs including international trips, large conferences, multi-day retreats, and strategic planning efforts.
• Ability to conduct qualitative interviews with labor, industry and governmental officials.
• Ability to manage complex projects with large teams.

ILR School Outreach appreciates employees by providing the opportunity for a 3:2 campus-to-home hybrid schedule.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Salary $75,000 to $89,000 commensurate with experience, qualifications, and location

Cornell appreciates employees with great rewards & benefits:

Cornell provides great benefits that include educational benefits, access to a plethora of wellness programs, employee discounts with local and national retail brands, health care options to choose from, generous paid leave provisions and superior retirement contributions.

To Apply:

Interested parties should submit a vita and letter of application describing qualifications and research agenda, teaching/training experience, and diversity & inclusion statement.

This is an academic, full-time, non-tenure track benefits eligible term opportunity located in New York, NY, within the Cornell University ILR School located at 570 Lexington Ave, or can be based in Buffalo or Ithaca, other remote locations in New York State will be considered.

Pay Range:
Refer to Posting Language

Pay Ranges:

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.
• Academic Discipline
• Unique applicable skills.

Employment Assistance:

Notice to Applicants:

EEEO Statement:

Cornell University's history of diversity and inclusion encourages all students, faculty and staff to support a diverse and inclusive university in which to work, study, teach, research and serve. 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 and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We strongly encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply. Qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRRA) and qualified disabled individuals with disabilities under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act have rights in the application process and in employment under federal law. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.

2025-04-10