Temporary Technical Project Manager: Water Treatment & Community Development

• As a university founded to be a place where "...any person can find instruction in any study," diversity and inclusion 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. Cornell Core values

As a people manager and university leader you will model and support a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and well being by fostering an environment where everyone has the ability to thrive and navigate work and life's challenges because they feel like they belong and have the tools and support they need.

While position responsibilities vary greatly, the Skills for Success and Leadership Skills for Successare foundational to what is expected ofevery employee and leader working at Cornell. These skills are essential for individual and organizational success. Staff Skills for Success; Leadership Skills for Success

While position responsibilities vary, all people leaders are expected to foster a culture of belonging and a psychologically healthy work environment by being trustworthy; respecting all individuals; being flexible; supporting work/life integration as well as healthy boundaries; inviting new ideas, alternatives, and perspectives; speaking up and taking action if others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and recognizing the contributions of others.

Campus Collaboration: The Project Manager will work closely with stakeholders across multiple university campuses to ensure regular consistent communication and alignment on project goals and vision. This role requires fostering strong relationships, coordinating resources, and facilitating cross-campus initiatives that will result in the various university team members working together as one team.

Success Factors:

• Effective Communication: All key stakeholders feel informed and aligned on project objectives, timelines, and deliverables.

• Strong Relationships: Established trust and productive partnerships with key campus representatives and departments.

• Seamless Coordination: Resources, schedules, and activities are efficiently organized across campuses to minimize delays and conflicts.

• Achievement of Goals: Cross-campus projects are completed on time, within scope, and meet or exceed expectations.

• Resolution of Challenges: Identified and addressed inter-campus challenges proactively, ensuring a smooth path to success.

The Project Manager, in collaboration with the Principal Investigator, is responsible for fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and growth-oriented work environment that encourages teamwork, supports individual development, and ensures all team members feel valued and aligned toward achieving the project's goals. This work is part of the National Science Foundation's Convergence Accelerator Program which is focused on sustainability and national-scale impact. At the end of the fixed three-year term, teams are expected to provide high-impact deliverables that bring research off the shelves for positive societal impact. This project is within NSF's Equitable Water Solutions Track.

The Project Manager, over the next three years, is responsible for...

• Refining the implementation process for delivering high-quality water treatment systems to under served small communities through a previously developed implementation pilot process. This work includes coordinating collaboration among numerous stakeholders (academia, industry, non-profit, etc) to refine the implementation framework, which involves providing community planning support, securing funding connections for, and deploying effective water treatment technologies. The majority of the work will take place in Puerto Rico and New York State.

• Developing with the team a sustainable business plan to continue these efforts beyond the project's scope by engaging with business leaders and other partners.

• Contribute to the scientific and engineering development of the water treatment technologies, including participating in design discussions on automated coagulant dosing and other conventional treatment processes. Additionally, the Project Manager will assist in advising engineering students involved in related projects.

• Developing and maintaining project plans, tracking and monitoring deliverables, managing budgets, coordinating team meetings, documenting and reporting progress, overseeing compliance, identifying and mitigating risks, coordinating with stakeholders, and refining workflows for improved efficiency.

• Participating in the National Science Foundation's Convergence Accelerator Innovation Curriculum focused on enhancing Team Science, Human Centered Design, and Communications and Marketing.

Strong knowledge of the U.S. water industry, water treatment design, funding requirements, and community engagement practices, along with excellent interpersonal skills and cross-cultural experience, are essential to succeed in this role.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Demonstrated skill in understanding of cultural differences.

• Proven experience connecting diversity, inclusion, and wellbeing practices to business goals.

• Specify minimum education and experience equivalency

• A four-year bachelor's degree in science/engineering, business, or international/global development.

• A master's degree in science/engineering, business, or international/global development.

• 3 years working experience in the water industry or adjacent field as an engineer, project coordinator/manager, community engagement specialist or similar.

• Includes experience managing complex, multi-stakeholder projects involving diverse cultural perspectives.

• Comfortable with Microsoft office products and project management software (Microsoft project, smartsheet, etc)

• Ability to travel up to 25% of the time.

OR

• A four-year bachelor's degree in science/engineering, business, or international/global development.

• 5-7 years working experience in the water industry or adjacent field as an engineer, project coordinator/manager, community engagement specialist or similar.

  Includes experience managing complex, multi-stakeholder projects involving diverse cultural perspectives.

Additional Requirements

• Comfortable with Microsoft office products and project management software (Microsoft project, smartsheet, etc)

• Ability and willingness to travel up to 25% of the time, includes international travel.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience managing complex, multi-stakeholder projects, particularly those with a focus on community engagement or underserved populations.

• Background in science, engineering, business, or international/global development, with a strong understanding of relevant technical concepts.

• Familiarity with the U.S. water industry, including processes, regulatory compliance, and funding requirements for implementing water treatment technologies.

• Proven ability to develop and maintain detailed project plans, manage timelines, budgets, and deliverables, and track progress effectively.

• Strong interpersonal skills, with experience fostering teamwork, collaboration, and a positive, inclusive work environment.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences, including community members, donors, and technical experts.

• Experience engaging with under served or disadvantaged communities, with knowledge of best practices for community involvement and planning.

• Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, including risk assessment and mitigation planning.

• Familiarity with business plan development and experience in working with donors and business leaders to secure funding or support.

• Hands-on involvement in science or engineering projects, with the ability to contribute to detailed design discussions and support technical development.

• Experience mentoring or supervising students or early-career professionals on project development.

• Ability to adapt to evolving project needs and maintain focus on achieving long-term goals.

• Medium to advanced fluency in Spanish

University Job Title:

Job Family:

Level:

Pay Rate Type:

Pay Range:

Remote Option Availability:

Company:

Contact Name:

Contact Email:

Job Titles and Pay Ranges:

Non-Union Positions

Noted pay ranges reflect the potential pay opportunity for each job profile. 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

• Unique applicable skills

• Academic Discipline

To learn more about Cornell's non-union staff job titles and pay ranges, see Career Navigator.

Union Positions

The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined in accordance with the rates in the respective collective bargaining agreement. To learn more about Cornell's union wages, see Union Pay Rates.

Current Employees:

If you currently work at Cornell University, please exit this website and log in to Workday using your Net ID and password. Select the Career icon on your Home dashboard to view jobs at Cornell.

Online Submission Guidelines:

Most positions at Cornell will require you to apply online and submit both a resume/CV and cover letter. You can upload documents either by "dragging and dropping" them into the dropbox or by using the "upload" icon on the application page. For more detailed instructions on how to apply to a job at Cornell, visit How We Hire on the HR website.

Employment Assistance:

For general questions about the position or the application process, please contact the Recruiter listed in the job posting or email mycareer@cornell.edu.

If you require an accommodation for a disability in order to complete an employment application or to participate in the recruiting process, you are encouraged to contact Cornell Office of Civil Rights at voice (607) 255-2242, or email at accommodations@cornell.edu.

Applicants that do not have internet access are encouraged to visit your local library, or local Department of Labor. You may also request an appointment to use a dedicated workstation in the Office of Talent Attraction and Recruitment, at the Ithaca campus, by emailing mycareer@cornell.edu.

Notice to Applicants:

Please read the required Notice to Applicants statement by clicking here. This notice contains important information about applying for a position at Cornell as well as some of your rights and responsibilities as an applicant.

EEO Statement:

Cornellwelcomes 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 seeksjob candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. Wehire based on merit, andencourage 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.