The Research Foundation for the State University of New York
at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
1 Forestry Drive, Syracuse, New York 13210-2778
Vacancy posted August 11th, 2026
Title: Research Support Specialist
Location: Newcomb, NY
Duration: 1 year starting approximately October 2026 with possible extension
Salary: $60,000-$65,000 salaried position, depending on experience
College of Environmental Science and Forestry Job Posting: Research Foundation - Research Support Specialist AEC Newcomb Campus
Application Deadline: Although applications will be accepted until the position is filled, candidates should submit their application through ESF's website by September 8th, 2026. to assure optimal consideration.
***Application materials are required to be submitted on-line. Submit a cover letter, a resume, and contact information for three references online at http://www.esf.edu/hr/
APPLY HERE / APPLICATIONS CANNOT BE ACCEPTED THROUGH HANDSHAKE:
College of Environmental Science and Forestry Job Posting: Research Foundation - Research Support Specialist AEC Newcomb Campus
Background: The primary purpose of this position is to assist Adirondack Ecological Center (AEC) staff with managing a Wildlands Monitoring project called the Ecological Scorecard with the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC).
Brief Description of Responsibilities: The successful candidate will support and conduct research and monitoring in the Adirondacks.
Specific duties include, but are not limited to the following:
The Ecological Scorecard project monitors the ecological effects of recreation on state lands in the Adirondacks, NY. The position is for a field crew leader and data manager (managing a team of four field technicians in the summer followed by data management, analysis, and report-writing after the field season). Secondarily, this position will have the opportunity to assist with long-term ecological monitoring, as well as some outreach and education, at our control site, Huntington Wildlife Forest (HWF). The project is funded until December 2029.
Primary responsibilities include:
• Field work in ecological data collection (e.g., vegetation surveys, wildlife surveys)
• Data analysis
• Report-writing
• Manage databases, including geospatial (ESRI suite) and data management modeling/coding
• Supervise field technicians
• Help create and disseminate presentations, digital and printed materials for professional and public audiences
• Position is 40 hours per week, with some nights and possible weekends
This position is supervised by the Associate Director of Research at AEC. Position supervises seasonal technicians.
Required Qualifications: at least 3 years of field work in ecological and natural resource sampling methods. Excellent organizational, communication and team-building skills; proficiency in writing and use of spreadsheets. The successful candidate must possess a valid driver’s license.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Masters in ecology, natural resources or related field
• Work outdoors in all weather conditions, be able to access and navigate remote locations by foot or boat, and be able to work alone when necessary
• Experience working in challenging conditions (terrain, bugs, harsh weather)
• Leadership experience
• Minimum of 1 year of data/coding experience in the “R” coding environment
• Minimum of 1 year ArcGIS (Geographic Information Systems) experience
• Plant identification
• Hiking, boating and Backpacking experience
Application Deadline: Although applications will be accepted until the position is filled, candidates should submit their application by September 4, 2026. to assure optimal consideration
Application Procedure: Employment application is required to be submitted on-line at http://www.esf.edu/hr/ Attach cover letter, curriculum vitae, resume and contact information for three employment references.
APPLY HERE / APPLICATIONS CANNOT BE ACCEPTED THROUGH HANDSHAKE:
College of Environmental Science and Forestry Job Posting: Research Foundation - Research Support Specialist AEC Newcomb Campus
As an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer, The Research Foundation for SUNY will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant's race, color, creed, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, transgender status, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, physical and mental disability, criminal record, genetic information, predisposition or carrier status, status with respect to receiving public assistance, domestic violence victim status, a disabled, special, recently separated, active duty wartime, campaign badge, Armed Forces service medal veteran, or any other characteristics protected under applicable law.
In accordance with the “Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act” institutions of higher education are required to prepare an annual report containing information on campus security policies and campus statistics. This report includes statistics for the previous three years concerning reported crimes that occurred on-campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by SUNY-ESF; and on property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from the campus. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security, such as policies concerning sexual assault, and other matters. You can obtain a printed copy of this report by contacting SUNY-ESF University Police at 315-470-6667 or by accessing the following web site: http://www.esf.edu/univpolice/crimereports/
SUNY ESF is a Smoke and Tobacco Free campus and is dedicated to providing a healthy and safe environment for the entire campus. For more information you can visit our Tobacco and Smoke Free Policy at https://www.esf.edu/au/documents/ESF Tobacco Free.pdf
The Research Foundation for The State University of New York offers exceptional benefits such as healthcare, dental, vision, pension plans, competitive pay, generous paid time off, life insurance and long-term disability insurance. https://benefits.rfsuny.org/
The Research Foundation for the State University of New York is not an agency or instrumentality of the State of New York. Employees of the Research Foundation for the State University of New York are not state employees, do not participate in any state retirement system, and do not receive state fringe benefits.
The Research Foundation for the State University of New York operates under a contract with The State University of New York and receives no directly appropriated state funding.
SUNY-ESF and the Broader Community: ESF is a specialized college within the 64-campus SUNY system, and a Carnegie R2 “High Research Activity” Institution that consistently earns high rankings in US News and World Report, Forbes, Princeton Review, and other national college guidebooks. With a total enrollment of about 2,200 undergraduates and 400 graduate students, combined with the immediate proximity of Syracuse University and Upstate Medical University, ESF provides an intimate, small-college atmosphere within a vibrant, large-university setting. ESF’s extended campuses include more than 25,000 acres of forest properties, both close to Syracuse and across the Adirondack Park, which provide numerous opportunities for experiential coursework, research, and public outreach. Located on the eastern edge of the Finger Lakes region, Syracuse is a small city in a rural region offering a diversity of natural and cultural amenities, a low cost of living, and a high quality of life – ranking among the top 10 percent of “Best Places to Live” in “The Places Rated Almanac.” Syracuse is situated with easy access to New York City, the Adirondack Park, Lake Ontario, and many other points of interest in the eastern United States an d Canada.
