[Hiring] Family Consultant @Cornell University

Role Description

The New York FarmNet Program, housed within the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business and the Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management, supports farm families and agricultural businesses through confidential financial and family/personal consulting services. Our mission is to strengthen farm business decision-making, improve family communication, build resilience, and support the long-term viability of New York agriculture.

New York FarmNet is actively recruiting part-time Family Consultants throughout New York State. This is a temporary, non-benefits-eligible position working 19 hours or fewer per week, with an end date of June 30, 2026, and the possibility of renewal. Flexible scheduling is available.

Key Responsibilities:

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with farm families and agricultural business owners.
• Build trust while fostering respect for diverse perspectives, values, and goals.
• Create a supportive environment in which clients can discuss concerns, explore options, and work through challenges.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries and exercise sound judgment regarding referrals and resources.
• Conduct family, communication, stress, and needs assessments.
• Help clients navigate conflict, difficult conversations, transitions, and decision-making challenges.
• Support clients through complex family, communication, transition, and decision-making situations using structured, client-centered consulting techniques.
• Identify crisis, safety, mental health, addiction, domestic violence, elder care, and social service concerns requiring referral.
• Coordinate with Financial Consultants as part of FarmNet’s paired-consultant model.
• Maintain timely and accurate case note documentation.
• Participate in FarmNet training, case review, outreach, and professional development activities.
• Occasionally travel overnight for training meetings and professional development activities.

The hourly pay rate is $34.50. This position does not qualify for relocation assistance or visa sponsorship.

Qualifications

• MSW, LCSW, Master’s in Counseling, Master’s in Psychology, marriage and family therapy credential, or equivalent education and experience appropriate to the role.
• Demonstrated experience supporting individuals, couples, families, or groups regarding communication challenges, family dynamics, stress management, conflict resolution, grief, addiction, behavioral health, or related concerns.
• Demonstrated ability to assess mental health concerns, recognize suicide risk and safety concerns, and make appropriate referrals.
• Strong listening, assessment, facilitation, and communication skills.
• Awareness of the ways farm financial stress, business uncertainty, debt pressure, transition, and labor demands affect family communication and decision-making.
• Commitment to completing required FarmNet training and utilizing program tools, templates, case frameworks, and documentation standards.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel within New York State.

Preferred Qualifications

• Preference for candidates demonstrating a client-centered consulting approach and the ability to help farm families navigate complex personal, family, and business challenges through collaborative problem-solving, effective communication, goal setting, and behavior-change support.
• Experience providing client-centered consulting, coaching, counseling, case management, mediation, or educational services.
• Training or experience in motivational interviewing, strengths-based coaching, family systems work, conflict resolution, facilitation, mediation, or change management.
• Experience assessing suicide risk, mental health concerns, substance use issues, and making appropriate referrals.
• Experience working as part of an interdisciplinary or collaborative service team.
• Familiarity with agricultural communities, family businesses, rural populations, or agricultural service systems.
• Bilingual or multilingual communication skills relevant to New York agricultural communities.

Company Description

For general questions about the position or the application process, please contact the Recruiter listed in the job posting or email [email protected].

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 [email protected].

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 [email protected].