Prospective Employees

Employment opportunities offered by the Research Foundation for SUNY are separate and distinct from SUNY and State University of New York employment.

Employment opportunities offered by the Research Foundation for SUNY are separate and distinct from SUNY and State University of New York employment. As a result, position terms and conditions, compensation and benefits offered by the Research Foundation are different from state employment. Contact the Research Foundation Human Resources office at SUNY Plattsburgh with questions concerning employment and benefits offered.

Current Openings

Co-Director of Science & Environmental Discovery Lake Champlain Discovery Center
The Lake Champlain Research Institute at SUNY Plattsburgh, through the Research Foundation for the State University of New York (RF-SUNY), is seeking a qualified candidate for the position of Co-Director to oversee the newly established Lake Champlain Discovery Center located in Plattsburgh, N.Y. This is an on-site leadership position with travel to regional partner sites and events. Qualified candidates should have a combination of environmental expertise, education and program management skills, and demonstrated leadership abilities to ensure the facility serves both the community and the Lake Champlain ecosystem. The Co-Director shall dedicate a significant portion of their effort toward organizational sustainability, including fundraising, partnership development, grant acquisition, strategic planning, visitor growth, revenue generation, and advancement initiatives necessary to ensure the long-term viability of the Lake Champlain Discovery Center beyond the period of initial grant funding.

Position Description

The Co-Director will oversee the Lake Champlain Discovery Center’s educational, interpretive, and community engagement programs, ensuring they align with the program’s vision and mission. The Co-Director of Science and Discovery will provide scientific content leadership to include the development, interpretation, and management of science exhibits, environmental education programs, and research partnerships focused on Lake Champlain’s ecology, fisheries, environmental systems, and scientific discoveries.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities
- Manage the center’s educational offerings, visitor programs and community events; coordinate and supervise staff and students.
- Lead the development of science-based exhibits and interactive learning experiences.
- Ensure scientific accuracy and evidence-based interpretation of all scientific content.
- Develop exhibits focused on:
  - Lake ecology
  - Fisheries and aquatic species
  - Watershed science
  - Climate change
  - Invasive species
  - Water quality
  - Conservation biology
  - Sustainable resource management
- Collaborate with the Lake Champlain Research Institute and other regional partners.
- Coordinate field experiences, demonstrations and environmental education activities.
- Coordinate STEM programming for K–12 students and lifelong learners.
- Establish partnerships with environmental agencies, conservation organizations and research institutions.
- Pursue grants and funding opportunities related to science education, environmental stewardship, research translation and public engagement.
- Translate current scientific research into exhibits and public educational experiences.
- Ensure exhibits remain current with emerging scientific knowledge and Lake Champlain research findings.
- Integrate scientific monitoring, conservation initiatives and environmental data into visitor experiences.
Shared Co-Director Responsibilities
- Organizational Leadership
  - Serve as the senior leadership team for the Discovery Center.
  - Participate in strategic planning and long-term organizational development.
  - Develop annual goals, objectives and performance measures.
  - Present reports to the Research Foundation for SUNY, advisory boards and funding agencies.
  - Support policy development and operational procedures.
  - Discovery Center Development
  - Guide exhibit planning and visitor experience design.
  - Evaluate visitor engagement and educational outcomes.
  - Ensure exhibits and programs are accessible, inclusive and engaging for diverse audiences.
  - Establish quality standards for all educational content and exhibits.
- Sustainability & Revenue Generation
  - Develop and implement long-term sustainability strategies to support operations beyond initial grant funding.
  - Identify and cultivate revenue sources including:
    
    Grants
    
    Sponsorships
    
    Membership programs
    
    Donations
    
    Corporate partnerships
    
    Fee-based educational programming
    
    Events and facility rentals
  - Assist in fundraising campaigns and donor cultivation.
  - Develop strategic partnerships with tourism, educational, nonprofit, governmental and business organizations.
  - Identify opportunities for earned income and entrepreneurial program development.
  - Support creation of a long-term business model and financial sustainability plan.
- Community Engagement
  - Serve as public ambassadors for the Discovery Center.
  - Develop relationships with regional stakeholders throughout the Lake Champlain Basin.
  - Represent the Center at conferences, community events and professional meetings.
  - Cultivate volunteer programs and community participation initiatives.
  - Build cross-border partnerships with organizations in New York, Vermont, Québec and the broader Great Lakes region.
- Educational Mission
  - Collaboratively develop interdisciplinary experiences integrating history, culture, science and environmental stewardship.
  - Promote public understanding of the interconnected natural and human history of the Lake Champlain region.
  - Support internships, student experiential learning opportunities and research engagement through SUNY Plattsburgh.
- Grants & Advancement
  - Jointly identify funding opportunities.
    Participate in grant writing, reporting and compliance activities.
  - Develop relationships with philanthropic organizations and government funding agencies.
  - Support development of a Friends of the Lake Champlain Discovery Center organization or similar fundraising entity.
Required Qualifications
- M.S. or M.A. in the sciences (natural science, ecology, environmental science, or related fields) and a minimum of 3–5 years of relevant experience.
- Evidence of strong leadership skills
- Strong collaboration, communication and facilitation skills.
- Valid driver’s license is required.
- Familiarity with outreach and education programs and activities.
- Experience with environmental programs and public/private fund raising/legislative issues.
Preferred Qualifications
- Knowledge of Lake Champlain resource management and environmental regulations.
- Experience in funding, development and legislative support for environmental programs related to Lake Champlain issues.
The Research Foundation for SUNY, RFSUNY

The position will be with the Research Foundation for SUNY, a private, nonprofit corporation. RFSUNY offers comprehensive and low-cost health, dental, and vision insurance, basic and optional retirement plans, employer paid life insurance, tuition waivers, paid time off, and other competitive benefits.

Salary Range: $75,000 to $90,000 Commensurate with education, qualifications, and field experience. Excellent benefit package.

Submit vitae/resume, cover letter, list of 3 professional references.

Research Foundation for SUNY
Box RF 2026-5
202 Kehoe Administration Building
101 Broad Street
Plattsburgh, New York 12901
Fax: 518-564-2157
Email: [email protected]

Review of applications will begin November 11, 2026 and continue until the position is filled.

If an applicant cannot complete the application process to respond to a notice of job vacancy due to a disability or other concern, please contact the Research Foundation Human Resources office at SUNY Plattsburgh: 518-564-2132.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer

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.

The company will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against applicants because they have inquired about, or discussed their own pay or the pay of another employee of applicant.

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.