Rigging, Transportation, and Inventory Supervisor

Cornell University; Town of Ithaca (NY); On-site; USD 77,000 - 89,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Wellbeing programs

Employee discounts

Vacation and holidays

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Cornell University’s CLASSE is seeking a Rigging, Transportation, and Inventory Supervisor to lead safety‑conscious operations across the campus research complex in Ithaca. You will supervise technicians, manage rigging, crane operation, and inventory, and collaborate with facilities, EH&S, and academic units to keep research moving.

This 3-year term position requires a Bachelor’s degree with 3–5 years of relevant experience, CDL in good standing, and strong leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 3-5 years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• At least 3 years of experience in a facility with inventory control, logistics, or material handling.
• At least 2 years of experience as a technical or trades supervisor.
• Experience operating heavy-duty lifting and transportation equipment with CDL or equivalent.
• Extensive knowledge of lifting slings, wire-ropes, shackles, and rigging equipment.
• Experience using hand/power tools, diagnostic equipment, and shop/carpentry tools.
• Welding skills for TIG, MIG, SMAW on multiple metals.
• Strong leadership and sound judgment.
• A valid Class B Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).
• Ability to understand and work with diverse cultures.

Responsibilities

• Supervise a team of equipment technicians and prioritize work by urgency and deadlines.
• Evaluate workflows and implement improvements as needed.
• Provide rigging support to technicians, researchers, and faculty; coordinate setup and breakdown of lab equipment.
• Operate cranes, forklifts, and other large equipment; ensure maintenance and annual inspections.
• Train staff on overhead crane operation and rigging techniques.
• Oversee stockkeeper and inventory to maintain safe, organized storage areas.
• Review stockroom, shipping, and receiving functions for service levels and software usage.
• Maintain records for cranes, hoists, vehicles, and equipment.
• Contribute to development of new inventory software and workflows.
• Communicate services to CLASSE staff and faculty and implement improvements.
• Coordinate activities with Facilities, Campus Services, EH&S, and academic departments.
• Provide occasional on-call support for emergencies during nights, weekends, and holidays.

Skills

Leadership

Safety-focused

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Crane operation

Forklift operation

Inventory software

Job description

The Cornell Laboratory for Accelerator-based Sciences & Education (CLASSE) is looking for a Rigging, Transportation, and Inventory Supervisor to provide direct service to administrative, technical, professional, and academic staff and faculty across a vast research complex. If you have hands-on experience with rigging, heavy equipment operation, and inventory logistics and you enjoy turning research needs into practical solutions, this may be the job for you.

As Rigging, Transportation, and Inventory Supervisor, you will lead technical operations in a safety-focused, hands-on supervisory role supporting the unique and complex needs of CLASSE’s research programs. This includes assessing project needs, establishing work priorities, and determining safe and effective approaches for complex equipment, rigging, fabrication, and material-handling projects. You will oversee a broad range of services and resources that keep research operations moving safely and efficiently, while collaborating with scientific and technical staff, facilities teams, and other University units.

Key Responsibilities Include

• Supervising a team of equipment technicians and strategically prioritizing work assignments based on urgency, efficiency, and project deadlines
• Evaluating workflows, systems, and processes and recommending or implementing improvements as needed
• Providing support and rigging expertise to technicians, research specialists, scientists, students, and faculty, including safely coordinating the set-up, breakdown, and rearrangement of lab equipment and experimental furnishings
• Operating cranes, forklifts, and other large equipment and vehicles while ensuring all equipment is properly maintained and inspected annually
• Training CLASSE staff, faculty, and students on overhead crane operation and rigging techniques
• Supervising the stockkeeper and parts inventory to maintain safe, organized, and well-stocked operations and storage areas that support research programs
• Reviewing stockroom, shipping and receiving functions to ensure appropriate levels of service and software applications are in use to comply with university recommendations
• Maintaining records for cranes, hoists, vehicles, and other equipment
• Providing input on the development of new inventory software, considering the needs of different users
• Communicating with CLASSE staff and faculty about the team’s services and making improvements or changes as needed
• Coordinating activities between CLASSE and other University units, such as Facilities and Campus Services, Environment Health and Safety, and academic departments
• Providing occasional on-call support for operational emergencies during nights, weekends, and holidays

About CLASSE

The Cornell Laboratory for Accelerator-based Sciences & Education (CLASSE) is a fast-paced, dynamic workplace where scientists, professors, post-docs, researchers, engineers, support specialists, and technicians work hand-in-hand to develop, test, and implement scientific equipment and research procedures. CLASSE supports numerous cutting‑edge programs including but not limited to: Cornell Electron Storage Ring (CESR), Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source (CHESS), Center for Bright Beams (CBB), Superconducting Radio Frequency (SRF), Cornell Brookhaven E(ERL-Energy Recovery LINAC) Test Accelerator (CBETA), and Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS).

What We Need

We are looking for someone with the following experience and qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree and 3-5 years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• At least 3 years of experience working in a facility and performing inventory control, logistics, or material handling duties
• At least 2 years of experience as a technical or trades supervisor
• Experience operating heavy‑duty lifting and transportation equipment, such as fork trucks, winches, cranes, and vehicles requiring a US‑DOT‑CDL or equivalent
• Extensive knowledge in the use of lifting slings, wire‑ropes, shackles, and related rigging equipment
• Experience using standard hand and power tools, diagnostic equipment, and machine shop and carpentry equipment
• Demonstrated welding skills for TIG, MIG and SMAW processes for aluminum, stainless steel, copper, and carbon steels
• Strong leadership skills and sound judgment
• A valid Class B Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)
• Demonstrated skill in understanding cultural differences

Additionally, The Following Experience And Skills Are Preferred

• Extensive experience (5+ years) performing related work
• Advanced rigging, machine shop, fabrication, assembly, and mechanical skills
• Experience with vacuum and cooling systems

Important Notes

This is a 3-year term position subject to ongoing research funding.

The work schedule is Monday-Friday, day shift, on the Ithaca campus.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

This is a safety-sensitive position requiring random drug and alcohol testing in accordance with Cornell University’s policy. As a condition of employment, a pre-employment drug and alcohol test is required and must have a negative result.

Rewards And Benefits

• This position is located in Ithaca, New York, on the campus of Cornell University. Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, and sustainability. This is a fixed-term position with an initial appointment period of three years and is renewable based on available funding and satisfactory performance.
• Our benefits programs include comprehensive health care options, generous retirement contributions, access to wellness programs, and employee discounts with local and national retail brands. We invite you to follow this link to get more information about our benefits: Understand Your Benefits | Working at Cornell.
• Our leave provisions include health and personal leave, three weeks of vacation and 13 holidays: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, and an end of the year winter break from December 25‑January 1. To offer greater flexibility for observing faiths and traditions we also offer two additional floating holidays. Learn more about our generous leave provisions: Holiday and Accrued Time Off | Working at Cornell.
• Cornell's impressive educational benefits include tuition‑free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program, tuition aid for external education, and Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance Program. Learn more about our extensive educational benefits: Education Benefits | Working at Cornell.

University Job Title

Tech Svcs Supv II

Job Family

Academic Support

Level

F

Pay Rate Type

Salary

Pay Range

$76,874.00 - $89,340.00

Remote Option Availability

Onsite

Company

Endowed

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.

EEO Statement

Cornell welcomes 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 seeks job candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We hire based on merit, and encourage 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.

2026-08-31