Administrative Assistant III

Cornell University•Ithaca, MI

2d•$24 - $26•Onsite

About The Position

The Administrative Assistant III provides essential administrative support to the Physics Department and LASSP at Cornell University’s College of Arts and Sciences. The role serves as a central resource for faculty, staff, students, researchers, visitors, and guests, helping support departmental events, communications, travel, and daily operations. The position is full-time at 39 hours per week and is fully onsite at Cornell’s Ithaca, New York campus. The College of Arts and Sciences is Cornell’s largest undergraduate college, with approximately 4,600 undergraduates, 1,370 graduate students, 685 faculty, 40 academic departments, and 300 staff. The Physics Department is a large academic and research unit with 40 tenure-track faculty, approximately 180 PhD students, 70 undergraduate majors, research centers, and research collaborations at Cornell and worldwide. The position supports a welcoming, inclusive, and collaborative environment that advances the department’s teaching and research mission.

Requirements

Associate’s degree with 2–4 years of relevant administrative or office experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, including the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Demonstrated ability to provide professional and responsive customer service.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with faculty, staff, students, visitors, and other members of the University community.
Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment within established guidelines, and adapt to changing priorities and procedures.
Proficiency with standard office software, including Microsoft Office, or ability to quickly develop proficiency with new software and administrative systems.
A cover letter and resume outlining interest in the role and how the applicant’s experience and goals align with the potential for mutual success are required for consideration.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in a higher education, research, or academic environment.
Experience coordinating meetings, seminars, events, or visitors.
Experience supporting travel arrangements, reimbursements, or other administrative processes.
Experience maintaining website content or providing routine communications support.

Responsibilities

Serve as a primary point of contact for faculty, staff, students, visitors, and guests, providing professional and responsive support.
Support daily department operations, including front desk activities, mail distribution, office supply management, and upkeep of shared administrative spaces and equipment.
Collaborate with the administrative team to support efficient operations and customer service.
Coordinate logistics for seminars, colloquia, meetings, and special events, including room scheduling, event services, communications, and support for visiting speakers and guests.
Assist with event-related travel documentation, reimbursements, and follow-up activities.
Provide administrative support for faculty meetings, scheduling, visitors, and departmental activities.
Assist graduate students with travel arrangements, documentation, reimbursements, and university processes and systems.
Respond to routine administrative questions and direct complex inquiries to the appropriate resource.
Manage calendars, meeting schedules, room reservations, and shared administrative resources.
Maintain and update website content, calendars, announcements, mailing lists, and other communication tools.
Prepare and distribute communications supporting departmental programs, events, and activities.
Contribute to a welcoming, inclusive, and collaborative environment supporting teaching and research.
Participate in special projects, professional development, required training, and other duties as assigned.