Administrative Assistant V
About The Position
The Department of Public and Ecosystem Health (PEH) is within the College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University. Cornell Public Health’s mission is to advance equitable, sustainable health and well‑being by using a systems-based, transdisciplinary approach that integrates social and environmental determinants of health into education, research, and practice. The program emphasizes community engagement and real‑world impact to improve health locally and globally. Its vision centers on promoting human and environmental health together, focusing on prevention and long‑term sustainability in a world facing climate change, inequity, and other global challenges. The Assistant to the Chair and Director serves as the primary administrative partner to the Department Chair of Public and Ecosystem Health (PEH) and Director of Cornell Public Health (CPH). This role leads the administrative team responsible for carrying out a broad range of routine to highly complex tasks that ensure smooth operations and effective communication across the PEH academic department and the Cornell Public Health program. Operating within a highly interactive environment that spans academia, research, public health practice, and external partnerships, this individual draws on comprehensive knowledge of institutional policies, practices, and precedents to anticipate organizational needs and support unit priorities. The ideal candidate is exceptionally organized, exercises excellent judgment in managing multiple priorities, and handles confidential/sensitive information with professionalism and discretion. A positive attitude, strong critical-thinking skills, and proactive problem-solving are essential. Highly responsive and service-oriented, this individual communicates effectively across all levels to meet stakeholder needs. This position reports directly to the Assistant Director of Operations for Cornell Public Health, who also functions as the Administrative Manager for the Department of Public and Ecosystem Health, ensuring coordinated support across both units. Regular interaction with diverse campus partners, community collaborators, government agencies, vendors, and external public health entities is required to coordinate and advance programmatic, academic, and operational goals.
Requirements
- Associate degree with a minimum of four years’ experience providing high-level administrative support to faculty or executives, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- A strong customer service orientation, professional polish, and exquisite attention to detail.
- Ability to develop a complete and useful understanding of Cornell policies, particularly around faculty searches, reappointment, and promotion dossiers.
- Superior written, verbal, and interpersonal skills with the ability to develop successful working relationships with countless professional partners.
- Excellent planning, coordination, and organizational skills.
- Demonstrated proficiency with commercial software, including Microsoft Office and Adobe products, with the ability to learn new software quickly; technologically savvy.
- Ability to handle sensitive, confidential information with tact and discretion.
- Ability to work independently and to respond quickly and effectively to multiple assignments and conflicting priorities and situations; ability to prioritize work appropriately.
- Must maintain a valid driver’s license.
- Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.
Nice To Haves
- Ability to apply creative approaches/solutions to traditional administrative tasks.
Responsibilities
- Serve as the primary administrative support for the PEH Department Chair and the Director of CPH; understand their roles, priorities, and workflows and provide the appropriate level and type of support needed to advance each unit’s mission.
- Provide high-level executive administrative support, including drafting and reviewing correspondence, managing inquiries and communications, and preparing materials and briefings.
- Coordinate complex calendars, schedule and track meetings and events, and arrange visits from government representatives, public health partners, and advisory groups.
- Support faculty affairs processes—faculty searches, dossiers, annual reviews, third-year reviews, promotion and tenure actions—and coordinate communications and documentation.
- Manage planning and logistics for departmental and program events, retreats, seminars, and public health–related activities.
- Provide guidance and backup support to administrative staff supporting PEH and CPH operations.
- Serve as a resource and point of coordination across academic, research, and community engagement activities.
- Assist in developing and improving administrative workflows, communications, and operational efficiency across units.
- Proactively respond to the diverse needs of faculty, staff, students, internal partners, public health collaborators, clients, and external agencies.
- Represent the missions and interests of PEH and CPH in all business interactions.
Benefits
- comprehensive health care options
- generous retirement contributions
- access to wellness programs
- employee discounts with local and national retail brands
- health and personal leave
- three weeks of vacation
- 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.
- two additional floating holidays
- tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program
- tuition aid for external education
- Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance Program
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
Associate degree
