Temporary Program Assistant for the Office of Spirituality and Meaning-Making
About The Position
The Temporary Program Assistant supports the day-to-day operations of the Office of Spirituality and Meaning-Making (OSMM) and its two main programming facilities, Sage Chapel and Anabel Taylor Hall. The role serves as OSMM’s office coordinator and manages logistics for a wide variety of events and programs. It also supports office supply orders, audiovisual and IT needs, event marketing and publicity, program and event expense monitoring, and travel arrangements for speakers and programs. The Program Assistant hires and supervises student workers who serve as the first point of contact for building occupants and visitors and help maintain a welcoming environment. In coordination with Student and Campus Life Facilities, the role assists with building-related issues and maintenance at Anabel Taylor Hall and Sage Chapel. The position combines public-facing service with behind-the-scenes coordination to support the operations of OSMM and the Office of the Dean of Students. The position calls for a commitment to working with diverse constituents and collaborating across religious, spiritual, secular, and other identities and worldviews. The successful candidate demonstrates a strong customer-service ethic, intellectual curiosity, excellent interpersonal and communication skills, diplomacy, tact, compassion, sensitivity, professionalism, and sound judgment when handling conflict or challenging situations.
Requirements
- Associate’s degree and at least two years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Strong independent decision-making and organizational skills, including the ability to manage multiple assignments and conflicting priorities.
- Competency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), Google Office Suite, and web management systems.
- Experience planning events and programs, including logistics, marketing, publicity, social media, and public relations strategies.
- Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.
- Excellent verbal and written communication, interpersonal skills, diplomacy, and tact.
- Ability to address difficult or unusual circumstances with compassion, sensitivity, professionalism, and sound judgment.
Nice To Haves
- Bachelor’s degree and interfaith experience working with people from different religious, spiritual, or secular traditions or worldviews.
- Knowledge of Cornell University and the Ithaca community.
- University-level experience working with students, faculty, staff, administrators, alumni, and guest dignitaries.
- Experience operating and troubleshooting audiovisual equipment.
- Experience with Drupal or other web publishing and maintenance systems, listserv maintenance, and creative design programs such as Photoshop or Canva.
Responsibilities
- Coordinate the day-to-day operational needs of OSMM and its programming facilities, Sage Chapel and Anabel Taylor Hall.
- Coordinate logistics for a wide variety of events and programs.
- Order office supplies.
- Coordinate audiovisual and IT needs.
- Assist with marketing and publicity for OSMM events.
- Monitor event and program expenses.
- Assist with travel arrangements for speakers and programs.
- Hire and supervise student workers who welcome and assist building occupants and visitors.
- Coordinate with SCL Facilities on building issues and maintenance at Anabel Taylor Hall and Sage Chapel.
- Work inclusively and collaboratively with students, faculty, staff, and community members across diverse identities and worldviews.
- Work occasional evening, weekend, or non-standard hours.
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What This Job Offers
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
Associate degree
