Temporary Senior Administrative Assistant

Cornell University • Ithaca, MI

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) is seeking a Temporary Senior Administrative Assistant to provide high-level support for the Department Chair. This role involves managing the Chair's complex calendar, coordinating meetings, drafting correspondence, and serving as a primary point of contact. The position also provides administrative support for faculty reappointments, promotions, and search activities, as well as coordinating departmental events and supporting advisory board engagement. This is a temporary, hybrid position for seven months, working 30 hours per week, located in Ithaca, New York.

Requirements

• Associate degree and at least 3 years of increasingly responsible administrative experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated experience providing administrative support in a fast-paced office environment.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Proven ability to maintain a professional atmosphere in a busy office environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and work independently with minimal supervision as well as working as part of a team.
• Demonstrated ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.
• Strong customer service skills and the ability to work effectively with faculty, staff, students, and external stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

• Experience providing executive-level administrative support.
• Experience working in higher education or a university setting.
• Familiarity with Cornell administrative systems and procedures.
• Knowledge of, or ability to learn, Academic Jobs Online, Interfolio, Smartsheet, Qualtrics, and Acrobat.
• Experience coordinating meetings, events, and academic personnel processes.

Responsibilities

• Manage the Chair’s complex calendar, scheduling meetings, appointments, and events.
• Coordinate meeting logistics, prepare agendas, compile materials, and record meeting minutes.
• Draft and prepare correspondence, reports, and other documents on behalf of the Chair.
• Monitor and respond to routine inquiries, serving as a primary point of contact for faculty, staff, students, visitors, and university partners.
• Maintain departmental records and confidential files while exercising sound judgment and discretion.
• Assist with coordination of faculty reappointments, promotions, and other academic personnel activities, including using Interfolio to compile materials and arrange for external reviews.
• May assist with faculty search activities, including coordinating candidate interviews, assisting with travel and lodging arrangements, scheduling meetings and presentations, managing visits, and arranging reimbursements.
• Prepare and assemble materials for departmental reports and administrative processes.
• Coordinate departmental events, meetings, and special projects as assigned.
• Support advisory board and stakeholder engagement activities, including meeting coordination and communications.
• Work collaboratively with department administrative staff to ensure uninterrupted service and support for departmental operations.
• Perform other related duties as assigned to support departmental priorities during the appointment period.

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-year Winter Break from December 25 - January 1.
• Two additional floating holidays

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Associate degree