Temporary Administrative Assistant

Cornell University • Ithaca, NY

10h • Onsite

About The Position

The Temporary Administrative Assistant provides front desk and basic administrative support to the Offices of the President and Provost at Cornell University’s Ithaca campus. The position supports daily administrative operations and requires initiative, sound judgment, strong customer service, professionalism, and discretion when handling confidential information. This is an onsite, full-time temporary role for approximately three months, with the possibility of extension based on departmental needs. The schedule is approximately 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, for 39 hours per week. The pay rate is $26.41 per hour. The role is non-benefits eligible.

The assistant oversees front-office operations and coverage, including greeting guests, answering phones, monitoring leadership calendars, maintaining a welcoming lobby, and coordinating administrative support across the office. The assistant also liaises with the President’s Correspondence Manager to support incoming mail, inbox management, and outgoing correspondence requests, and serves as the office’s financial liaison to the Shared Services Center for vendor payments, procurement, and related administrative transactions.

Requirements

• Associate’s degree and 4–6 years of administrative support experience, preferably supporting an executive, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral communication, and customer service skills.
• Ability to interact professionally, diplomatically, and courteously, including with callers or visitors who may be difficult or upset.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a high-functioning team in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to navigate competing priorities and respond flexibly and calmly to changing demands.
• Prior experience handling confidential and sensitive information and commitment to discretion and confidentiality.
• Independent judgment, initiative, problem-solving, and decision-making skills when responding to constituents and representing the office.
• Strong technological proficiency, including advanced skills with Microsoft Office applications, Outlook, Teams, Qualtrics, Google Drive, and other collaboration tools.
• Experience with, or ability to quickly learn, administrative financial processes such as procurement, vendor payments, and related transactions.
• Cover letter and resume are required for further consideration.
• No visa sponsorship is available.
• No relocation assistance is available.

Nice To Haves

• Previous administrative experience at Cornell University.
• Administrative support experience supporting an executive.

Responsibilities

• Oversee front-office operations and coverage, including greeting guests and answering phones.
• Monitor leadership calendars and maintain a welcoming, professional lobby area.
• Coordinate administrative support needs across the office.
• Liaise with the President’s Correspondence Manager to assist with incoming mail, inbox management, and tracking and coordinating outgoing correspondence requests.
• Serve as the office financial liaison to the Shared Services Center, coordinating vendor payments, procurement of goods and services, and related administrative transactions.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree