Temporary Program Assistant for the Office of Spirituality and Meaning-Making

Cornell University•Ithaca, NY

23d•Onsite

About The Position

The Temporary Program Assistant supports the day-to-day operations of Cornell’s Office of Spirituality and Meaning-Making (OSMM) and its two main programming facilities, Sage Chapel and Anabel Taylor Hall. Serving as the OSMM office coordinator, this role handles logistics for events and programs, orders office supplies, coordinates audiovisual and IT needs, assists with event marketing and publicity, and monitors program and event expenses, including helping arrange travel for speakers. The Program Assistant hires and supervises student workers who serve as the first point of contact for building occupants and visitors, helping maintain a welcoming environment. In coordination with SCL Facilities, the position also assists with building-related issues and maintenance at Anabel Taylor Hall and Sage Chapel. The role combines public-facing service with behind-the-scenes coordination to support OSMM and the Office of the Dean of Students. The position calls for a strong commitment to serving diverse constituents and collaborating across religious, spiritual, secular, and other social identities and ethical worldviews. The successful candidate is approachable, responsive, intellectually curious, and able to communicate with diplomacy and tact. They exercise sound judgment and handle challenging situations with compassion, sensitivity, and professionalism. This is an onsite temporary position paid at $26.00–$26.50 per hour. It is not eligible for benefits or visa sponsorship. Occasional evening, weekend, or non-standard hours are required.

Requirements

Associate’s degree and at least 2 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 with web publishing and maintenance systems, including Drupal; listserv maintenance; creative design programs such as Photoshop and Canva; and related systems.
Experience planning events and programs, including event logistics, marketing, publicity, social media, and public relations strategies.
Ability to develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.
Commitment to working with diverse constituents and collaborating across religious, spiritual, secular, and other social identities and ethical worldviews.
Strong customer-service ethic and ability to be approachable, accessible, and responsive.
Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills, diplomacy, and tact.
Ability to handle unusual or difficult situations with compassion, sensitivity, and professionalism while exercising sound judgment.
Availability for occasional evening, weekend, or non-standard hours.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree.
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.

Responsibilities

Coordinate day-to-day operational needs of the Office of Spirituality and Meaning-Making and its facilities, Sage Chapel and Anabel Taylor Hall.
Coordinate logistics for events and programs.
Order office supplies.
Coordinate audiovisual and IT needs.
Assist with marketing and publicity for OSMM events, including event-related communications and outreach.
Monitor event and program expenses.
Assist with travel arrangements for speakers and programs.
Hire and supervise student workers who serve as the first point of contact for building occupants and visitors.
Help ensure a welcoming environment for people entering OSMM facilities.
Coordinate with SCL Facilities to assist with building-related issues and maintenance at Anabel Taylor Hall and Sage Chapel.
Cultivate inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.
Work occasional evening, weekend, or non-standard hours.