Section Heads' Assistant

Respond to complex telephone and walk in inquiries; distribute informational forms and documents with instructions; respond to routine and non-routine inquiries; serves as reference for policies and procedures; contact individuals inside and outside of University on highly confidential matters.Independently answer correspondence; independently compose and draft forms; format/prepare complex documents; create and maintain list servs.Maintain office equipment inventory system; oversee and troubleshoot department equipment.Create and formulate moderately complex spreadsheets, develop databases & materials from variety of information systems.Respond to routine and non-routine mail inquiries.Schedule appointments, meetings and locations using an electronic calendar; plan and schedule w/o consultation; arrange programs/events; attend meetings and prepare notes, follow up as necessary; independently compile materials for meetings.Arrange details of complicated travel plans involving lengthy trips; prepare travel schedule, itinerary and appointment contacts.Provide program/project support; prepare materials and assist in managing timelines and tasks; manage the program/project calendar.Coordinate programs/projects including registration, scheduling presenters, logistics, accommodation requests, food & beverage, marketing materials, program materials, troubleshoot issues, etc.Maintain and update pages within a content management system according to pre-established schedules; make changes to the website as directed; review website to catch bugs, correct errors and typos, fix broken links and cross-link new resources to relevant pre-existing pages; may create templates of approved website layouts. Update and contribute to social media pages; edit and add content to Faculty support sites, course web sites, employee sites and publication/newsletters.Coordinate applications, interview, and evaluation process and may track academic appointments.Monitor department budget for expenses and balances; investigate discrepancies; process charges, P-Card purchases, travel reimbursements; may assist with grant preparation.Serve as back up payroll approver for online time collection.Maintain office equipment inventory system; assists with capital equipment procurement function.May answer computer-related questions from faculty, staff and students concerning hardware and software.

The Opportunity

The Section Head’s Assistant is part of the school administration and supports the Horticulture (HORT) Section and the Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology (PPPMB) Section, providing professional administrative support to the two Section Heads.  The sections have a physical presence in both the Ithaca and Geneva (AgriTech) campuses with students, faculty, and staff in both locations. This position is based in Ithaca.

This position provides high level administrative support to two section heads (HORT and PPPMB) and assists with academic section processes, including, but not limited to: coordinating information and materials for the section heads’ offices; managing the section heads’ calendars and appointments; answering inquiries about the sections’ programs; managing sensitive and/or confidential materials – both written and verbal – with discretion; coordinating academic appointments; and fostering excellent working relationships within and outside of the sections; facilitating interactions and communications involving the section heads and faculty, staff, students, visitors, and other college and university offices; supporting academic searches and compiling tenure and promotion packages; collaborating with CALS HR on appointments in both the sections; scheduling and attending faculty meetings and preparing minutes, as necessary.

About CALS and SIPS

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) is a pioneer of purpose-driven science and Cornell University’s second largest college. We work across disciplines to tackle the challenges of our time through world-renowned research, education, and outreach. The questions we probe and the answers we seek focus on three overlapping concerns: We believe that achieving next-generation scientific breakthroughs requires an understanding of the world’s complex, interlocking systems. We believe that access to nutritious food and a healthy environment is a fundamental human right. We believe that ensuring a prosperous global future depends on the ability to support local people and communities everywhere. By working in and across multiple scientific areas, CALS can address challenges and opportunities of the greatest relevance, here in New York, across the nation, and around the world.

The School of Integrative Plant Science (SIPS) is composed of five sections: Soil & Crop Sciences, Horticulture, Plant Biology, Plant Breeding & Genetics, and Plant Pathology & Plant-Microbe Biology .  Collectively, SIPS has 100+ faculty, 200+ PhD/MS/MPS graduate students in six fields, and 600+ other employees, located in Ithaca, Geneva, and other satellite locations across New York State.  The school offers a multidisciplinary undergraduate major in Plant Science and is also home to the Agricultural Sciences major. SIPS faculty also contribute to the Biology, Global Development, and Viticulture & Enology majors. 

Hours and Location

This position is 97.5% FTE, 39-hour per week, full-time, benefits-eligible, and based at SIPS in Emerson Hall on Cornell’s Ithaca Campus. Core working hours for this position are typically Monday through Friday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, with 3 days on campus and 2 days remote. Details on start and finish times, along with hybrid set up will be mutually determined between you and your supervisor. The university reserves the right to modify, suspend, revoke, or terminate the hybrid work arrangement at any time.

Success Factors

You'll be considered competitive for this opportunity if you demonstrate:

• The ability to independently manage multiple complex priorities while maintaining exceptional organization, accuracy, and follow through.
• Excellent judgment, professionalism, and discretion when handling confidential information and supporting senior academic leaders.
• Strong relationship-building and customer service skills, with the ability to communicate effectively and diplomatically with faculty, staff, students, and external partners.
• A proactive, resourceful approach to problem solving, with the initiative to anticipate needs, improve processes, and adapt to changing priorities in a collaborative academic environment.

What We Need

• A cover letter and resume outlining your interest and how your experience and goals align with the potential for mutual success in the role are required for consideration.
• Associate’s degree and 2 to 4 years relevant experience or equivalent combination.
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with utmost discretion and integrity.
• Demonstrated record of successfully providing exceptional customer service.
• Ability to communicate with tact and diplomacy with a wide range of internal and external constituents
• Experience that demonstrates sound judgment, creativity, and problem-solving skills.
• Must be able to work independently while supporting the efforts of an overall team while fostering a respectful work environment.
• Excellent organizational skills, and the ability to work quickly and effectively under pressure, use sound judgment in accomplishing tasks that are urgent.
• Balance conflicting priorities and make decisions from a wide range of choices.
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal skills. Must be flexible and receptive to new ideas and approaches.  Accuracy in spelling, grammar, proofreading and attention to detail required.
• Must take initiative, meet challenges with resourcefulness and tact, have ability to work independently
• Proficient in Outlook, Microsoft Word, Excel, and open to learning new software as needed.
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members. 

If you have all those things, great! We have a few more things that we would prefer you to have, but it’s ok if you don’t.

• Bachelor’s degree is preferred.
• Must be able to enhance personal knowledge, skills, and abilities as needed. 
• Prior experience in academic setting helpful and/or supporting academic program activities. 
• Prior experience in event planning helpful. 

Rewards and Benefits

• This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement. Employees typically perform this role remotely 2 days per week and on-campus 3 days per week. The university reserves the right to modify, suspend, revoke or terminate the hybrid work arrangement at any time.

Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, and sustainability.

• Our benefits programs include comprehensive health care options, generous retirement contributions, access to wellness programs, and employee discounts with local and national retail brands. We invite you to follow this link to get more information about our benefits: Understand Your Benefits | Working at Cornell.

• Our leave provisions include health and personal leave, three weeks of vacation and 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. To offer greater flexibility for observing faiths and traditions, we also offer two additional floating holidays. Learn more about our generous leave provisions: Holiday and Accrued Time Off | Working at Cornell

• Cornell's impressive educational benefits include tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program, tuition aid for external education, and Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance Program. Learn more about our extensive educational benefits: Education Benefits | Working at Cornell

• Follow this link to learn more about the Total Rewards of Working at Cornell:

Total Rewards | Working at Cornell.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Relocation assistance will not be provided for this position.

Cornell is an equal opportunity employer. For more information, visit hr.cornell.edu/eeo.

University Job Title:

Administrative Asst IV

Job Family:

Administration

Level:

D

Pay Rate Type:

Hourly

Pay Range:

$26.41 - $30.69

Remote Option Availability:

Hybrid

Company:

Contact Name:

Carolyn Chow

Contact Email:

cc2654@cornell.edu

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Noted pay ranges reflect the potential pay opportunity for each job profile. The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

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• Unique applicable skills

• Academic Discipline

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Cornell welcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world-class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of “... any person ... any study.” No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

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2026-08-05