Temporary Administrative Assistant

We are seeking a Temporary Administrative Assistant in the Office of the President in Ithaca, NY. The position will provide front desk and basic administrative support to the Offices of the President and Provost. Initiative, discernment, strong customer services skills, and a high level of professionalism and confidentiality are essential in this position.
This is a full-time (39 hours/week), non-benefits temporary role for approximately 3 months, but may be extended based on the needs of the department. The schedule will be approximately 8:30AM – 5:00 PM, Monday – Friday.
This is an onsite position, the temporary employee would be expected to work on campus at our Ithaca location in Day Hall.
The pay rate will be $26.41/hour.
The Temporary Administrative Assistant will support the daily administrative operations of the office. Specific responsibilities will include:
Overseeing front-office operations and coverage, including greeting guests, answering phones, monitoring leadership calendars, maintaining a welcoming and professional lobby area, and coordinating administrative support needs across the office.
Serving as a liaison to the President’s Correspondence Manager, assisting with incoming mail, inbox management, and the tracking and coordination of outgoing correspondence requests.
Serving as the office financial liaison to the Shared Services Center, coordinating vendor payments, procurement of goods and services, and related administrative transactions.
What We Need
We are seeking a highly organized, professional, and collaborative team member who demonstrates strong attention to detail, adaptability, sound judgment, and a commitment to excellent service. The successful candidate will:
Have an associate’s degree and 4–6 years of administrative support experience, preferably supporting an executive, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Demonstrate excellent interpersonal, oral communication, and customer service skills.
Interact with individuals in a professional, diplomatic, and courteous manner, including when working with callers or visitors who may be difficult or upset.
Work effectively as part of a high-functioning team in a fast-paced environment.
Able to navigate competing priorities and respond with flexibility and composure to changing demands.
Demonstrate prior experience handling confidential and sensitive information, with a strong commitment to maintaining the highest standards of discretion and confidentiality.
Demonstrate independent judgment, initiative, problem-solving, and decision-making skills when responding to constituents and representing the office.
Demonstrate strong technological proficiency, including advanced skills with Microsoft Office applications, Outlook, Teams, Qualtrics, Google Drive, and other collaboration tools.
Have experience with, or the ability to quickly learn, administrative financial processes such as procurement, vendor payments, and related transactions.
Previous administrative experience at Cornell University is preferred.
A cover letter and resume are required for further consideration for this position.
No Visa Sponsorship is available for this position.
No Relocation Assistance is available for this position.
University Job Title:
Temporary Administrative Assistant
Job Family:
Temporary Administration
Level:
No Grade - Hourly
Pay Rate Type:
Hourly
Pay Range:
Refer to Posting Language
Remote Option Availability:
Onsite
Company:
Contact Name:
Cyndi Morris
Contact Email:
clm74@cornell.edu
Job Titles and Pay Ranges:
Non-Union Positions
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:
Prior relevant work or industry experience
Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position
Unique applicable skills
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