Graduate Field Assistant

About The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences 

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) at Cornell is a leader in purpose-driven, interdisciplinary science focused on complex global systems, food security, environmental health, and community prosperity. Within CALS, the Department of Animal Science offers undergraduate and graduate programs centered on the biology and management of food, laboratory, and companion animals.  

The Opportunity

The Graduate Field Assistant (GFA) for Animal Science supports 50–55 graduate students and about 30 faculty members under general supervision. The role serves as a central resource for students, faculty, and program directors while providing comprehensive support for graduate and professional degree programs. Responsibilities include managing admissions, recruitment, funding processes, data reporting, and student progress tracking. The position also coordinates with campus offices, contributes to outreach and website initiatives, and provides backup course coordination support.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a key resource for students, faculty, the Director of Graduate Studies, and the MPS Director.
• Support graduate and professional programs (admissions, recruitment, orientation, and student records).
• Collaborate with the Graduate Admissions Committee and manage funding processes (fellowships, assistantships, bursar credits).
• Maintain and extract student data for field, college, and university reporting.
• Liaise with the Graduate School, Bursar’s Office, Registrar’s Office, and International Services Office.
• Track student progress and degree completion.
• Assist with recruitment by developing promotional materials and maintaining prospective student relationships.
• Contribute to website updates and outreach initiatives.
• Provide backup course coordination support for ANSC to the Undergraduate Program Coordinator.

What We Need

A resume and cover letter are required for further consideration.

• Associate’s degree plus 2–4 years of relevant work experience.
• Ability to build inclusive, equitable relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Strong organizational, communication, multitasking, and interpersonal skills in fast-paced settings.
• Ability to collaborate across college units and with varied constituents.
• Sound judgment, creativity, analytical thinking, and problem-solving with confidential information.
• Proven customer service experience and attention to detail with initiative.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively under pressure while balancing priorities.
• Strong reasoning and innovation in resolving routine issues.
• Ability to advocate for individuals from a broad range of backgrounds.

Success Factors include:

• Strong Communication Skills
• Organizational & Time Management
• Student-Centered Approach
• Problem-Solving & Critical Thinking
• Collaboration & Relationship Building
• Technological Proficiency

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.

• Experience with systems used at Cornell University, including PeopleSoft, Workday, CollegeNET, Salesforce, Drupal, e-Shop, Canvas, and Qualtrics.

This is a full-time (39 hours per week), three-year term position within the Contract College, based in Ithaca, NY, with a hybrid work arrangement. Employees typically work on-site four days per week and remotely one day per week. Core hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, with flexibility as needed. The final schedule will be determined in collaboration with the supervisor.

Rewards and Benefits

• This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement. Employees typically perform this role remotely 1 day per week and on-campus 4 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.

   

University Job Title:

Student Services Asst IV

   

Job Family:

Student Services

   

Level:

D

   

Pay Rate Type:

Hourly

   

Pay Range:

$26.09 - $30.32

   

Remote Option Availability:

Hybrid

   

Company:

Contract College

   

Contact Name:

Keionda Lewis

   

Contact Email:

kll98@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

• Academic Discipline

To learn more about Cornell’s non-union staff job titles and pay ranges, see Career Navigator.

Union Positions

The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined in accordance with the rates in the respective collective bargaining agreement. To learn more about Cornell’s union wages, see Union Pay Rates.

Current Employees:

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Employment Assistance:

For general questions about the position or the application process, please contact the Recruiter listed in the job posting or email mycareer@cornell.edu.

If you require an accommodation for a disability in order to complete an employment application or to participate in the recruiting process, you are encouraged to contact Cornell Office of Civil Rights at voice (607) 255-2242, or email at accommodations@cornell.edu.

Applicants that do not have internet access are encouraged to visit your local library, or local Department of Labor. You may also request an appointment to use a dedicated workstation in the Office of Talent Attraction and Recruitment, at the Ithaca campus, by emailing mycareer@cornell.edu.

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EEO Statement:

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.

Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeks job candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We hire based on merit, and encourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply. Consistent with federal law, Cornell engages in affirmative action in employment for qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and qualified individuals with disabilities under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.

2026-02-23