Main Office Administrative 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 Main Office Administrative Assistant plays a vital role in supporting the efficient operation of the department’s main office. This position is responsible for greeting and directing visitors, responding to phone and email inquiries, handle mail and correspondence, and providing general department-wide support.

As the first point of contact for visitors and students, they will support the daily operations of the department’s main office and provide training and guidance related to procurement and travel processes. The position also serves as backup to the Department Chair’s Assistant and other administrative staff as needed.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the first point of contact for visitors and students, providing a professional and welcoming environment.
• Manage incoming communications, including phone calls, emails, and written correspondence.
• Coordinate classroom scheduling and assist with department meetings and events.
• Oversee office management tasks, including maintaining directories, managing office supplies, ensuring equipment functionality, overseeing keys and access, and keeping shared spaces organized.
• Serve as subject matter expert, providing training and guidance related to procurement and travel processes.
• Contribute to a culture of belonging by communicating respectfully across differences, collaborating with others, supporting inclusion, and promoting a healthy and supportive work environment.

Success Factors

• Punctual and Accessible: Essential for managing the front desk, greeting visitors, and ensuring that calls and inquiries are handled promptly.
• Strong Organizational Skills: Crucial for managing schedules, maintaining office supplies, and keeping the workspace orderly.
• Excellent Communication Abilities: Important for interacting with visitors, handling phone calls, and managing correspondence effectively.
• Proficiency with Office Software: Necessary for tasks such as data entry, document preparation, and managing emails and calendars.
• Adaptable and Versatile Multi-Tasker: Key for handling a variety of tasks simultaneously and adjusting to changing priorities and needs.

What We Need

A resume and cover letter are required for further consideration.

• High school diploma with 2–4 years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Strong problem-solving abilities with excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, and collaborate effectively as part of a team.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in common computer software, including Microsoft Office and Adobe applications.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks, adapt to changing priorities, and maintain professionalism in a busy office environment.
• Proven ability to work effectively under pressure, exercise sound judgment, balance competing priorities, and resume tasks efficiently after interruptions.
• Experience incorporating the perspectives of multiple communities. 

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.

• Associate’s degree
• Knowledge of Cornell University systems and software.
• Prior experience working in an academic or research-focused environment.

This is a part-time (25 hours per week) Contract College position based in Ithaca, NY and is fully on-site. The scheduled work hours are Monday through Thursday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Due to the reception responsibilities of this role, a hybrid or remote schedule is not available.

Rewards and Benefits

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:

Administrative Asst III

   

Job Family:

Administration

   

Level:

C

   

Pay Rate Type:

Hourly

   

Pay Range:

$24.30 - $26.15

   

Remote Option Availability:

Onsite

   

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.

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2026-02-05