CALS Office of Academic Programs (OAP) Administrative Assistant and Project Coordinator (Hybrid)

 The Opportunity 

CALS Office of Academic Programs (OAP) at Cornell University is seeking a highly organized, personable, and proactive Administrative Assistant and Project Coordinator to serve as a key partner to senior academic leadership within the Office of Academic Programs (OAP). 

This is a dynamic, high-visibility role supporting multiple leaders—including the Associate Dean, Assistant Dean, and Director—while coordinating programs, managing operations, and serving as a central point of contact across a collaborative team. 

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys collaborating with others, confidently navigates competing priorities, and takes initiative to ensure operations run efficiently and effectively. 

About the Department  

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 CALS Office of Academic Programs provides support and oversight for the Office of Admissions, the Office of Student Services, the Office of Curriculum Development and Instructional Support (OCDIS), and the Office of Professional Programs and Extended Learning (OPPEL). These offices collaborate on recruitment, enrollment, degree attainment, career development and academic support for all CALS Undergraduate and Professional Masters Students. The office also oversees the curricular and compliance efforts across the college. 

This is a regular, full-time, benefits eligible position at 39-hours per week.  

What We Need 

• Associate’s degree and 4 to 6 years relevant experience as an Administrative Assistant or equivalent combination.   

• Proficiency in database management, budget management, and electronic calendaring. 

• Prior experience with Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook. 

• Excellent communication skills  

• Strong verbal and written skills as well as an ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality. 

• Ability to interact effectively and easily with the Associate and Assistant Deans, Directors, faculty, staff and with the other Administrative Assistants. 

• Demonstrated experience as an independent thinker and self-motivated. 

• Knowledge of Cornell policies and procedures. 

• Able to work effectively with faculty, administrators and staff. 

• Able to conduct a diverse set of tasks with poise, confidence and independence within a team-based environment. 

• Proven skills in project management and coordination. 

• Able to work quickly and effectively under pressure, use judgment in accomplishing tasks that are urgent; balance conflicting priorities, and make decisions from a range of choices. 

• Experience modeling values that support inclusion, belonging, and wellbeing.  

You will be competitive for this role if you have: 

• A proactive, self-starting mindset with the ability to anticipate needs, take initiative, and follow through with minimal direction  

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with confidence engaging across faculty, staff, students, and senior leadership 

• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities, projects, and deadlines in a fast-paced environment 

• A high level of independence and sound judgment, including handling sensitive information with discretion 

• Experience coordinating projects, programs, or events, with the ability to track details and keep work moving forward 

• A collaborative, service-oriented approach, with a willingness to step in wherever needed and support a team environment 

• Comfort navigating evolving priorities, solving problems, and learning new tools or systems as needed 

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 

•  5+ years of experience in an upper-level academic setting. 

•  Experience with quantitative analysis 

• Experience with planning and coordinating events 

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.