Temporary Administrative Assistant, Engagement Initiatives, Volunteer Programs and Alumni Career Services

   

Cornell University welcomes candidates for the position of Temporary Administrative Assistant in our Alumni Affairs and Development division, based in Ithaca, NY. This role presents an exceptional opportunity to contribute to the university's advancement efforts. 

Position Summary 

The Engagement Initiatives, Volunteer Programs, and College and Unit Partnerships team (EIVP) is a supportive, innovative, and motivated group of engagement professionals within Cornell Alumni Affairs and Development (AAD). EIVP builds meaningful connections through maintaining volunteer life cycle operations within Alumni Affairs, offering lifelong learning and engagement through Cornell’s Adult University and Cornell Alumni Travel programs, supporting College and Unit Alumni Affairs partnerships, and providing scalable, relevant alumni career support.   

The Temporary Administrative Assistant provides key support to the Engagement Initiatives, Volunteer Programs, and College & Unit Partnerships team and reports to the Senior Director of Alumni Affairs. This highly collaborative role combines program coordination, volunteer engagement, communications, event support, relationship management, technology administration, and operational project management.  

The position supports Cornell's premier volunteer organizations and committees while coordinating volunteer training, leadership development opportunities, webinars, and alumni career-focused programming. The Administrative Assistant develops and maintains relationships with alumni leaders, volunteers, Career Services partners, and colleagues across Cornell's colleges and units.  

Key responsibilities include communications, coordinating meetings and projects, preparing presentations and program materials, maintaining databases and reporting, supporting content development, administering the CUeLinks platform, and providing exceptional customer service to alumni, volunteers, parents, faculty, staff, and campus partners. 

This position is ideal for a highly organized, proactive, and detail-oriented professional who enjoys building relationships, managing multiple priorities, improving processes, and collaborating with diverse stakeholders to advance alumni engagement and volunteer initiatives. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Provide meeting support for office/staff meetings, both in person and virtual (coordination of calendaring, agendas, meeting materials, setting up space, Zoom participation, note taking, follow-up, action items, etc.)   

• Monitor and respond to routine correspondence that comes to the Volunteer Programs and career services email inboxes. Independently correspond with volunteer leaders, alumni, parents, students, faculty, friends, and campus partners to answer questions, share resources, and provide general customer service—directing questions and requests to appropriate staff as needed.   

• Maintain Faculty Speaker Database for faculty/administration alumni affairs speaking engagements  

• Make updates to external volunteer programs and resources websites, internal AAD intranet pages, and engagement blog toolkits as requested.  

• Code engagement data (event and meeting attendance, volunteerism, speaking engagements, etc.) in internal systems to ensure accurate volunteer participation and reporting. Perform routine data updates and quality checks to support reporting and effective volunteer management.   

• Support financial and purchasing processes including invoices, reimbursements, purchase orders, event expenses, coordination of staff travel reservations, and related documentation. 

• Provide program support for volunteer organizations and their respective committees (Cornell University Council (CUC), the CUC Administrative Board, the Committee on Alumni Trustee Nominations, etc.) including maintenance of various constituent lists and program databases.  

• Provide event and board meeting support for volunteer organizations, both in person and virtual (coordination of calendaring, catering, agendas, meeting materials, setting up space, Zoom participation, note taking, follow-up, action items, etc.) 

• Support all needs related to alumni career support and alumni career-centered programming and strategy, including day-to-day maintenance of CUeLinks. 

• Lead the coordination and execution of alumni, career, and volunteer webinars, including volunteer training and leadership development opportunities for Cornell’s top volunteer organizations. 

 

About Alumni Affairs and Development 

At Cornell Alumni Affairs and Development, we connect alumni, parents, and friends with opportunities to make a meaningful difference at Cornell and beyond. Our success is built on the strength of relationships, a commitment to excellence, and a culture of collaboration, innovation, inclusion, and continuous learning. As one of higher education's leading fundraising and engagement organizations, we recently completed a record-setting campaign that engaged more than 221K alumni and raised $6.7 billion. Joining our team means growing your career alongside supportive, mission-driven, and high-performing colleagues while helping shape Cornell's future. 

Required Qualifications 

• High School Diploma and two to four years relevant experience or equivalent combination.  

• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office (including Outlook Email and Calendaring, Teams, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), databases, networked informational systems, the internet, and communication systems.  

• Must be organized, detail-oriented, able to work with and around extremely sensitive and confidential information. Proven ability to maintain organized and accurate electronic files, records, contact lists, templates, and other program documentation to support effective team and volunteer operations.  

• Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills.  

• Effective verbal and written communication skills.  

• Able to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment and meet deadlines.  

• Ability to manage multiple tasks received from many team members.  

• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.    

 

Other Information

• This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement. Employees typically perform this role remotely 3 days per week and in person 2 days per week. The university reserves the right to modify, suspend, revoke or terminate the hybrid work arrangement at any time. 
• This temporary position is full-time (39 hours/week) with an anticipated end date of December 31, 2026.
• Anticipated hourly wage $24.30 - $26.15

   

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:

Hybrid

   

Company:

   

Contact Name:

Allison Washburn

   

Contact Email:

[email protected]

   

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.

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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 [email protected].

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 [email protected].

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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.

2026-10-14