Section Heads' Assistant

Respond to complex telephone and walk in inquiries; distribute informational forms and documents with instructions; respond to routine and non-routine inquiries; serves as reference for policies and procedures; contact individuals inside and outside of University on highly confidential matters.

Independently answer correspondence; independently compose and draft forms; format/prepare complex documents; create and maintain list servs.

Maintain office equipment inventory system; oversee and troubleshoot department equipment.

Create and formulate moderately complex spreadsheets, develop databases & materials from variety of information systems.

Respond to routine and non-routine mail inquiries.

Schedule appointments, meetings and locations using an electronic calendar; plan and schedule w/o consultation; arrange programs/events; attend meetings and prepare notes, follow up as necessary; independently compile materials for meetings.

Arrange details of complicated travel plans involving lengthy trips; prepare travel schedule, itinerary and appointment contacts.

Provide program/project support; prepare materials and assist in managing timelines and tasks; manage the program/project calendar.

Coordinate programs/projects including registration, scheduling presenters, logistics, accommodation requests, food & beverage, marketing materials, program materials, troubleshoot issues, etc.

Maintain and update pages within a content management system according to pre-established schedules; make changes to the website as directed; review website to catch bugs, correct errors and typos, fix broken links and cross-link new resources to relevant pre-existing pages; may create templates of approved website layouts.

Update and contribute to social media pages; edit and add content to Faculty support sites, course web sites, employee sites and publication/newsletters.

Coordinate applications, interview, and evaluation process and may track academic appointments.

Monitor department budget for expenses and balances; investigate discrepancies; process charges, P-Card purchases, travel reimbursements; may assist with grant preparation.

Serve as back up payroll approver for online time collection.

Maintain office equipment inventory system; assists with capital equipment procurement function.

May answer computer-related questions from faculty, staff and students concerning hardware and software.

   

The Opportunity

The Section Head’s Assistant is part of the school administration and supports the Horticulture (HORT) Section and the Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology (PPPMB) Section, providing professional administrative support to the two Section Heads.  The sections have a physical presence in both the Ithaca and Geneva (AgriTech) campuses with students, faculty, and staff in both locations. This position is based in Ithaca.

This position provides high level administrative support to two section heads (HORT and PPPMB) and assists with academic section processes, including, but not limited to: coordinating information and materials for the section heads’ offices; managing the section heads’ calendars and appointments; answering inquiries about the sections’ programs; managing sensitive and/or confidential materials – both written and verbal – with discretion; coordinating academic appointments; and fostering excellent working relationships within and outside of the sections; facilitating interactions and communications involving the section heads and faculty, staff, students, visitors, and other college and university offices; supporting academic searches and compiling tenure and promotion packages; collaborating with CALS HR on appointments in both the sections; scheduling and attending faculty meetings and preparing minutes, as necessary.

About CALS and SIPS

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 questions we probe and the answers we seek focus on three overlapping concerns: We believe that achieving next-generation scientific breakthroughs requires an understanding of the world’s complex, interlocking systems. We believe that access to nutritious food and a healthy environment is a fundamental human right. We believe that ensuring a prosperous global future depends on the ability to support local people and communities everywhere. By working in and across multiple scientific areas, CALS can address challenges and opportunities of the greatest relevance, here in New York, across the nation, and around the wor