Upstate New York HERC

About the Department of Public and Ecosystem Health

The Department of Public and Ecosystem Health is within the College of Veterinary Medicine. Cornell Public Health?s mission is to advance equitable, sustainable health and well?being by using a systems-based, transdisciplinary approach that integrates social and environmental determinants of health into education, research, and practice. The program emphasizes community engagement and real?world impact to improve health locally and globally. Its vision centers on promoting human and environmental health together, focusing on prevention and long?term sustainability in a world facing climate change, inequity, and other global challenges.

The Opportunity

The Assistant to the Chair and Director serves as the primary administrative partner to the Department Chair of Public and Ecosystem Health (PEH) and Director of Cornell Public Health (CPH). This role leads the administrative team responsible for carrying out a broad range of routine to highly complex tasks that ensure smooth operations and effective communication across the PEH academic department and the Cornell Public Health program.

Operating within a highly interactive environment that spans academia, research, public health practice, and external partnerships, this individual draws on comprehensive knowledge of institutional policies, practices, and precedents to anticipate organizational needs and support unit priorities. The ideal candidate is exceptionally organized, exercises excellent judgment in managing multiple priorities, and handles confidential/sensitive information with professionalism and discretion. A positive attitude, strong critical-thinking skills, and proactive problem-solving are essential. Highly responsive and service-oriented, this individual communicates effectively across all levels to meet stakeholder needs.

This position reports directly to the Assistant Director of Operations for Cornell Public Health, who also functions as the Administrative Manager for the Department of Public and Ecosystem Health, ensuring coordinated support across both units. Regular interaction with diverse campus partners, community collaborators, government agencies, vendors, and external public health entities is required to coordinate and advance programmatic, academic, and operational goals.

What You Will Do

Executive Support

• Serve as the primary administrative support for the PEH Department Chair and the Director of CPH; understand their roles, priorities, and workflows and provide the appropriate level and type of support needed to advance each unit?s mission.
• Provide high-level executive administrative support, including drafting and reviewing correspondence, managing inquiries and communications, and preparing materials and briefings.
• Coordinate complex calendars, schedule and track meetings and events, and arrange visits from government representatives, public health partners, and advisory groups.
• Support faculty affairs processes-faculty searches, dossiers, annual reviews, third-year reviews, promotion and tenure actions-and coordinate communications and documentation.
• Manage planning and logistics for departmental and program events, retreats, seminars, and public health-related activities.

Administrative Leadership & Collaboration

• Provide guidance and backup support to administrative staff supporting PEH and CPH operations.
• Serve as a resource and point of coordination across academic, research, and community engagement activities.
• Assist in developing and improving administrative workflows, communications, and operational efficiency across units.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Proactively respond to the diverse needs of faculty, staff, students, internal partners, public health collaborators, clients, and external agencies.
• Represent the missions and interests of PEH and CPH in all business interactions.

If you are an experienced administrative professional who is comfortable navigating the ambiguity of a changing environment, likes to jump in to assist a teammate, and has a knack for building effective relationships, we encourage you to apply with your resume and cover letter!

What We Need

A cover letter and resume outlining your interest and how your experience and goals align with the potential for mutual success in the role are required for consideration.

• Associate degree with a minimum of four years? experience providing high-level administrative support to faculty or executives, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• A strong customer service orientation, professional polish, and exquisite attention to detail.
• Ability to develop a complete and useful understanding of Cornell policies, particularly around faculty
• searches, reappointment, and promotion dossiers.
• Superior written, verbal, and interpersonal skills with the ability to develop successful working relationships with countless professional partners.
• Excellent planning, coordination, and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated proficiency with commercial software, including Microsoft Office and Adobe products, with the ability to learn new software quickly; technologically savvy.
• Ability to handle sensitive, confidential information with tact and discretion.
• Ability to work independently and to respond quickly and effectively to multiple assignments and conflicting priorities and situations; ability to prioritize work appropriately.
• Must maintain a valid driver?s license.
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members. 

It Would Be a Bonus if You Have Any of the Following

• Ability to apply creative approaches/solutions to traditional administrative tasks.

Important Notes About Applying

• A cover letter and resume outlining your interest and how your experience and goals align with the potential for mutual success in the role are required for consideration.
• This position is fully onsite.  The successful candidate will be expected to work fully onsite on the Ithaca campus. 
• There is no relocation assistance available for this position.
• There is no visa sponsorship available for this position.

Rewards and Benefits

• This position is fully onsite.  The successful candidate will be expected to work fully onsite on the Ithaca campus. 
• 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.
• Relocation Assistance is not available for this position.

Cornell is an equal opportunity employer. For more information, visit hr.cornell.edu/eeo.

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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

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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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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.