Operations Administrative Assistant-AHDC/PMDS (Fixed 3-Year Term)

About the College, School, or Department

The Animal Health Diagnostic Center (AHDC) is a high visibility and high-volume veterinary diagnostic laboratory that promotes the health, productivity, and welfare of food-and fiber-producing animals, companion animals, and zoo and wildlife populations. Through its comprehensive veterinary diagnostic services, the AHDC detects animal diseases and supports animal and public health, promotes environmental stewardship, and fosters economic growth.

The Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences (PMDS) is the academic home to all veterinary diagnostician faculty and academic staff in the AHDC as well as other disciplines including epidemiology, shelter medicine, ambulatory and production medicine. PMDS has a large and complex roster of faculty with varied primary responsibilities spanning research, teaching, clinical service, and extension support.

The Opportunity

As the AHDC/PMDS Operations Administrative Assistant, you will be a key member of our administrative team, playing a crucial role in ensuring the smooth and efficient operation of both the AHDC and PMDS departments. Your work will span the dynamic intersection of research, academia, and enterprise, where you will thrive in a highly interactive and collaborative environment.

With your exceptional organizational skills and sound judgment, you will expertly manage multiple priorities, handle sensitive and confidential information with the utmost discretion, and anticipate the needs of the departments with proactive solutions. Your attention to detail and positive outlook will be key in driving the success of our teams.

You will be empowered to communicate effectively across all levels, providing top-tier customer service that meets and exceeds the expectations of our stakeholders. Your efforts will have a direct and meaningful impact on the health, productivity, and welfare of animal populations, supporting our broader mission to advance animal and public health, promote environmental stewardship, and foster economic growth.

This role reports directly to the AHDC Director of Operations and Business and indirectly to the AHDC Executive Director and the PMDS Department Chair. Regular interactions with diverse campus groups and external vendors are required to facilitate, coordinate, and accomplish tasks.

Responsibilities

• Perform duties to maintain efficient operations; coordinate building access, plan and coordinate events, perform/assist with capital asset and space inventories, assist with planning and coordination of meetings, conferences, and events.

• Serve as the primary administrative support for PMDS department faculty; provide guidance on HR and organizational policies and practices, support HR matters including hiring and onboarding/offboarding processes, arrange travel and subsequent reimbursements, facilitate IT and facility requests, and assist with maintenance of website content as needed.

• Perform duties as needed to back up the Senior Assistant to the PMDS Chair and the AHDC Executive Director, and for the Assistant to AHDC Director of Operations and Business.

• Maintain a strong understanding of policies and procedures to proactively approach and respond to the diverse needs of faculty, staff members, students, internal stakeholders, clients, and business partners.

Success Factors

• Ability to successfully adapt to, and handle situations with a high degree of confidentiality, judgment, tact, and diplomacy with limited supervision and guidance, while fostering and maintaining relationships across the college and beyond.

• High attention to detail and context, with superb organizational skills and an ability to manage multiple workflows simultaneously in a fast-paced, time-sensitive environment.

• Exceptional customer service and communication skills to collaborate with all stakeholders, convey a positive attitude, and contribute to a positive working environment.

• Flexible mindset to respond to the changing needs of the business.

This position is 39 hours per week, fixed term 3-year position with Contract College benefits, and performed on-site at Cornells Ithaca, NY campus. While normal business hours are 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, specific schedules may change to meet the needs of the business, requiring employees to work early mornings, evenings, weekends, University holidays and scheduled breaks.

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 two years to four years experience providing high-level administrative support, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Demonstrated proactive preparedness to successfully anticipate and respond to changes in the environment or with specific circumstances, with the ability to consistently add new capabilities to ones skillset.

• Event and project planning or coordination.

• Experience in and/or demonstrated commitment to supporting diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and wellbeing.

• Passionate about working in an organization that values and promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, anti-racism, and wellbeing.

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

• Must maintain a valid drivers license.

Additional skills that we prefer, but are not required:

• Previous experience referring to and interpreting Cornell Human Resource policies, especially regarding recruitment and hiring practices.

• Experience working in an academic or diagnostic laboratory environment.

• A strong technical background and proficiency in Drupal, KFS, OBIEE, Concur, AJO.

• Comprehension of office management systems and procedures.

Rewards and Benefits

• Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, sustainability, and diversity initiatives.

• 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: https://hr.cornell.edu/benefits-pay.

• Follow this link to learn more about the Total Rewards of Working at Cornell: https://hr.cornell.edu/jobs/your-total-rewards.

• 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.

• Cornells impressive educational benefits include tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program, tuition aid for external education, and Cornell Childrens Tuition Assistance Program.

No Visa Sponsorship is available for this position.