About the College, School, or Department

The Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation (OVPRI) creates an environment that unifies and advances Cornell’s scholarship, research, and discovery through state-of -the-art core facilities, domain expertise, and partnership to enable innovation and impact. We leverage external funding and partnerships, enable interdisciplinary research, and ensure regulatory compliance. We collaborate to successfully translate and commercialize research through companies, startups, and entrepreneurship.  OVPRI is committed to the goal of inclusive excellence. Administrators, faculty, and staff are expected to contribute actively to fostering an academic workplace climate that is welcoming, supportive and creates a sense of belonging for all.

Research & Innovation is a cross-campus division with a university-wide scope that encompasses the Ithaca campus, Cornell Tech and Weill Cornell Medicine in NYC, and significant externally facing activities. The Vice President and staff of the OVPRI frequently interface with senior leaders from New York State, including the Governor’s Office, federal agencies, peer institutions, and private industry.

The Opportunity

The OVPRI HR Assistant is a crucial role responsible for:

Transaction processing by initiating, processing, and troubleshooting HR transactions in Workday for a diverse group of staff members, including non-academic, academic, student, temp, and casual employees.Problem solving issues, implementing corrective actions in collaboration with HR Generalists, and ensuring all employment actions have necessary authorizations and supporting documentation in compliance with university retention policies.Establishing solid partnerships with HRIS, Payroll, and Benefits units, monitor the Term Appointment System (TAS), and manage termination dates or extensions of appointments.Maintaining updated and accurate position descriptions for staff.Supporting the HR team in various capacities including running background checks in compliance with university policy, assisting in the payroll process as needed, and supporting the visa process in collaboration with the Office of Global Learning.Stepping in as needed to assist the HR Talent and Engagement Team, occasionally supporting the recruiting process by posting jobs, drafting offer letters, and processing hires.Providing consistent and accurate policy interpretation, answering general HR questions, and ensuring compliance with HR policies and procedures while providing guidance to managers, supervisors, and staff.Developing skills in HR-related systems and run reports for key human resources metrics.Working on projects with the Associate Director and HR Business Partner, including data clean-up and streamlining activities.Continuous learning and training in key human resources functionalities to enhance professional knowledge and skills will be an important aspect of the role.

Core Hours and Location

Currently, core work hours for the OVPRI HR Team are Monday through Friday, between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM, with flexibility on exact start and end times. Our offices are located in the East Hill Office Building near Cornell’s Ithaca campus. This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement. Your hybrid arrangement will be determined by your supervisor. Core hours are subject to change based on business needs.

Success Factors

You are considered competitive for this role if you demonstrate:

Accuracy, Compliance, and Confidentiality – Ensure precise HR transactions, documentation, and reporting while maintaining compliance with university policies and strict confidentialityProblem-Solving and Adaptability – Identify and troubleshoot HR transaction issues efficiently, take initiative in improving processes, and adjust to shifting priorities in a fast-paced environment.Collaboration and Inclusive Communication – Build strong partnerships across HRIS, Payroll, Benefits, and other teams, fostering an inclusive, respectful, and welcoming workplace through effective communication.Technical Proficiency and Continuous Learning – Develop expertise in HR systems like Workday and TAS, engage in professional growth, and contribute to process improvements for efficiency.

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.You are detail-oriented, conscientious, and flexible.Prioritize tasks effectively, adjusting your focus as projects progress, while also ensuring that pending tasks, which may involve extensive information gathering, are not overlooked.Strong attention to detail is a must. This role necessitates a keen awareness of appropriate response times, as well as the aptitude to follow up for answers and escalate concerns or questions to the Associate Director when needed.Strong verbal and written communication skills are required, as is maintaining confidentiality.The ability to work both individually and collaboratively is essential for success in this position.Cornell University is strongly committed to supporting diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and wellbeing. The HR Assistant must align with this vision and demonstrate success working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Experience in and/or demonstrated commitment to supporting diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and wellbeing is required.Associate degree with 2-4 years of administrative, human resources, or related experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

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.

Previous experience with Workday and knowledge of NYS and Federal HR laws and regulations a plus.PHR/SHRM-CP certification, or interest in obtaining certification, is a plus.

Rewards and Benefits

This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement. The university reserves the right to modify, suspend, revoke or terminate the hybrid work arrangement at any time.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.

   

University Job Title:

Human Resources Asst IV

Job Family:

Human Resources

Level:

D

Pay Rate Type:

Hourly

Pay Range:

$25.02 - $29.07

Remote Option Availability:

Hybrid

Company:

Endowed

Contact Name:

Carolyn Chow

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.

Current Employees:

If you currently work at Cornell University, please exit this website and log in to Workday using your Net ID and password. Select the Career icon on your Home dashboard to view jobs at Cornell.

Online Submission Guidelines:

Most positions at Cornell will require you to apply online and submit both a resume/CV and cover letter.  You can upload documents either by “dragging and dropping” them into the dropbox or by using the “upload” icon on the application page. For more detailed instructions on how to apply to a job at Cornell, visit How We Hire on the HR website.

Employment Assistance:

For general questions about the position or the application process, please contact the Recruiter listed in the job posting or email mycareer@cornell.edu.

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 University's Office of Institutional Equity and Title IX at voice (607) 255-2242, or email at equity@cornell.edu.

Applicants that do not have internet access are encouraged to visit your local library, or local Department of Labor. You may also request an appointment to use a dedicated workstation in the Office of Talent Attraction and Recruitment, at the Ithaca campus, by emailing mycareer@cornell.edu.

Notice to Applicants:

Please read the required Notice to Applicants statement by clicking here. This notice contains important information about applying for a position at Cornell as well as some of your rights and responsibilities as an applicant.

EEO Statement:

Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University’s heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, and we do not tolerate discrimination based on any protected characteristic, including race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex/gender, 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. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law. 

Cornell University embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff to all identities and backgrounds. We encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.

2025-02-04