Assistant to the Department Chair of Astronomy

About the Department of Astronomy

Together the Department of Astronomy andCornell Center for Astrophysics and Planetary Sciencerepresent one of the world's leading institutes for space science with over 110 active researchers.Research emphasesinclude cosmology, solar system exploration, exoplanet science, and fundamental astrophysics. Graduate students, early career researchers and undergraduates, are actively engaged in current NASA missions, NSF consortia, andCCAT-Prime/FYST. The department and center also run an extensive and robustoutreach program to the broader community. The Department of Astronomy hosts 24 faculty members, 36 graduate students, and 14 undergraduate majors.

The Opportunity

The Department of Astronomy and the Center for Astrophysics and Planetary Science seeks an Assistant to the Department Chair to provide high-level administrative support in a dynamic, academic environment. In this pivotal role, you will work independently and collaboratively to support the Chair, the Center Director, manage administrative functions, and play a vital role in supporting our undergraduate programs, faculty, and special events. Key Responsibilities include:

Chair's Administrative Support

• Serve as a trusted assistant to the Chair, coordinating professorial reviews, tenure processes, promotions, and faculty awards.
• Maintain the Chair's calendar, schedule faculty meetings, faculty candidate interviews, and faculty retreats.
• Provide administrative support to departmental and visiting faculty.
• Prepare confidential materials and reports, serving as a liaison between faculty and the Chair. Take meeting minutes.

Administrative Academic Support

• Support course enrollment, schedule discussions and labs, and provide Canvas support for Astronomy courses.
• Support undergraduate academic programming by assisting with course scheduling, catalog updates, student advising, and backing up others on the team.
• Admin support for all astronomy classes, including classroom scheduling, maintaining course catalogue, grade submission, class enrollments, and materials used.
• Participate in team planning meetings, contributing to the organization of academic semesters.

General Office and Reception

• Welcome visitors and serve as receptionist for the Chair and Center Director's offices.
• Maintain the Center Director's calendar and schedule meetings/appointments.
• Provide administrative support for departmental presentations and manage conference room scheduling. Provide backup to the main office as needed.

Event Coordination

• Coordinate department events, including Fall Welcome, Holiday Gatherings, and award ceremonies, and other events that foster community and engagement among faculty, staff, and students.

CCAT Project Support

• Serve as administrative assistant for CCAT project group.
• Organize and prepare materials for monthly and bi-annual meetings, take minutes, track resolutions, and maintain CCAT's collaborative meeting site.

Additional Departmental Support

• Maintain departmental websites, including updates for news, personnel, and events.
• Participate in projects or other duties as assigned with occasional work responsibility falling above or below current classification.

In this role, you'll be part of a department that values discovery, inclusivity, and a collaborative work environment. Our team supports one another, and we are committed to professional growth and development. This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the success of the department and its academic mission. If you are a positive and highly capable administrative professional, we encourage you to apply with your resume and cover letter. Join us in supporting the next generation of astronomers and scientists as we explore the universe together!

What We Need

All applications must include a resume and cover letter for full consideration.

• Associate's degree and 2 to 4 years relevant experience or equivalent combination
• Exceptional organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure.
• Ability to maintain utmost discretion, integrity, and professionalism in the management of sensitive/confidential materials and information.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with varied audiences; to create a welcoming environment; and to effectively manage multiple competing deadlines, assignments and projects in a proactive, solution-oriented manner while setting priorities appropriately and paying close attention to details and accuracy.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, use sound judgment in decision making, and contribute to the development of a highly successful, team-oriented work environment.
• Must be flexible and have strong customer service skills.
• 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.

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.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, PeopleSoft, Salesforce, and website updating platforms.
• 3-5 years' experience in an office setting.

Rewards and Benefits

• This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement. Employees typically perform this role remotely 2 days per week and on-campus 3 days per week. The university reserves the right to modify, suspend, revoke, or terminate the hybrid work arrangement at any time.
• 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.
• 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.

No visa sponsorship or relocation assistance is available for this position.

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 strongly encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.

Familiarize yourself with Cornell's COVID-19 workplace guidance as well as the university's COVID-19 services and information.

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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.