Program Assistant for the Office of Spirituality and Meaning-Making

Student and Campus Life (SCL) inspires transformation in all Cornell students on their journey of individual, academic and personal evolution. Our division is comprised of leading student affairs experts who support our campus on pressing student life matters including public service, health, wellbeing, connection and belonging, residential living, food services, sports, recreation, career services, and student activities and organizations including sorority and fraternity life. We provide support and services to roughly 25,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students on multiple campuses in the U.S. and abroad.

The Office of the Dean of Students (DOS) cultivates the holistic growth and development of students through advocacy, empowerment, and education. We enhance the student experience by offering comprehensive support and resources, providing co-curricular opportunities, and fostering a sense of belonging.

The Temporary Program Assistant for the Office of Spirituality and Meaning-Making supports the day-to-day operational needs of the unit and its two main programming facilities, Sage Chapel and Anabel Taylor Hall. This position is the OSMM office coordinator and handles logistics for a wide variety of events and programs, as well as orders office supplies, coordinates all AV and IT needs, assists with marketing and publicity for OSMM events, and monitors event and programmatic expenses, including assistance with travel arrangements for speakers and programs. Additionally, the Program Assistant hires and supervises a team of student workers who serve as the first point of contact for building occupants and visitors, ensuring a welcoming environment for all who enter OSMM facilities. In coordination with SCL Facilities, this position assists with building related issues and maintenance for Anabel Taylor Hall and Sage Chapel. As both a front-facing member and behind-the-scenes coordinator, this role is essential to the smooth and successful operations of OSMM and the office of the Dean of Students. 

Success Factors:

• Demonstrated commitment to working with wide ranging and diverse constituents, and an openness to all opportunities for collaboration, especially among a broad spectrum of religious, spiritual, and secular identities and ethical worldviews, as well as other social identities.
• Strong customer-service ethic, with a resolve to be approachable, accessible, and responsive to the multiple publics with which they interface.
• Intellectual curiosity about the broad range of religious and nonreligious identities among students and the larger university community.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written), diplomacy, and tact in addressing conflict and challenging circumstances, with an ability to handle unusual or difficult situations with compassion, sensitivity and professionalism while exercising sound judgment.

*Pay rate: $26.00- $26.50/hour. Please note that this is a temporary position and is not eligible for benefits or visa sponsorship.

While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others.

Required Qualifications:

• Associate’s Degree with at least 2 years of related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Strong level of independent decision-making and organizational skills, including the ability to manage multiple assignments and conflicting priorities.
• Competency in all basic desktop programs: Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), Google Office Suite, and Web Management Systems. Experience with web publishing/maintenance systems (Drupal), listserv maintenance, creative design programs (Photoshop, Canva), and other related systems. 
• Experience in planning events and programs, including event logistics, marketing, publicity, social media, and public relations strategies.
• Occasional evening, weekend, or non-standard hours.
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree with interfaith experience working with people from different religious, spiritual, or secular traditions or worldviews.
• Knowledge of Cornell University and the Ithaca community is a plus.
• Experience at the university level working with students, faculty, staff, administrators, alumni, and guest dignitaries.
• Experience operating and troubleshooting AV equipment.

University Job Title:

Temporary Administrative Assistant, Senior

Job Family:

Temporary Administration

Level:

No Grade - Hourly

Pay Rate Type:

Hourly

Pay Range:

Refer to Posting Language

Remote Option Availability:

Onsite

Company:

Contact Name:

Bri Muscente

Contact Email:

[email protected]

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.

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2026-10-15