Human Resources Assistant

Handle sensitive and confidential matters and information with appropriate discretion and judgment; answers questions; escalates complex questions.

Provide direct support to supervisors and employees as issues arise in a variety of staff/labor relations matters; responsible for entering transactions and may assist with contract language questions.

Assist with the recruitment process, providing guidance to hiring managers to reach a well-qualified and diverse pool of candidates.

Screen and may recommend applicants as needed for identified positions.

Review Staff Position Descriptions, may assist managers and supervisors with writing Staff Position Descriptions for new positions, reclassifications, and reorganization.

Provide information to ensure the consistent, effective, accurate and compliant interpretation and application of human resource programs, policies and procedures, collective bargaining contracts.

Provide data reporting to support business decisions; prepare spreadsheets and graphs; may draft presentations.

 Initiate and troubleshoot HR transactions; ensure that all actions are timely, complete, and accurate and that all required processes, procedures, policy, contractual and legal requirements are met; act as a resource in answering Workday related questions; enter non-academic transactions and may enter academic transactions.

Handle DBL, FML, WC and leave cases; track staff leaves, including FML, parental leave, short- and long-term disability, and Worker’s Compensation, ensuring that the necessary paperwork is on file; assist with simple leave cases.

Responsible for straightforward visa sponsorship.

May be responsible for Employee Recognition programs or coordinating trainings.

Enter student employment and graduate appointment transactions into HR system and resolves issues; enter student employment salaries.

Responsible for entering SIP override transactions into HR system.Enter layoff transactions, may assist managers/ supervisors with paperwork.

Review time tracking and make necessary adjustments; review hourly accruals usage based on FTE and years of service.  

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Library HR Director, the Human Resources Assistant (HR Assistant) provides support for crucial HR functions and activities for the Cornell University Library. The HR Assistant will work both independently and collaboratively, using judgement in handling sensitive and confidential matters with appropriate discretion and tact. 

Using judgement, initiative, and discretion, the HR Assistant will interpret HR policy and act as a liaison for employees with other Library HR staff, University HR, Student Employment, Payroll and other subject matter experts. As directed by the HR Director or HR Business Partner, the incumbent will initiate a broad range of HR Workday business transactions to support employment-related changes for non-student employees. The incumbent will independently manage all aspects of student employment operations for over 20 library/Press departments/units and manages payroll for all hourly students and staff, totaling close to 500. The incumbent will monitor and ensure compliance with all applicable laws and policies. 

Position Responsibilities and Major Functions:

• HR Policy Interpretation and Compliance (30%)
• Student Employment (30%)
• Training and Work Location Compliance (15%)
• Payroll and Time Tracking (15%)
• Other position-related responsibilities (10%)

This HR Assistant position is located in Ithaca, New York. The position will allow for the flexibility Monday through Friday, daytime hours, to work remotely 2-3 days per week, as mutually agreed upon with your supervisor.

About the Cornell University Library

With welcoming spaces, expansive collections, and innovative services across our libraries on campus, Cornell University Library is a unified community empowering academic achievement and intellectual exploration at Cornell and beyond.  

Library Administration provides strategic vision and oversight of library operations for Cornell University Library. It creates the framework to support excellence in research, scholarship, and creative expression for faculty, students, staff, and researchers from around the world.  

Success Factors

You'll be competitive for this opportunity if you:

• Build trusted relationships through outstanding customer service.
• Thrive in a fast paced environment where priorities shift throughout the day.
• Exercise sound judgment while handling confidential and sensitive information.
• Take initiative and enjoy improving processes rather than simply following them.
• Balance independence with strong collaboration across a wide range of stakeholders.
• Have exceptional attention to detail and take pride in accurate work.
• Enjoy learning new systems, policies, and technologies.

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.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with a proven ability to anticipate needs and provide outstanding customer service.
• Excellent time management skills and the ability to adapt to changing priorities and effectively manage multiple competing deadlines, assignments and projects in a proactive, solution-oriented manner.
• High attention to detail and the ability to maintain accuracy.  
• A strong commitment to adhering to policies, laws and guidelines; exercising sound and ethical judgement, maintaining confidentiality, and handling sensitive information. 
• Proficient in Microsoft office suite, including word and excel. An aptitude and willingness to learn and adopt new technologies. 
• Associate's degree and at least 2 years of relevant experience, or equivalent combination. 
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members. 

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.

• Flexibility to work independently while also supporting the efforts of an overall team. 
• Experience with electronic time collection/tracking system and general payroll operations. 

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, 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.

University Job Title:

Human Resources Asst IV

Job Family:

Human Resources

Level:

D

Pay Rate Type:

Hourly

Pay Range:

$26.00 - $29.52

Remote Option Availability:

Hybrid

Company:

Endowed

Contact Name:

Carolyn Chow

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.

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 [email protected].

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 Office of Civil Rights at voice (607) 255-2242, or email at [email protected].

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 [email protected].

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:

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.

2026-08-10