Posted: 2026-08-13
Location: Ithaca, New York
Type: Full-time
Categories: Staff/Administrative
Internal Number: 3-109168
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
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.
Follow this link to learn more about the Total Rewards of 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: cc2654@cornell.edu