Career Center

Human Resources Associate/HR Assistant IV (Hybrid)

About the College, School, or Department

The Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation (OVPRI) enables and advances Cornell's research priorities, including research activities of Cornell colleges, schools, research centers, institutes, and laboratories. The OVPRI advocates for researchers within the university, supports specialized research facilities and services for researchers, provides campus-wide research administrative support services, and facilitates major interdisciplinary research initiatives.

About CLASSE

A State-of-the-Art Facility

Beneath Cornell University's Alumni Field, you'll find our remarkable 768-meter Cornell Electron Storage Ring (CESR). CESR powers the world-class synchrotron light source known as CHESS. It's one of just five facilities worldwide capable of generating high-energy X-rays essential for solid-state physics, biology, material science, and art history research. Over 1000 scientists from across the globe visit us annually to conduct groundbreaking research, contributing to multiple Nobel Prizes.

Diverse Research, Global Impact

CLASSE's ongoing research programs span multiple buildings on Cornell's Ithaca campus. We support a wide range of scientific investigations, from exploring biomedical protein structures to developing super-tough materials for aircraft turbine engines. Our research is conducted by Cornell faculty, scientists, and visiting researchers from around the world, significantly impacting the global scientific community.

The Opportunity

We seek a Human Resources Associate to join the Research & Innovation Human Resources team who is accountable for a full range of support, including transactional, administrative, and consultative. Your primary department of focus will be the Cornell Laboratory for Accelerator-Based Sciences and Education (CLASSE), but they will also cross-train and serve as a backup to other units within Research & Innovation.

Currently, core work hours for the HR Associate are Monday through Friday, between 8:30 AM and 5:00 PM, with flexibility on exact start and end times. This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement. Your hybrid arrangement will be agreed upon between you and your supervisor. Core hours are subject to change based on business needs.

As the HR Associate, you will:

• Be the first point of contact for business transactions, leave administration, payroll processing, data management, and reporting.
• Process Workday transactions, assist with the recruiting process, administer appointment process for new hires, including staff, students, and academics, manage employee leaves, serve as the payroll representative, respond to general payroll, policy, & benefit questions.
• Provide consistent administration of human resource policies, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local laws.
• Possibly represent Research & Innovation in system testing, committee work, and other activities where appropriate.
• Maintain focus on continuous process improvement and customer service to meet the goals and objectives of the division.
• Collaborate with hiring managers to streamline hiring and reclassification processes.
• Provide expert guidance on policies and procedures.
• Support staff HR needs, fostering trust-based relationships.
• Partner with HR colleagues to champion diversity initiatives.
• Assist in crafting job advertisements, managing interviews, and hiring processes.
• Ensure timely appointment renewals and keep administration informed.
• Lead onboarding and orientation programs for new staff.
• Manage administrative procedures for departing staff, retirees, and offboarding cases.
• Assist foreign nationals in securing appropriate visa statuses.
• Coordinate paperwork processing with the Office of Global Learning, including permanent residency applications.
• Maintain visa and immigration databases, ensuring timely follow-up on renewals and changes.
• Manage the CLASSE HR calendar, including tracking commitments and scheduling appointments.
• Keep HR content on CLASSE websites and documents up-to-date.

While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a psychologically 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.

Success Factors

• You are effective with task organization and implementation, coupled with the ability to personally derive a sense of achievement that you significantly contribute to the overall success of our unit.
• You are curious and enjoy thinking about and responding to HR-related questions while being trusted as a "go to" resource.
• You enjoy math and engaging your analytical thinking and skills to ensure accuracy and trust related to salary, leaves, and supplements.
• You have a mid-level understanding of Excel, which is the main format for reporting related to CLASSE.

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.
• Associate degree with 2-4 years of administrative, human resources, or related experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• You are detail-oriented, conscientious, and flexible in performing numerous and diverse HR tasks.
• You prioritize tasks effectively, adjusting your focus as projects progress, while also ensuring that pending tasks, which may involve extensive information gathering, are not overlooked.
• You possess a keen awareness of appropriate response times, as well as the aptitude to follow up for answers and escalate concerns or questions to the supervisor when needed.
• You are a professional who gives grace in answering questions related to HR.
• You work successfully both individually and collaboratively.
• Cornell University is strongly committed to supporting diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and wellbeing. The HR Associate must align with this vision and demonstrate success working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• You have experience in and/or demonstrated commitment to supporting diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and wellbeing is required, as is the ability to cultivate and develop inclusive and equitable 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.

• Previous experience with Workday.
• Knowledge of NYS and Federal HR laws and regulations.
• PHR/SHRM-CP certification, or interest in obtaining certification.

Rewards and Benefits

No Visa Sponsorship 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.

University Job Title:

Job Family:

Level:

Pay Rate Type:

Pay Range:

Remote Option Availability:

Company:

Contact Name:

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 (faculty pay ranges reflects 9-month annual salary)

Union Positions

Current Employees:

Online Submission Guidelines:

Employment Assistance:

Applicants that do not have internet access are encouraged to visit your local library, or local Department of Labor. You may also visit the office of Workforce Recruitment and Retention Monday - Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. to use a dedicated workstation to complete an online application.

Notice to Applicants:

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.