Temporary HR & Payrol Assistant - Cornell University : Job Details

The College of Architecture, Art, and Planning (AAP) is seeking a Temporary HR Administrative Associate to join our Human Resources team. This is a customer service-oriented role that provides essential human resources and payroll support across the college. As the first point of contact for our office, you will be the face of the AAP Operations office, ensuring a welcoming environment for faculty, staff, students, and visitors. Your attention to detail, professionalism, and ability to multitask will be keys to your success. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, onsite in Sibley Hall on Cornell's Ithaca Campus.

Key responsibilities

• Serve as the first point of contact for walk-ins and phone calls; triage inquiries with professionalism and courtesy.
• Direct employees to appropriate HR, benefits, and policy resources.
• Provide general administrative support to the AAP Operations team.
• Open, sort, and distribute incoming mail.
• Order supplies and serve as the office P-card holder and backup for college units.

Human resources administration

• Process HR transactions for hires, promotions, terminations, and leaves.
• Handle sensitive HR matters with discretion and professionalism.
• Provide backup and general support for HR and payroll processing across the college.

Student & graduate employment

• Manage recruitment, onboarding, and administrative tasks for hourly and graduate student workers.
• Ensure completion of required documentation (I-9, confidentiality forms, Workday applications).
• Maintain student employment tools and update appointment data for directories and systems.
• Serve as liaison for undergraduate and graduate student employment questions.

Payroll support

• Audit time entries and process payroll corrections and adjustments.
• Handle overpayment procedures and ensure compliance with university policy.
• Assist with reports related to pay, employment dates, and policy compliance.

Recruitment & onboarding

• Assist with posting job requisitions and tracking applicants in Workday.
• Coordinate reference checks, background checks, and offer letters.
• Ensure proper onboarding procedures are followed per AAP policies and guidelines.

What we need

• Resume
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs (particularly Word, Excel, and Outlook); experience in basic scheduling
• Willingness to work in a collaborative environment
• Experience utilizing time management skills in a fast paced work environment, balancing multiple priorities
• Ability to work independently, with attention to detail, and according to established policies and procedures

Things that are preferred, but not required:

• Experience in Workday, Airtable (or other similar database software), Kuali Financial System (KFS)

Benefits

• Our benefits programs include comprehensive health care options, generous retirement contributions, access to wellness programs, and employee discounts with local and national retail brands.
• Our leave provisions include health and personal leave, three weeks of vacation and 13 holidays.
• 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.
• Follow this link to learn more about the Total Rewards of Working at Cornell:

Total Rewards | Working at Cornell