Assistant to the Director, Utilities Production

About Cornell Utilities Production

Cornell Utilities Production within Energy and Sustainability operate the University energy infrastructure system on a 24-hour 365-days-per-year basis. Production facilities include a combined heat and power facility which provides both the steam for heat and electricity for campus. All the water for campus is provided by a university-owned potable water filtration plant. Electricity from the local utility is fed through a university-owned electric substation. Central Utilities serves over 150 major buildings and nearly 14 million square feet on central campus.

The Opportunity

Are you a highly organized professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment enjoys solving complex problems and takes pride in supporting teams that keep critical operations running Were seeking an Assistant to the Director to serve as a trusted partner to senior leadership within Utilities Production helping coordinate administrative operations regulatory reporting safety training programs purchasing activities and special projects that support essential campus infrastructure.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who enjoys balancing strategic coordination with hands-on execution building relationships across diverse teams and making a meaningful impact behind the scenes.

About the Role

As the Assistant to the Director you will play a central role in supporting the Director Plant Managers Supervisors and a broad team of union and non-union staff. Youll oversee office operations coordinate complex schedules coordinate budgets and contracts organize training programs support regulatory reporting and serve as a key liaison across departments and external partners.

Success in this role requires exceptional organizational skills sound judgment attention to detail discretion with confidential information and the ability to balance multiple priorities in a dynamic operational environment.

What Youll Do

Lead Administrative Operations

• Serve as a trusted administrative partner to the Director and leadership team.
• Coordinate complex calendars and help resolve competing scheduling priorities.
• Coordinate meetings events tours travel arrangements and training activities.
• Prepare agendas presentations reports meeting materials and minutes.
• Respond independently to a wide range of inquiries and requests with professionalism and discretion.
• Support daily office operations and help create efficient processes and procedures.
• Collaborate with colleagues across the organization to ensure seamless administrative support.

Support Budget and Business Operations

• Partner with Finance and departmental leadership on budget planning and monitoring.
• Track expenditures and assist with annual budget development.
• Coordinate contract services and monitor associated expenses.
• Prepare spreadsheets reports dashboards and other business documents.
• Support purchasing inventory management and procurement activities.

Coordinate Training and Safety Programs

• Help administer the Utilities Production safety training program.
• Coordinate required OSHA-related training and professional development opportunities.
• Schedule instructor-led and online training sessions.
• Monitor completion rates and maintain training records and metrics.
• Assist with conference registrations travel planning and training-related logistics.

Data and Regulatory Reporting

• Collect organize analyze and maintain operational and regulatory data.
• Prepare reports required by state and federal regulatory agencies.
• Maintain documentation and records in support of compliance requirements.
• Assist with utility production reporting fuel tracking emissions reporting and budget-related reporting.
• Ensure accuracy consistency and timely submission of critical information.

Coordinate Purchasing and Order Tracking

• Serve as a resource for purchasing and receiving activities.
• Source and order supplies equipment tools and materials.
• Track orders and monitor delivery timelines.
• Coordinate service requests and work orders using established systems and processes.
• Maintain inventory records and support operational readiness.

This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the operations that power and sustain a world-class institution. Youll work alongside dedicated professionals in engineering operations sustainability facilities management and administration while helping support critical infrastructure and environmental stewardship initiatives.

We value collaboration innovation continuous improvement and respect for every member of our community. Your ideas expertise and perspective will help strengthen our team and contribute to our collective success. If youre a highly organized professional who enjoys supporting leaders improving processes and making a meaningful impact every day wed love to hear from you. Apply with your resume and cover letter today!

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 and 4 years administrative office experience or equivalent combination.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills detail oriented and the ability to manage multiple priorities and tasks.
• Excellent knowledge of Adobe MS Word Excel SharePoint PowerPoint and Filemaker Pro in order to create original reports documents and data bases.
• Must possess strong grammar and written skills to respond to and create original difficult and/or sensitive correspondences for the Plant.
• The desire to work in and learn about electric steam and chilled water production.
• Ability to multi-task work independently display sound judgment for setting priorities and handling sensitive/confidential conversations and correspondence.
• Ability to coordinate a variety of events with large groups both within and outside of the Energy & Sustainability department.
• Flexible creative in finding solutions able to follow directions and anticipate the needs of the Central Energy Plant management team.
• Experience working directly with people from various socioeconomic backgrounds.

It Would Be a Bonus if You Have Any of the Following

• Knowledge of Cornell administrative systems.
• College level courses in business project management and/or environmental sciences.
• Experience using Maximo and web content management.
• Working knowledge and understanding of technology and utilities systems in a campus environment.
• Project/program management experience a plus.
• Experience using AI tools.

Important Notes About Applying

• 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.
• This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement. For the first 30 days the successful candidate will be expected to work fully on-site for onboarding and initial training. After that employees typically perform this role on-campus 4 days per week and remotely 1 day per week.
• There is no relocation assistance available for this position.
• There is no visa sponsorship available for this position.

Rewards and Benefits

• This position is based in Ithaca New York on Cornells main campus and is fully onsite.
• 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
• Cornells impressive educational benefits include tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program tuition aid for external education and Cornell Childrens 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.

Relocation Assistance is not available for this position.

Cornell is an equal opportunity employer. For more information visit Job Title:

Job Family:

Level:

Pay Rate Type:

Pay Range:

Remote Option Availability:

Company:

Contact Name:

Contact Email:

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 Cornells 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 Cornells 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 .

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 or email at .

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 .

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:

Cornellwelcomes 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 individuals 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 seeksjob candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students faculty and staff of all identities and backgrounds. Wehire based on merit andencourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to 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.