The Opportunity
Cornell's Department of Government is seeking a highly organized and student-centered Graduate Field Coordinator to support our graduate program and serve as a key partner to faculty, students, and department leadership. This role combines program administration, student support, academic operations, admissions coordination, and faculty service within a dynamic and intellectually engaging environment.
The Graduate Field Coordinator oversees complex processes that support approximately 80 graduate students throughout their academic journey, from admissions through placement. Success in this role requires exceptional attention to detail, strong relationship-building skills, sound judgment, empathy, and the ability to manage numerous deadlines, stakeholders, and competing priorities simultaneously.
This position is ideal for someone who enjoys bringing order to complexity, values customer service, and takes pride in supporting both student success and faculty excellence.
A cover letter is required for consideration.
Primary Responsibilities
Serve as a primary resource for graduate students regarding funding, deadlines, policies, procedures, and academic requirements. Provide guidance on program processes, respond to sensitive and confidential matters with discretion, and support students with professionalism, empathy, and sound judgment
Coordinate administrative operations for the department's graduate program including job postings, placement materials, candidate records, reporting, and interview-related activities,
Recommend process improvements that enhance efficiency and service delivery
Maintain confidential student records and ensure compliance with graduate school policies and procedures
Track academic milestones, examinations, funding, and degree progress
Prepare reports, analyses, and program data for department leadership and university stakeholders
Partner with faculty and university offices to help students access appropriate resources
Coordinate all aspects of the graduate admissions process, which includes managing a high-volume applicant pool and supporting faculty review and admissions decision workflows
Coordinate admitted student visits, recruitment events, orientation activities, and onboarding communications
Coordinate doctoral examinations, fellowship nominations, teaching assistant assignments, and student appointments
Support faculty by managing timelines, communications, documentation, and academic program logistics
About the Department
The Department of Government offers students a variety of opportunities to engage with politics and political science, beginning in the classroom, with the chance to work one-on-one with faculty; by participating in internships, and by drawing on the department's ties with programs across the College of Arts and Sciences.
What We Need
Associate's degree and 2 to 4 years relevant experience or equivalent combination
Strong administrative, project coordination, or program support experience
Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
High level of attention to detail and accuracy
Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
Ability to handle confidential information with professionalism and discretion
Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word and Excel
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.
Experience working in an academic environment.
Experience with CollegeNet, PeopleSoft, and Workday
Experience coordinating large projects
Rewards and Benefits
This position begins with an onsite onboarding and training period. Following successful onboarding, the role 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…