Administrative Assistant Community Horticulture - Riverhead, NY

Cornell Univ (NYS Colleges & Exper Sta); New York (NY); On-site; USD 29,000 - 34,000; Part time

Job summary

Cornell Cooperative Extension in Suffolk County seeks an Administrative Assistant I to provide comprehensive support for the Community Horticulture Program, including the Master Gardener program and public outreach. The role covers data entry, correspondence, scheduling, and records management, with a focus on accuracy and program efficiency.

The position offers hourly pay, part-time hours (21–25 per week), and requires attention to detail, teamwork, and the ability to work with diverse

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel.
• Ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks.
• Ability to understand written and oral directions.
• Ability to communicate effectively through written and oral communication.
• Willingness to learn new tasks and ability to work independently.
• Willingness to work as a team member and to work with CCE Staff, Master Gardeners and the public.
• Ability to maintain a positive and professional attitude.
• Ability to meet acceptable background check standards.
• Ability to meet travel requirements.
• Ability to work flexible hours which may include evenings and/or weekends, as appropriate.

Responsibilities

• Maintain bookkeeping records for accounts.
• Follow purchasing practices.
• Enter data in various computer programs or into online forms/systems.
• Prepare noncomplex reports for records.
• General clerical/administrative support.
• Organize and process program registration.
• Track grant expenditures and assist with reconciling budget.
• General recordkeeping and file organization for Community Horticulture program.
• Respond to public inquiries pertaining to Community Horticulture via email or phone.

Skills

Microsoft Office

Data entry

Prioritization

Written and oral communication

Teamwork

Multitasking

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Excel

Job description

Job Overview

The Administrative Assistant will provide a wide variety of administrative support for the Community Horticulture Program within the CCE Agriculture Division. This individual will be responsible for support in two key areas: the Master Gardener Program and outreach to the public in Suffolk County around gardening matters. This includes correspondence with libraries and for events, recordkeeping and file organization for the Master Gardener Program, data entry, social media updates, coordinating program registration, ordering supplies and other general clerical and administrative duties.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities will include maintaining bookkeeping records for accounts and following purchasing practices of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma, or GED equivalent.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel.
• Ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks.
• Ability to understand written and oral directions.
• Ability to communicate effectively through written and oral communication.
• Willingness to learn new tasks and ability to work independently.
• Willingness to work as a team member and to work with CCE Staff, Master Gardeners and the public.
• Ability to maintain a positive and professional attitude.
• Ability to meet acceptable background check standards.
• Ability to meet travel requirements.
• Ability to work flexible hours which may include evenings and/or weekends, as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree.
• One or more years of administrative work experience.
• Ability to use and update social media platforms to educate the public about current projects.
• Awareness of the contributions and role of Suffolk County’s Master Gardener Program.
• Awareness of the importance of public outreach around best gardening practices.

Position Details

Salary: $21-$25 per hour

Schedule: NON-EXEMPT – Reg: 21-25 hours per week

No relocation or VISA Sponsorship available

Cornell Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity employer. For more information, visit hr.cornell.edu/eeo.

Administrative Responsibilities

Coordination/Operation (95%)

Perform a substantial amount of limited complexity tasks to support the administration of Community Horticulture Program.

• Coordinate meetings and appointments
• Word processing of correspondence, forms, reports, letters and brochures.
• Enter data in various computer programs or into online forms/systems
• Prepare noncomplex reports for records
• General clerical/administrative support
• Organize and process program registration
• Track grant expenditures and assist with reconciling budget
• General recordkeeping and file organization for Community Horticulture program
• Respond to public inquiries pertaining to Community Horticulture via email or phone

Professional Improvement – 5%

In cooperation with Supervisor and/or Executive Director, jointly develop and pursue a professional development plan as a means to increase competencies relative to position accountabilities and to address changes and Association priorities.

Collaborate in activities that are in general support of Cornell Cooperative Extension and perform other duties as assigned.

Health and Safety – Applied to all duties and functions

Support the Association to maintain a safe working environment. Be familiar with and strive to follow any applicable federal, state, local regulations, Association health and safety policy/procedure/requirement and standard. Act proactively to prevent accidents/injuries and communicate hazards to supervisors when identified.

Job Title

Administrative Asst I

Level: A

Pay Rate Type: Hourly

Company: Contract College

Contact Name: Ashley Downs

Notice to Applicants

Notice to Applicants: Please read the required Notice to Applicants statement. This notice contains important information about applying for a position at Cornell Cooperative Extension as well as some of your rights and responsibilities as an applicant.

Cornell Cooperative Extension is a collaboration among Cornell University, the United States Department of Agriculture, the State of New York, and the residents of New York State.

As provided in New York State County Law Article 5, Section 224, the independent county and regional extension service associations are locally operated under the direction of Cornell University as agent for the State of New York.

County and regional extension service association employees are employed by their association to engage in educational work and are not employees of Cornell University.

Look for us on the web at cce.cornell.edu/.

Notice to Applicants: Please read the required Notice to Applicants statement. This notice contains important information about applying for a position at Cornell Cooperative Extension as well as some of your rights and responsibilities as an applicant.

Cornell Cooperative Extension is a collaboration among Cornell University, the United States Department of Agriculture, the State of New York, and the residents of New York State.

As provided in New York State County Law Article 5, Section 224, the independent county and regional extension service associations are locally operated under the direction of Cornell University as agent for the State of New York.

County and regional extension service association employees are employed by their association to engage in educational work and are not employees of Cornell University.

Look for us on the web at cce.cornell.edu/.