Housing Contracts & Assignments Coordinator

Zymtronix Catalytic Systems Inc; City of Ithaca (NY); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Cornell University is seeking a Housing Contracts & Assignments Coordinator to manage room assignments, billing, and student support across the campus housing system in Ithaca, NY. The role emphasizes equitable processes, clear communications, and collaboration with campus partners.

The position requires an associate’s degree and 2–4 years in higher education administration, with comfort using StarRez, MS Office, and Zoom.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree with 2–4 years of administrative/office experience in higher education or equivalent.
• Experience addressing customer service needs via phone, email, live chat, and in-person interactions.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team on projects and assignments.
• Experience building collaborative partnerships with stakeholders.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, database tools, Zoom, and other web-based platforms.
• Occasional night and weekend work during peak periods.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate room assignments for ~9,200 beds, including placements, changes, cancellations, and emergency housing.
• Support housing applications, selection processes, and waitlists with clarity and fairness.
• Process housing billing and ensure accurate financial adjustments.
• Guide students and families through policies, exemptions, and accommodations.
• Partner with Student Disability Services to implement accommodations.
• Serve as primary contact for students, families, and campus partners; deliver service across in-person, phone, email, and chat.
• Maintain data in the housing management system (StarRez) and ensure licenses are issued and understood.
• Assist with housing communications, marketing initiatives, and compliance with policies and regulations.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Adaptability

Education

Associate’s degree

Tools

StarRez

Excel

Zoom

Database tools

Job description

Housing Contracts & Assignments Coordinator

About The Office of Housing and Residential Life

The Office of Housing and Residential Life staff are committed to providing a residential experience of the highest quality for each of our residents. This includes providing a safe, comfortable, diverse, and purposeful living and learning environment aligned with the University’s values and learning goals. Through partnerships with university faculty and staff, HRL staff foster students’ personal growth, critical thinking, intellectual engagement, and social responsibility that is designed to educate, challenge and develop our students. Pillars of our Residential Experience include Belonging at Cornell, Social Responsibility, Academic Empowerment, Culture of Care, and Navigating Transitions.

The Opportunity

As the Housing Contracts & Assignments Coordinator, you will play a vital role in managing housing logistics and delivering outstanding customer service across Cornell’s residential system. You’ll collaborate with colleagues across campus to ensure students are matched with housing that supports their academic success, personal well-being, and sense of belonging. You will directly contribute to advancing these values through thoughtful, equitable housing processes and responsive student support.

What You Will Do

Occupancy & Housing Coordination

• Coordinate room assignments for approximately 9,200 beds, including placements, room changes, cancellations, and emergency housing
• Support housing applications, selection processes, and waitlists with clarity, efficiency, and fairness
• Process housing billing and ensure accurate financial adjustments
• Guide students and families through housing policies, exemptions, and special circumstances
• Partner with Student Disability Services to implement accommodations
• Serve as a primary point of contact for students, families, and campus partners
• Deliver excellent customer service across multiple channels (in-person, phone, email, chat)

Operations & Systems

• Maintain accurate data in the housing management system ( StarRez )
• Ensure housing licenses are issued, signed, and clearly understood
• Support student communications about housing processes and timelines
• Collaborate on marketing initiatives to promote Cornell’s residential experience

Training, Policy & Compliance

• Contribute to training programs on housing systems and operations
• Support development of inclusive, equitable housing policies
• Ensure compliance with institutional policies and federal/state regulations (ADA, FERPA, etc.)
• Stay informed on best practices and emerging trends

Additional Responsibilities

• Assist with key campus events such as opening, closing, and commencement
• Serve on committees and contribute to special projects
• Complete required university trainings
• Provide occasional evening or weekend support during peak periods

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’s degree with 2 to 4 years of administrative/office experience in higher education or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience addressing customer service needs through various avenues, including phone, email, live chat, and in-person interactions.
• Ability to work independently, efficiently, and effectively as part of a team on projects and assignments.
• Experience building collaborative partnerships with various stakeholders.
• Experience working with inclusion, belonging, and wellbeing programs.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.), database management tools, Zoom, and other web-based platforms.
• Ability to occasionally work nights and Weekends (e.g., Opening, Family Weekend, commencement, trainings, etc.).

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

• Previous experience supporting housing operations in a larger, complex university setting, especially within an Ivy League, Big Ten, or similarly competitive institution.
• Experience with housing operations, including housing assignments, billing and operational processes.
• Experience with housing management software systems, particularly StarRez, and other relevant technologies for a comprehensive housing program.
• Experience supporting strategic marketing and communication plans.

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 fully on site and located on the Cornell Campus in Ithaca, NY.
• There is no relocation assistance available for this position.
• There is no visa sponsorship available for this position.

Rewards and Benefits

• This position is fully on site and located on the Cornell Campus in Ithaca, NY.
• 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.
• 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. 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.

About Us

Cornell University is an innovative Ivy League university and a great place to work. Our inclusive community of scholars, students and staff impart an uncommon sense of larger purpose and contribute creative ideas to further the university's mission of teaching, discovery and engagement. With our main campus located in Ithaca, NY, Cornell's far-flung global presence includes the medical college's campuses on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and Doha, Qatar, as well as the Cornell Tech campus located on Roosevelt Island in the heart of New York City.

We offer a rich array of services, programs and benefits to help employees advance in their career and enhance the quality of personal life, including: employee wellness, workshops, childcare and adoption assistance, parental leave, flexible work options.