Housing Contracts & Assignments Coordinator

Cornell University; Town of Ithaca (NY); On-site; USD 55,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Onsite campus

Health and retirement benefits

Tuition assistance

Paid holidays

Job summary

Cornell University is seeking a Housing Contracts & Assignments Coordinator to manage room assignments for approximately 9,200 beds and deliver outstanding customer service across Cornell’s residential system. You will collaborate with campus partners to ensure equitable housing processes and responsive student support.

This on-site role at the Ithaca campus involves occupancy coordination, billing adjustments, policy guidance, and accommodations in partnership with Student Disability Services,

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree with 2 to 4 years of administrative/office experience in higher education or equivalent.
• 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.).

Responsibilities

• Occupancy & Housing Coordination: Coordinate room assignments for ~9,200 beds, handle changes, cancellations and emergency housing.
• Operations & Systems: Maintain housing data in StarRez and ensure licenses.
• Training, Policy & Compliance: Support training and inclusive housing policies, ensure FERPA/ADA compliance.
• Additional Responsibilities: Assist with campus events, committees, and trainings.

Job description

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

• 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

• 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.

University Job Title

Administrative Asst IV

Job Family

Administration

Level

D

Pay Rate Type

Hourly

Pay Range

$26.41 - $30.69

Remote Option Availability

Onsite

Company

Endowed

Contact Name

Brad Stock

Contact Email

[e-mail]

Job Titles And Pay Ranges

Non-Union Positions

• 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 Cornell’s 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 Cornell’s union wages, see Union Pay Rates.

Employment Assistance Compliance (Disability Accommodations)

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 [phone], or email at [e-mail].

Applicants Assistance

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 [e-mail].

EEO Statement

Cornell welcomes 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 individual’s 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 seeks job candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We hire based on merit, and encourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply. Consistent 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.