Program assistant first

About Cornell Law School

Founded in 1887, Cornell Law School is a top-tier law school. We offer a 3-year JD program for about 200 students per class, a one-year LLM program for about 120 students from countries throughout the world, and a doctoral (JSD) program for about 2-3 new students per year. Cornell Law School has 41 tenured and tenure-track faculty, including 20 with chaired faculty positions; and 15 clinical professors in the legal research and writing program and in clinics at the local, national, and international level. Our faculty is consistently ranked among the top in the country for scholarly productivity and influence, and has pre-eminence in many areas, including quantitative and qualitative empirical legal studies, international and comparative law, and robust doctrinal scholarship in core fields. Our school is committed to being recognized as the leader among law schools at combining inspiring theoretical, doctrinal, and experiential teaching with cutting-edge scholarship in a supportive, intellectually rich community, so that our graduates can achieve excellence in all facets of the legal profession.

The Opportunity

Cornell Law School is seeking a Program Assistant to support the important work of its First Amendment Clinic (FA Clinic), which trains students while defending free expression and press freedoms nationwide. The Clinic performs its work on behalf of community news outlets and journalists as part of its groundbreaking Local Journalism Project.

In this role, you’ll be an external-facing ambassador for the clinic’s work. You’ll coordinate outreach to clients, potential clients and alumni, lead communications and publicity, and support fundraising and grant reporting. Key responsibilities include organizing client trainings and seminars, drafting press releases and marketing content, updating the Clinic’s website, and tracking grant deliverables. You’ll also provide general administrative support to the Clinic’s robust litigation docket.

We’re looking for a proactive, self-starter who is a detail-oriented professional with strong communication and organizational skills. Experience in outreach, communications, journalism, legal, or nonprofit/public interest work is a plus. Most of all, we value enthusiasm for the Clinic’s critical mission and the ability to work collaboratively with a diverse community of students, faculty, clients, and alumni.

If you are an outgoing self-starter who is interested in playing a role in protecting and defending free speech and a vibrant press, we encourage you to apply with your resume and cover letter. Join us and help advance meaningful work at the intersection of law and democracy.

This gift funded position is for a two-year term. Employment through the intended term, as well as potential reappointment will be based on performance and funding availability.

The position will be based in New York City. The successful candidate will be expected to work at the FA Clinic carrel located at Cornell Tech (Roosevelt Island) two days a week.

Learn more about the First Amendment Clinic here:

What We Need

• A resume and cover letter for full consideration
• Associate’s degree and 2-4 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, along with organizational, planning, time management, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work successfully under pressure in a fast-paced, team-oriented setting, handling multiple tasks with differing deadlines, and to prioritize work on projects happening simultaneously
• Must be a self-starter, able to handle high volumes of work during peak periods
• Resolve problems using sound judgment
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, Westlaw, Lexis or other legal research databases, presentation, and electronic communications
• Comfort using technology, including social media, and willingness to learn new programs
  
  

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.

• Bachelor’s degree
• Demonstrated interest in furthering free speech principles and supporting local journalism
• Spanish language proficiency
• Working knowledge of WordPress and Box
• Prior experience in communications or as a paralegal
• Experience with Cornell procurement and accounting systems
  
  

Rewards And Benefits

• This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement. Employees typically perform this role remotely 3 days per week and onsite 2 days per week. The position is based in New York City, specifically, the First Amendment Clinic carrel at Cornell Tech (Roosevelt Island). The university reserves the right to modify, suspend, revoke or terminate the hybrid work arrangement at any time.
• The New York Convenience of employer guidelines require New York State individual tax reporting and withholding for this position. Additional individual state income tax filings may also be required if working temporarily outside of New York State.
• 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.

Cornell is an equal opportunity employer. For more information click here.

University Job Title

Administrative Asst IV

Job Family

Administration

Level

D

Pay Rate Type

Hourly

Pay Range

$28.47 - $38.48

Remote Option Availability

Hybrid

Company

Endowed

Contact Name

Brad Stock

Contact Email

[email protected]

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 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.

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Employment Assistance

For general questions about the position or the application process, please contact the Recruiter listed in the job posting or email [email protected].

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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 (VEVRRA) 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.

2025-08-25