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Student Job and Wage Classification

The Cornell Student Job and Wage Classification System governs student positions and wages. Hourly jobs are classified into four grade levels depending on job responsibilities, required skills and experience, level of supervision, and degree of decision-making. The student hourly wage is also based on equity within the department.




2007-2008 Student Wage Scale

Grade LevelMinimum Hiring WageMaximum Hiring Wage
I $7.15 $9.00
II $7.50 $10.30
III $8.10 $11.85
IV $9.25 $17.00



Student Job Titles

Grade Levels

Level I
Entry level positions requiring basic skills attained through on the job training. No previous work experience or coursework required. Responsibilities may require the application of basic organizational or technical knowledge, operation of simple equipment or performing routine tasks. Very little independent decision making with regular supervision.
Level II
Requires basic skills acquired through some previous work experience, training and/or completion of related coursework. Responsibilities may require the application of basic organizational and/or more technical knowledge, operation and accountability for more complex equipment or performing routine tasks. Some independent decision making and supervision of other student employees or volunteers with daily on site supervision.
Level III
Moderately developed specific skills, Significant work experience and/or completion of related upper-level coursework required. Responsibilities may include data analysis, independent supervision or coordination of programs and/or projects involving complex equipment or analysis of data. Other responsibilities can include regular supervision of other student employees and limited on site supervision.
Level IV
Highly developed specific skills, completion of related graduate-level coursework or significant previous work experience and training required. Responsibilities can include regular independent supervision and/or coordination of programs and/or projects involving highly complex equipment, analysis of data. Other responsibilities include day to day supervision of student employees, regular independent decision making. The decisions of students in these positions could affect the total operation and success of a project or program. Limited, if any, supervision.

Job Descriptions

TITLE JOB CODE DESCRIPTION
Student Academic Services Assistant I 10871 [A005] Provide assistance to teaching staff. May be responsible for proctoring exams, grading exams with key and distributing handouts. Some previous coursework may be required. Good communication skills essential.
Student Academic Services Assistant II 10872 [B005] Assist teaching staff with demonstrations, developing/finalizing homework assignments, tutoring, grading tests and assistance with lab sessions. Assist with operation/maintenance of laboratory and facilities. May supervise other students. Previous coursework or experience required.
Student Academic Services Assistant III 10873 [C005] Provide technical and other supportive assistance to teaching staff. Ability to work with a variety of people. Good communication and organizational skills necessary. Must be able to collect and summarize technical data. Must be able to assist with course syllabus preparation, instruction of students during class and advising of students. Undergraduate degree with specific coursework in area of project/teaching required. Graduate education in the field may be necessary.
Student Academic Services Assistant IV 10874 [D005] Lead instructional sessions under general guidance of teaching staff. Operate remote video and audio equipment. Videotape university seminar. Duties may include course preparation and planning of sessions, editing master tapes, providing emergency repairs to equipment, and securing all video equipment at conclusion of seminars. Involves considerable independent work, decision-making and familiarity with video techniques.
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TITLE JOB CODE DESCRIPTION
Student Administrative Assistant I 10876 [A003] Assist with basic administrative functions of an office. Must have good communication and organizational skills. Ability to work with various publics necessary. May be required to assist with special projects, basic bookkeeping, preparation of publications and/or newsletters, preparation of fund raising events and researching/writing articles for publication.
Student Administrative Assistant II 10877 [B003] Assist with administrative functions of an office. Previous relevant work experience required. Assist with special projects, do research, keep accurate records, handle money, act as receptionists, prepare budget records, plan departmental activities, preparation of publication materials, maintain accounting records. Good communication, organizational and supervisory skills necessary. Must be able to work with a variety of people and meet deadlines.
Student Administrative Assistant III 10878 [C003] Oversee total operation of an entire unit. Knowledge of all equipment related to unit. Ability to work with minimum supervision and make independent decisions. Duties may include preparing payroll, budge analysis, write/edit articles for campus wide distribution, translation of language(s), orientation and training of student employees, special projects as assigned.
Student Administrative Assistant IV 10879 [D003] Serves I an internship capacity for a department. Oversees, coordinates, monitors and/or develops a programs for a unit or department. May involve special projects requiring independent decision-making, advanced coursework/degree and/or the ability to work without supervision. Knowledge of technical, complex subject areas may be required. Duties might include counseling, analysis of data, editing manuscripts for publication, preparing material for dissemination to Cornell's internal and/or external publics, knowledge of budgeting and accounting procedures. Extensive use of personal computers may be involved.
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TITLE JOB CODE DESCRIPTION
Student Art/Entertainment Assistant I 10880 [A004] Good organizational ability and willingness to pay attention to detail essential. Mechanical aptitude for audiovisual equipment may be required. Must be able to work with various publics. Assist with special projects or research as needed.
Student Art/Entertainment Assistant II 10881 [B004] Previous relevant work experience or demonstrated expertise in specific area required. Ability to create and develop a marketing campaign. May require submission of an art portfolio, graphic arts background or architectural drafting experience.
Student Art/Entertainment Assistant III 10882 [C004] Extensive knowledge and expertise in specific areas. May be required to supervise other university employees. Creative abilities and willingness to work with deadlines necessary.
Student Art/Entertainment Assistant IV 10883 [D004] Accomplished musical skills and ability to perform, perceive, choose and/or compose appropriate music. Ability to play wide variety of musical styles. Duties in this category may also include modeling for studio/drawing classes. Previous experience preferred.
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TITLE JOB CODE DESCRIPTION
Student Athletic Service Assistant I 10884 [A002] Responsible for general supervision and/or activities at specific athletic activities. Position may require basic first aid knowledge including CPR. Knowledge of specific equipment or sports terminology may be necessary.
Student Athletic Service Assistant II 10885 [B002] Responsible for specific athletic event/area. Enforce departmental rules and regulations. May require knowledge of basic first aid to include CPR and/or Water Safety Instructor certification. Ability to experience with possible supervisory responsibilities.
Student Athletic Service Assistant III 10886 [C002] Previous experience in specific athletic area required. Ability to make decisions, supervise student employees and work with large populations necessary. Must know basic first aid and CPR.
Student Athletic Service Assistant IV 10887 [D002] Assist in all drills and scrimmages. Responsible for coverage of home/away contest for one intercollegiate team during one, two, and/or three of the seasons as assigned by the supervisor of student trainers. Duties may include counseling and/or instruction of various athletic classes. Documentation of all injuries and the treatment given. Must be required to supervise in the dorms and/or at night activities.
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TITLE JOB CODE DESCRIPTION
Student Services/Community Assistant I 10888 [A007] Provide supportive services to students. Assist with implementation of activities relating to a specific program or department. Ability to deal effectively with various publics and ensure compliance of university regulations/policies. Good communication and organizational skills are necessary. Valid driver's license may be required.
Student Services/Community Assistant II 10889 [B007] Provide support to areas primarily targeting student services. Act as reference source for questions/concerns relating to student activities or the Cornell community. Assist with training sessions to promote living, working, and learning environments that are physically and environmentally safe. May supervise other students, develop educational/informational materials, ensure building security, maintain equipment, and conduct walking tours. Good written and oral communication skills are required.
Student Services/Community Assistant III 10890 [C007] Responsible for specific area that provides supportive service(s) to students and/or Cornell/Ithaca community. Must interact well with various populations and have the ability to meet deadlines. Excellent communication and organizational skills required. Experience with computer word processing necessary.
Student Services/Community Assistant IV 10891 [D007] Provides legal, medical, or management assistance under general supervision of university staff member. Extensive training, experience, expertise, and advanced coursework in specific field are required. Ensure compliance of university regulations/policies. Degree in field may be required.
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TITLE JOB CODE DESCRIPTION
Student Computer Assistant I 10892 [B010] Operate and maintain computer equipment. Ability to write and test entry-level computer programs. Train and support staff and/or students in the use of software and hardware. Maintain and update manuals. Ability to establish and/or customize systems according to specific needs of an office. Coursework and experience in major programming languages and corresponding software and hardware equipment.
Student Computer Assistant II 10893 [C010] Ability to write and test computer programs. Two years troubleshooting experience and extensive knowledge of current state-of-the-art equipment. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with students/staff/faculty as needed concerning systems and programs.
Student Computer Assistant III 10894 [D010] Offers specialized computer support that requires highly complex computer knowledge and skills. Duties may include programming, analysis work and/or system development. Typically acts as a consultant to departmental staff/faculty.
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TITLE JOB CODE DESCRIPTION
Student Food/Hospitality Assistant I 10896 [A008] Assist in preparation of food set-up, service and clean-up in dining facilities. Good public relations skills necessary. Must meet minimum age requirement for alcoholic beverage sales
Student Food/Hospitality Assistant II 10897 [B008] Provide courteous, professional service to guests/patrons. Assist in preparation of food set-up, service and clean-up in dining facilities. Assist with training of new employees. Supervise banquets and other large-scale functions. Supervise other student cooks in preparation and service of hot foods for large-scale food service operations. Knowledge of complex machinery or lab equipment.
Student Food/Hospitality Assistant III 10898 [C008] Conduct analysis including computer use of data for research. Ability to work independently. Experience in animal slaughter, meat processing and sanitation may be required.
Student Food/Hospitality Assistant IV 10899 [D008] Responsible for specific area and all functions involved within that area. Excellent communication and organizational skills required along with the ability to work effectively with a variety of publics. Extensive experience required along with advanced coursework or degree in field. Must be able to supervise a variety of people.
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TITLE JOB CODE DESCRIPTION
Student Labor/Facilities Assistant I 10900 [A001] Perform routine duties in specified area(s) and/or maintenance on specific equipment. Experience/familiarity required with basic hand tools and simple machinery. May be required to perform manual labor such as moving furniture and lifting heavy items. May be required to operate standard motor vehicle to transport people and goods to specific locations.
Student Labor/Facilities Assistant II 10901 [B001] Assist Cornell staff and/or other professional personnel in construction and/or maintenance of university facilities and equipment. Previous training /experience with specific tools or equipment is required. Experience in research and report writing procedures may be necessary. Position may require a valid Class C diver's license and/or high level of physical fitness and endurance.
Student Labor/Facilities Assistant III 10902 [C001] Prepare prototype models under directions of university staff and/or faculty. Update maps utilizing knowledge of campus topography or utility facilities. Position may require extensive knowledge and/or coursework in architectural design or drafting. May be required to possess a Class II Chauffeur license.
Student Labor/Facilities Assistant IV 10903 [D001] Designs, maintains records and oversees construction of site projects. Perform field inspections, to possibly include review of telecommunications installations, on various construction projects. May require ability to prepare and interpret complex drawings for construction contracts and supervisory experience. Familiarity with construction protocol and procedures and demonstrated ability to deal with the public.
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TITLE JOB CODE DESCRIPTION
Student Library Assistant I 10904 [A009] Assist staff with daily, routine library operations. Duties may include library searches, general office work, data entry, assisting patrons, book repairs, and maintaining statistics. Good manual dexterity necessary for specified tasks.
Student Library Assistant II 10905 [B009] Perform complex library tasks with minimal supervision. Ability to work effectively with the public. May oversee operation of library unit in absence of regular staff member(s). May supervise other students. Requires ability to make independent decisions.
Student Library Assistant III 10906 [C009] Performs selection and precataloging tasks within one or more specific languages. Duties may include complex searching/selection of materials, filing and maintenance of catalog files, assisting users with reference requests, letter writing, exchange correspondence, training of other library assistants, special projects and use of computerized systems. Familiarity with background and culture of specific countries is required. Must be able to read, write, and speak the languages. Experience in library bibliographic applications and work processing required. Previous experience in specific country and doctoral candidate status preferred.
Student Library Assistant IV 10907 [D009] Performs complex selection and precataloging tasks within a specific library collection indigenous to a specific language. Duties include search/selecting materials in specific language(s), filing and maintenance of catalogs, reference assistance, letter writing/exchange correspondence, training of library assistants, use/input concerning design of computerized systems for bibliographic control, and special projects. Must be familiar with background and culture of specific country. Ability to write and speak in one or more languages related to the collection. Ability to use computer systems and work processing necessary. Previous experience as Student Library Asst. III in specific collection, with solving bibliographic problems and collection development experience required. Previous experience in country of specialization and doctoral candidate status preferred.
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TITLE JOB CODE DESCRIPTION
Student Research/Field/Lab Assistant I 10908 [A006] Perform routine tasks in a research environment. Assist staff in laboratory or fieldwork. Dispense supplies to laboratories, clean glassware, maintain inventory, perform assays, set up and conduct experiences. Relevant coursework as well as knowledge of lab equipment and procedures may be required.
Student Research/Field/Lab Assistant II 10909 [B006] Assist in performing assigned laboratory tasks without constant supervision. May act as lead person in absence of supervisor. Must be able to organize work, collect and analyze data, make calculations, prepare reports, keep records, and make independent decisions. Ability to complete assigned special projects with minimal supervision. Requires previous, related coursework and knowledge of equipment used in labs.
Student Research/Field/Lab Assistant III 10910 [C006] Assist professors in development and implementation of experiments. Perform complex laboratory tasks with minimal supervision. Responsible for care of research animals/plants in one or more of the department's buildings during weekends and vacations. Advanced or upper level coursework along with extensive knowledge of lab equipment and procedures are required.
Student Research/Field/Lab Assistant IV 10911 [D006] Performs complex laboratory and diagnostic tests with minimal supervision. Maintains records associated with diagnostic/lab tests. Determines proper tests for research work. Conducts library searches for information related to research problems. May assist and direct clients and/or staff who require the services of the lab. Supervises maintenance of the facility and other laboratory assistant. Extensive and comprehensive knowledge of related course material. Experience with diagnostic and laboratory procedures/equipment required.
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