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Temporary Retail Assistant, Cornell Retail Services

Part-time

Cornell University

Ithaca, NYPart-time$17/hrPosted 1w agoStill listed today

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At a glance

Compensation
$17/hr
Location
Ithaca, NY
Schedule
Part-time
Work Authorization
Not specified

Olive lists jobs from US employers, including remote roles you can work from the United States.

Job overview

Cornell Retail Services is hiring temporary retail assistants for part-time, casual roles at its Ithaca campus and downtown locations. Team members support sales, technology, textbooks, inventory, and order fulfillment while helping customers in person and online. Schedules vary according to availability and business needs, and may include nights, weekends, and holidays. The role pays $17.00 per hour and is not eligible for benefits.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

Customer Service, nice to haveRetail Systems, nice to haveOral Communication, nice to haveWritten Communication, nice to haveLadder Climbing, nice to haveLifting Up to 50 Pounds, nice to haveStanding for Extended Periods, nice to have

Qualifications

Retail or Customer Service Experience, nice to have

Full job description

Explore Retail and Be Part of the Cornell Experience—Where Campus Life Meets Exceptional Customer Service.

Join Cornell Retail Services and work in an engaging, customer-focused environment at the heart of campus life. The Cornell Store is hiring part-time/casual team members (19 hours per week or less) to support a variety of roles across our Ithaca Campus and Downtown Ithaca locations, including:

  • Sales (Ithaca Campus & Downtown Ithaca Location): Assist customers with product selection and provide friendly, efficient in-store service.

  • Technology (Tech Connect): Support tech sales and basic product troubleshooting.

  • Textbooks: Provide course material information and assist students, faculty, and staff at the textbook info desk.

  • Inventory and Order Fulfillment: Prepare and process online orders for customer pickup

The Cornell Store is a central hub of campus life and a recognized leader in collegiate retail innovation. Serving students, faculty, staff, alumni, and visitors, we pride ourselves on exceptional customer service, teamwork, and a supportive workplace culture.

We're looking for enthusiastic, reliable individuals who love working as part of a team and are ready to contribute to a fast-paced, dynamic retail environment. If you’re motivated, dependable, and enjoy helping others, you’ll thrive here.

Hourly Rate: $17.00/hour

Schedule: Variable, based on availability, business needs, and work performance; some nights, weekends and holidays may be required

All positions are part-time casual (19 hours per week or less), non-benefits eligible. Posting is for multiple positions across Retail Services with various schedules. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

General Responsibilities:

  • Sales and Service – Welcome customers and guests with a friendly attitude, actively assist them, provide product information and guidance, and ensure every customer enjoys a high-quality experience.

  • Visual Merchandising – Help maintain the sales floor’s appearance, set up seasonal promotions and visual displays, and regularly check assigned areas for restocking and organization.

  • Point of Sale Support – Operate cash registers, assist customers with check-out, and follow proper cash handling procedures.

  • Inventory and Order Fulfillment – Receive and process incoming merchandise, assist with special orders and store-to-store shipping requests, and occasionally handle seasonal or perishable goods.

  • Customer Care – Support both digital and in-store shopping experiences by assisting with customer inquiries and providing timely, helpful responses.

We Value Your Ability To:

  • Create a positive customer experience by building relationships, sharing product knowledge, and providing thoughtful solutions.

  • Greet and welcome customers warmly into the department.

  • Work collaboratively and effectively as part of a team.

  • Be reliable, punctual, and flexible with your schedule based on business needs.

  • Communicate professionally with customers and team members.

Qualifications:

  • Pleasant and approachable personality with strong customer service skills.

  • Comfortable using computers and retail systems.

  • Excellent oral and written communication skills.

  • Ability to occasionally climb ladders.

  • Ability to lift or move up to 50 pounds when needed.

  • Ability to stand for extended periods.

  • Previous retail or customer service experience is a plus, but not required

No relocation assistance is provided for this position. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position

University Job Title: Temporary Retail Assistant Job Family: Temporary Auxiliary Services Level: No Grade - Hourly Pay Rate Type: Hourly Pay Range: Refer to Posting Language Remote Option Availability: Onsite Company:

Contact Name: Shawn Ruebel 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.

Current Employees: If you currently work at Cornell University, please exit this website and log in to Workday using your Net ID and password. Select the Career icon on your Home dashboard to view jobs at Cornell.

Online Submission Guidelines: Most positions at Cornell will require you to apply online and submit both a resume/CV and cover letter. You can upload documents either by “dragging and dropping” them into the dropbox or by using the “upload” icon on the application page. For more detailed instructions on how to apply to a job at Cornell, visit How We Hire on the HR website.

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].

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 (607) 255-2242, or email at [email protected].

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 [email protected].

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

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.

2026-01-07

How this job compares

Set against the 6,010 open Sales Associate jobs on Olive Jobs, counted November 10, 2026.

Pay
  • This posting$17/hr
  • New York median$17–21/hr268 hourly ranges
  • US median$16–20/hr2,609 hourly ranges

This rate, $17/hr, is 8% below the New York median midpoint ($19/hr) — in the lowest quarter of Sales Associate hourly ranges in New York.

Openings
Olive Jobs lists 315 open Sales Associate jobs in New York and 6,010 across the US. Under 1% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
Hiring the most in New York
Experience
Sales Associate postings that state a minimum ask for 1 year of experience at the median (468 postings).
Education
143 of the 6,010 open Sales Associate jobs (2%) ask for a bachelor's degree or higher.

Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on November 10, 2026. Pay medians are the middle values of the low ends and of the high ends of postings that list both ends of a range in the same cadence (a yearly salary or an hourly rate); a range's midpoint is halfway between its ends. Pay and experience figures resting on fewer than 20 postings are left out.

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