$26.42 - $30.19/hr

Initial applicant review will begin on or around January 5th, 2023. Posting will remain open until filled.

This contract appointment is eligible for full UC benefits.

The University of California, Merced, is the newest of the University of California system's 10 campuses and the first American research university built in the 21st century. With more than 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students, UC Merced offers an environment that combines a commitment to diversity, inclusion, collaboration, and professional development. With bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs, strong research and academic partnerships, and community involvement, the UC Merced campus is continually evolving and requires talented, knowledgeable, and dynamic educators, researchers, management and staff.

Ranked among the best public universities in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, UC Merced is uniquely equipped to provide educational opportunities for highly qualified students from the San Joaquin Valley and throughout California. The campus enjoys a special connection with nearby Yosemite National Park, is on the cutting edge of sustainability in construction and design and supports the economic development of Merced and the region.

In Fall 2016, UC Merced broke ground on a $1.3 billion public-private partnership that is unprecedented in higher education. The Merced 2020 Project nearly doubled the physical capacity of the campus, enhancing academic distinction, student success and research excellence. In 2018, UC Merced opened the Downtown Campus Center, a $33 million, three-story administrative building located in the heart of Merced.

To set the course of UC Merced’s evolution, in 2021 UC Merced will enact its first-ever 10-year strategic plan. This plan will guide how the values of equity and justice influence our pathway toward earning Carnegie R1 research status, growing enrollment, upholding our identity as a minority-serving institution, and operationalizing how commitments to equity, diversity and inclusion are enacted within each campus unit. UC Merced is expected to engage in sophisticated thinking, planning, and implementation of actions that effectively diversify the professoriate and staff, improve campus climate for all campus constituency groups, and strengthen our equity, diversity, and inclusion infrastructure and capacity.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

This position, funded in part by the Build Back Better America initiative, will be part of a dynamic, successful team to build the future in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley. The mission of our team and this program is to deliver research, education, and outreach programming that contributes substantively to inclusive regional economic development, solutions for a climate resilient future, technological innovation for all, and the future of our food system. The programmatic portfolio has a strong focus on equity and justice with attention to climate, water resources, and inclusive innovation. The incumbent will have opportunities for training and professional growth, connecting with peers and partners, as well as intellectual freedom in problem solving, creativity, and exploration of options. UC Merced offers competitive benefits, substantial vacation and sick leave accrual, and consideration of individual needs. To learn more about the current work environment, visit citris.ucmerced.edu.

Under the supervision of the Director of VISTA, the Financial Services Analyst will provide general budget support and oversight of the unit's operating budgets. Support includes but is not limited to managing budget requests, updating monthly and annual reporting, monitoring budget versus actuals, performing reconciliations, recharge or general rate analysis, and interfacing with ORED Operations on fiscal closure activities. The Financial Analyst will aid the Director of VISTA in administering and enhancing budget practices as well as resolving a range of fiscal issues in imaginative and practical ways. All assigned projects require demonstrating good judgment in selecting methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria for obtaining results and partnering with internal and external contacts.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Prepares simple to moderately complex financial analyses and completes periodic reports to support the Director of VISTA in the planning, monitoring, and reporting of the administrative budget. Provides financial data for respective funding accounts to aid the Director of VISTA in informing key stakeholders on critical budget matters such as budget over/under spending, operational cost savings, and fund reserve utilization. Supports the Director with reviews and approvals on submitted budget requests to ensure funds are allocated to the allowable activity. Monitors available budget balances across the unit’s total budget to protect deficit spending. Helps the Director of VISTA develop funding recommendations to assist leadership decision-making.

• Provides analytical support for simple to moderately complex budget, financial, or resource analysis projects as assigned by the Director of VISTA. Serves as a key budget resource for the unit by addressing the unit's budget-related inquiries through actions such as data gathering, researching policies and procedures, and providing financial system support. These analyses include, but are not limited to, ad hoc financial studies, budget proposal review and validation, and financial system support.

• Performs monthly staffing list reconciliations and supports workforce budgeting and planning for the unit. This includes, but is not limited to, reconciliation of position distributions, payroll allocation summaries, preparing staffing reports, reviewing internal recruitment requests, and tracking vacancy metrics.

• Supports VISTA team with miscellaneous projects and duties as assigned.

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited university in Business Administration, Business Management, Finance, Accounting, Economics, or other related field and one year of directly related, progressively responsible experience in financial services, or a combination of education, training, and experience. Master’s degree is preferred, but may not substitute for the required years of experience. (Required)

CRITICAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Working knowledge of finance policies, practices, and systems.

• Ability to gather reasonably retrievable information to organize and perform basic financial analysis assignments.

• Demonstrated ability to effectively present information verbally and in writing clearly and concisely.

• Demonstrated ability using spreadsheet and database software for moderately complex financial analysis, fiscal management, and financial reports.

• Demonstrated interpersonal skills at all levels within the unit; excellent service orientation and critical thinking skills; and attention to detail. Demonstrated ability using organizational skills to multi-task in a high-volume environment.

• Ability to adapt to changing priorities.

• Ability to function as a member of a team.

• Intermediate knowledge and understanding of internal control practices and their impact on protecting University resources.

Background check and fingerprinting will be required.

How to Apply:
An online application is required for each position to apply.The University of California, Merced is aware that some web-based application processes may be cumbersome for differently abled applicants. Where appropriate, alternative accommodations will be provided. For applicants with disabilities who need additional assistance using TAM, or reasonable accommodations during the interview or search process, please contact ucmjobs@ucmerced.edu.

Equal Employment Opportunity:
The University of California, Merced is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer advancing inclusive excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, pregnancy, or status as a disabled veteran or Vietnam-era veteran, or other protected categories covered by the UC Nondiscrimination and Affirmative Action Policy. UC Merced intentionally promotes and maintains a discrimination- and harassment-free workplace by demonstrating it neither condones nor tolerates employment practices that discriminate against or harass any person or specific group of persons on the basis listed above. We seek candidates who will support our vision to cultivate a vibrant, equity-minded, inclusive excellence university community. When applying to UC Merced, we strongly encourage you to reflect on our Principles of Community and our 2021 strategic plan.

Vaccination Program Policy:

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Program Policy. All Covered Individuals under the policy must provide proof of Full Vaccination or, if applicable, submit a request for Exception (based on Medical Exemption, Disability, and/or Religious Objection) or Deferral (based on pregnancy) no later than the applicable deadline. For new University of California employees, the applicable deadline is 14 days after their first date of employment.

Smoke and Tobacco Free Policy:
The University of California, Merced is a smoke and tobacco free workplace. Information and the Smoke and Tobacco Free policy is available at http://smokefree.ucmerced.edu.

E-Verify:
All employers who receive Federal contracts and grants are required to comply with E-Verify, an Internet-based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA). E-Verify electronically verifies employment eligibility by comparing information provided on the I-9 form to records in the DHS and SSA databases. Certain positions funded by federal contracts/subcontracts requires UC Merced to notify job applicants that an E-Verify check will be conducted and the successful candidate must pass the E-Verify check.

Pay, Benefits & Work Schedule:
For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University of California visit: http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/

This position is eligible for the UC Merced Employee Referral Program (ERP). If you were referred by a UC Merced employee, please identify that employee by name in your application as follows:

Step 5 of 7 (on the application) Referrals

How did you hear about the job? (select) “other”

Additional information? (select) “other”

Specific Referral Source? (write in) first and last name of referring employee

Referring employee MUST be named on application for eligibility.