Assistant Director for Extension Business Operations

• CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.

• CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.

• If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click "Apply" and complete the application process for external applicants.

JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

The Assistant Director for Extension Business Operations serves as an expert for the unique business processes, practices, and funding structure within Penn State Extension. Penn State Extension is funded by county, state, and federal funds appropriated only for Extension activities across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Extension's unique funding arrangement requires unique business practices and a unique understanding of the funding structure and its implementation. Reporting to the Extension Director, this position provides that unique expertise with a focus on state and federal funding. The position also provides leadership and oversight to the Extension Business Office, encompassing the areas of Extension-specific business practices, policies, procedures, best practices, financial systems application and support, financial reporting, training, budget management, Extension development, Extension grant proposal and award management, Extension wage payroll management, and special initiatives and committee assignments. The position also serves in a consultant role to Extension leadership and county operations, providing expert guidance and support in the areas of financial policies, banking operations, payroll, Extension-specific internal business reviews, the annual county financial and administrative reporting process (PSCE FAIR), and the annual general liability insurance policy for Extension volunteers.

The Assistant Director will be responsible for the following key areas and activities:

Business management

Prepare routine and ad hoc reports to provide information to Extension leadership for decision-making; Develop budgets; Prepare analyses, trends, and forecasts; Research and solve business problems; Ensure state and federal funds are available for strategic initiatives and hiring decisions; Understand and maintain awareness of federal and state laws and regulations that impact funding; Administer federal, state, grants/contracts, gifts, endowments, and other miscellaneous funds and ensure compliance with funding sources; Serve in a consultant role to Extension leadership to provide support and guidance; Recommend process adjustments to improve business processes and internal customer service.

Leadership

Lead and direct Extension Business office; Provide leadership for unit policies, procedures and practices; Present updates and information as needed; Oversee and manage assigned staff; Ensure staff have the necessary training and access to resources to be successful in their jobs and encourage professional development opportunities.

Daily business activities

Perform a wide variety of daily Extension business activities such as reviewing and approving transactions, monitoring budgets, processing labor redistributions, overseeing IO maintenance, interpreting financial policy and providing expertise on best practice development and implementation, and preparing and processing internal transfers between units for salary and support.

Business reviews

Coordinate and conduct Penn State Extension county internal business reviews; Ensure proper cash and inventory control and account maintenance procedures are in place in county-based Extension offices; Examine business details to ensure expenditures are reasonable, allowable, and allocable to the funding source; Provide written review reports outlining findings and any corrective actions to be taken.

Training

Evaluate business-related training needs; Develop and implement business-related training; Work with Professional Development experts to ensure training best practices are incorporated and used.

Communication

Compose communications (correspondence, white papers, presentations, etc) on complex and often confidential issues; Develop and deliver presentations and trainings to county-based and University Park staff.

County reporting processes

Coordinate the quarterly and annual business and administrative reporting process for County Extension Offices. Ensure required data is reported in a timely fashion and is accurate. Prepare summary data needed for federal and insurance reporting purposes to provide to Central Accounting units (Centre County In Kind reporting and PSCE FAIR reporting).

This position offers a flexible work arrangement that combines remote and on-campus work.Questions related to flexible work should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process.

Education and Experience:

This position requires 10+ years of relevant experience, including 3+ years of supervisory experience, an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted.

This position requires that you operate a motor vehicle as a part of your job duties. A valid driver's license and successful completion of a motor vehicle records check will be required in addition to standard background checks.

The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging in all its forms. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports both broad and specific equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university's teaching, research, and service mission.

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades is:

Salary Structure - additional information on Penn State's job and salary structure.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS: