Job descriptions released for new HR, finance specialists

Position descriptions for the finance and human resources specialist jobs created by the improved service delivery (ISD) initiative assign existing job titles and classifications to the roles, along with a refined list of responsibilities.

The specialists will work in the 11 service teams that will provide HR and finance support to departments, offices and colleges across campus beginning July 1, a reorganization that pairs with the rollout of the new Workday software platform for Iowa State's business processes. Staff with HR or finance duties -- or both -- often have other responsibilities in the current workplace structure. The new model for most of the university's HR and finance work is based on full-time specialists reporting to supervisors in their fields instead of department leaders, creating more consistency, balance and opportunity for training and promotion.

All specialist jobs will be offered first to qualified internal candidates and won't post externally unless necessary. Hiring for the positions will be more streamlined than usual, beginning with an interest survey staff can submit from Jan. 9-18. A job showcase event Jan. 8 will give staff a chance to learn more and ask in-depth questions.

A new FAQ about the ISD transition and hiring process posted Dec. 21 indicated a March 1 deadline for employees to decide whether to accept an offer to join a service team. It also reiterated that the service delivery changes aren't meant to reduce the size of Iowa State's workforce and won't impact an employee's salary, in most cases. A timeline for the ISD project, also released Dec. 21, set dates for various steps before the July 1 go-live deadline, and the main FAQ for ISD has been updated with several new questions and answers. 

A Dec. 21 ISD email releasing the more detailed position descriptions noted that the duties listed for the finance positions encompass the breadth of responsibilities for staff in each role. Employees who work in those positions will have a reasonable workload of the potential duties listed. The descriptions include a new ISD position, assistant finance manager.

Here are the basics of the job descriptions:

Procurement and expense specialist

• Category: Merit
• Classification: Clerk III
• Pay grade: 508
• Summary: Procures and pays for supplies, services and equipment. See description for full list of responsibilities and minimum qualifications. 

Finance specialist I

• Category: Merit
• Classification: Account clerk or account specialist, depending on complexity of service team
• Pay grade: 509 or 513
• Summary: Performs various tasks related to accounting. See description for full list of responsibilities and minimum qualifications. 

Finance specialist II

• Category: Professional and scientific
• Classification: Program coordinator I or II, depending on complexity of service team
• Pay grade: 33 or 35
• Summary: Provides accounting, finance and payroll expertise. See description for full list of responsibilities and minimum qualifications. 

Grants finance specialist

• Category: Professional and scientific
• Classification: Program coordinator I or II, depending on complexity of service team
• Pay grade: 33 or 35
• Summary: Works with researchers, grant coordinators, central offices and other specialists to monitor all financial activities and financial reporting specific to grants. See description for full list of responsibilities and minimum qualifications. 

Assistant finance manager

• Category: Professional and scientific
• Classification: Program coordinator III
• Pay grade: 36
• Summary: Oversees the delivery of accounting, finance and payroll support of large service teams. See description for full list of responsibilities and minimum qualifications. 

HR coordinator

• Category: Professional and scientific
• Classification: Program coordinator I or II, depending on complexity of service team
• Pay grade: 34
• Summary: Supports managers and employees with direct HR guidance. See description for full list of responsibilities and minimum qualifications. 

Staff recruiting specialist

• Category: Professional and scientific
• Classification: Human resources specialist II
• Pay grade: 34
• Summary: Provides direct recruiting and hiring support for managers. See description for full list of responsibilities and minimum qualifications. 

HR partner

• Category: Professional and scientific
• Classification: Human resources specialist IV
• Pay grade: 36
• Summary: Responsible for training, communicating and executing strategies, policies and programs. Provides oversight for service delivery and handles complex issues. See description for full list of responsibilities and minimum qualifications.