Pay Grade: 30E

Context of the Job:

Under the general direction of the Chairperson, the Business Administrator I is the primary contact for the Department and for the Chairperson. This role is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day activities of the Chairperson’s office as well as the administrative needs of the department which include approximately 18 faculty, 10 staff, and 44 graduate students and interacts with all levels within the University. This position assists the Department in monitoring and management of the annual operating budget and all financial obligations and expenses. Serves as liaison with faculty and all units housed within the Department regarding research and academic activities, with responsibility for Department and University policy application and interpretation; coordinates the scheduling of all courses; and the general administration and office management. The Business Administrator I oversees and coordinates the Department's educational activities and the activities of these subunits.

The Department of Geography offers BA and BS (in Geography, Environmental Studies, and Environmental Science, Meteorology and Climatology, Environmental Science and Management and GIScience and Environmental Data Analytics) programs as well as graduate programs at the MA, MS, and Ph. D levels as well as graduate certificate programs in GIS and Minerals, Materials and Society. The department is also the administrative home for the Climate Scholars program. The Department has one of the highest student/faculty ratios on campus. The Office of the State Climatologist, the Center for Environmental Monitoring & Analysis (CEMA) and the Delaware Geographic Alliance (DGA) are housed within and administered by the Department.

Major Responsibilities:

• Prepares and administers, in consultation with the Chairperson, departmental accounts and budgetary matters related to personnel appointments and salary increases. Includes monitoring expenditures, performing analyses, providing projections, and processing requisitions.
• Responsible for obligations and expenditures for the Department’s budget; prepares and provides monthly reports, analysis, and budget projections about Geography’s revenue and estimated expenses to the Chairperson. Makes recommendations regarding potential modifications.
• Manages graduate student funding, graduate student contracts, tracks all graduate student awards, and works with the director of the graduate program on admissions and graduation.
• Reviews and approves Procard and departmental allocations and expenditures. Ensures compliance in areas of unallowable charges for both grant and non-grant allocations and advises faculty, staff, students, and post-doctoral associates accordingly.
• Reviews status of all administrative activities in the Department and advises the Chairperson of such status, directs departmental office and routine administrative matters.
• Coordinates the scheduling of all courses with Scheduling office.
• Coordinates the Department’s student activities, including answering general questions from prospective students, coordinating assignment of student advisors, and coordinates transfer credit inquiries from students.
• Acts as liaison between the Chairperson and Directors/Coordinators of graduate committees, CEMA, State Climatologist, and the DGA.
• Provides orientation and interpretation of University and Geography Department policies and procedures for new faculty and professionals.
• Oversees all functions related to HR that are not already managed by the College’s Business Office and works closely with the Business Office relative to financial monitoring and personnel matters.
• Manages the office and supervises administrative and exempt staff.
• Recruits, hires, and provides training and orientation for new staff and part-time employees regarding the operation of the Department and policies, procedures, and benefits of the University.
• Oversees maintenance of departmental offices including space assignments and coordination of equipment purchase and repairs.
• Prepares all confidential personnel documents for faculty, exempt, and non-exempt staff.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree with four years of experience in administrative/supervisory capacity or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Degree in business, accounting, or related field preferred.
• Skill in budget preparation and management. Ability to analyze budgetary expenditures for compliance with approved budget.
• Familiarity with University financial and travel policies and procedures, UDataGlance, and PeopleSoft is preferred.
• Financial and budget planning experience required, as well as effective human resource management.
• High level of independent judgement required. Ability to evaluate the work of others.
• Ability to show initiative and to demonstrate a high degree of confidentially and discretion and problem solving strongly preferred.
• Ability to interact well with people of all ages and diverse backgrounds.
• Knowledge and understanding of the practices of effective office management.
• Skill in directing and enforcing policies and procedures.
• Ability to implement short and long-range goals.
• Program planning and implementation skills.
• Supervisory experience.
• Effective communications and human relations skills.
• Experience in higher education preferred.
• Ability to use advanced techniques in spreadsheet (Excel) with the ability to run reports.
• Demonstrated understanding and consideration of the differing needs and concerns of individuals with varying identities, cultures, and backgrounds.
• Committed to fostering a workplace culture of belonging, where diversity is celebrated, and equity is a core value.