Careers at UMass Amherst

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Summary

The SATF Financial Advisor will provide financial advising for the Student Government Association (SGA) and its Registered Student Organizations (RSO’s) funded through the Student Activities Trust Fund (SATF); educate, advise, and counsel students on acquiring life skills, leadership skills, and promote organizational development in student groups. 

This position will serve as the primary resource for student budget processes that recommend the allocation of mandatory student activities fees exceeding $2.5 million annually.

Essential Functions

• Provide analysis, advice, and training to student governance officers and committees to facilitate and strengthen student participation in and responsibility for the development of sound financial management policies and planning for the Student Activities Trust Fund.
• Provide orientation to University requirements and systems, assist in the development of internal policies and systems, analyze data and provide reports on financial activity and trends, research historical information, and develop financial projections to inform student decision-making and the preparation of annual budget requests.
• Advise RSO financial officers/treasures on best practices and University policies and systems for managing budgets, monitoring account statements and transactions, maintaining group ledgers and other records, and developing RSO policies and procedures that facilitate RSO operations, planning, and performance.
• Design, plan, and implement multimodal trainings for student leaders on financial operations and businesses processes. Collaborate with Student Engagement & Leadership (SEL) staff to define finance-oriented student learning outcomes from participation in student organizations. Provide assessment of training effectiveness and financial practices.
• Monitor SATF financial activity; identify areas of concern and bring to the attention of student leaders and supervisor. For areas of concern already identified, provide regular reporting of financial activity and performance.
• Provide functional supervision and approve paid hours for SGA financial officers and staff, including Secretary of Finance, Ways & Means Chair, Finance Chair, and SGA auditors. Promote teamwork among the officers and consistency in the application of SGA policies. Provide advisor approval on related purchase requests and financial transactions appropriate to University policies and procedures.
• Regularly attend and serve as advisor to the SGA Ways & Means and Finance Committees.
• Serve as liaison with Technology Services staff responsible for the maintenance and replacement of SATF-funded IT equipment. Report problems, authorize student account requests, and coordinate budget requests with funding committees.
• Support year-round programs and initiatives coordinated by other Student Affairs and Campus Life departments as directed.  Including collaborating with staff in New Student Orientation and Transitions for Summer and Winter sessions.
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Other Functions

• Perform related duties as assigned or required. Understand responsibilities with respect to Title IX, Clery and other compliance requirements.
• Demonstrate capacity, skill, and willingness to engage students and contribute to student success.
• Understand responsibilities with respect to conflicts of interest and behaves in ways consistent both with law and university policy.
• Contribute toward creating a positive and respectful workplace. Use access to sensitive and/or not yet public university related information only in the performance of the responsibilities of position and exercise care to prevent unnecessary disclosure to others.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Bachelor’s degree with three (3) years’ experience teaching students, advising, or business experience. OR Associate’s degree with five (5) years’ experience teaching students, advising, or business experience.
• Professional finance experience managing budgets, budget analysis and projections, or accounting procedures.
• Demonstrated experience in using technology to increase efficiency, accessibility, and quality of financial practices. Demonstrated experience with Microsoft Office Suite, including Teams and Excel.
• Demonstrated experience in training and workshop design.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.  Demonstrated skill working with a diverse population of colleagues and students.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills. 

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Experience in higher education.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

• Typical office environment.

Work Schedule

• Monday – Friday; 8:30am-5:00pm.
• Some evening and weekend hours required.

Salary Information

Level 25

PSU Hiring Ranges

Special Instructions to Applicants

Upload your resume and cover letter along with your completed application. Our team will check references at the final stage of the interview process. Please be prepared to provide contact information for at least three (3) professional references. This posting will remain open until position is filled or the advertised closing date, whichever occurs first. Early submissions are recommended. 

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University.  To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans.  It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.