Junior Grant Financial Administrator

The Jr Grant Financial Administrator is an entry-level position that provides administrative and technical support for the financial and compliance activities of sponsored research projects.

This role works under the guidance of senior staff and leadership to support the day-to-day operations of sponsored project financial management, including assisting with reviewing and reconciling financial transactions such as payroll and non-payroll expenditures, supporting the preparation and review of financial reports to ensure accuracy and completeness, identifying and escalating discrepancies for resolution, and maintaining supporting documentation in accordance with University policies.

Responsibilities

The responsibilities for this position include

Essential Functions

50% Financial Support & Reconciliation

• Assists with reviewing and reconciling financial transactions on sponsored projects, including payroll and non-payroll expenditures
• Supports preparation and review of financial reports to ensure accuracy and completeness
• Maintains supporting documentation for financial transactions in accordance with university policies
• Assist with Invoicing and reporting activities, including preparation, review and monitoring.
• Identifies and escalates discrepancies to senior staff for resolution.

20% Compliance Support & Documentation

• Assists in monitoring grant transactions to ensure compliance with sponsor requirements, federal regulations, and University policies
• Maintains organized records and documentation to support audits and compliance reviews
• Prepares and compiles documentation needed for internal or external reporting requirements
• Supports responses to routine compliance inquiries with guidance from senior staff

15% Data Management & Systems Support

• Enters, updates, and verifies data in university systems (e.g., financial and research administration systems such as FAST)
• Assisting with Password creation and resets. Maintaining login and account information on sponsor websites.
• Assists with generating reports and tracking project financial activity
• Maintains spreadsheets or tracking tools to support financial monitoring and reporting
• Supports basic system troubleshooting and escalating issues as needed

10% Customer Service & Stakeholder Support

• Provides general support to faculty, Principal Investigators (PIs), and departmental staff regarding sponsored project financial activity
• Responds to routine inquiries related to budgets, transactions, and documentation
• Escalate complex questions or issues to appropriate senior staff
• Assists with coordinating communications across departments and central offices

5% General Administrative Support

• Assists with preparing materials, reports, and documentation for team operations
• Supports process documentation and updates to standard operating procedures
• Participates in training and professional development activities related to sponsored research
• Performs other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Associate's degree -OR- equivalent combination of education and experience.

Degree equivalency clause: Two years of direct experience for an associate degree

Senate Bill 1310- The Florida Senate (https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/1310) is conditional upon meeting all employment eligibility requirements in the U.S.

• SB 1310: Substitution of Work Experience for Postsecondary Education Requirements
• A public employer may include a postsecondary degree as a baseline requirement only as an alternative to the number of years of direct experience required, not to exceed:
• Two years of direct experience for an associate degree;
• Four years of direct experience for a bachelor’s degree;
• Six years of direct experience for a master’s degree;
• Seven years of direct experience for a professional degree; or
• Nine years of direct experience for a doctoral degree
• Related work experience may not substitute for any required licensure, certification, or registration required for the position of employment as established by the public employer and indicated in the advertised description of the position of employment.
• Minimum Qualifications that require a high school diploma are exempt from SB 1310.

Additional Information For Applicants

This position requires a Level I background check.

Hiring salary range: $43,888 - $54,944

About Us

Working at USF

With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF‘s rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement.

In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida’s best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state’s 12 public universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.

About USF

The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida.

U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide.

USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion.

USF’s Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu .

Compliance and Federal Notices

This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check.

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws

The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application process. A request is to be made at least five (5) working days prior to the time the accommodation(s) is needed. Visit the Central Human Resources ADA Accommodations webpage for more information on requesting an accommodation during the application/interview process.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains affirmative action programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws. This job description does not constitute an employment contract.