Department:
UF/IFAS Extension and SustainabilityStart Here. Grow Here. Stay Here.
Join our UF/IFAS Extension and Sustainability team as a Finance and Data Specialist (Business Professional II) and play a key role in supporting the financial, procurement, and data operations that drive our mission forward. In this dynamic role, you’ll oversee department budgets, manage purchasing and contracts, maintain financial accuracy across both County and University of Florida systems, and support staff through coaching and training. If you enjoy problem-solving, working collaboratively, and leading process improvements, this is an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful impact in a fast-paced, community-focused environment. As part of a unique partnership between Sarasota County and the University of Florida, you’ll help ensure smooth coordination across two financial systems while supporting strategic planning, reporting, and department performance goals. You’ll lead data management and reporting processes, guide team members through timelines and compliance needs, and contribute to disaster-related documentation when needed. If you’re ready to use your skills to support innovative programs, empower staff, and strengthen organizational systems, we encourage you to apply today!
In this role, you will be responsible for...
Financial, Budget, and Procurement Management:
Oversee all departmental funds, including budget planning, monitoring, reconciliations, and compliance with County, UF, grant, and organizational requirements.
Lead annual budget development and GovMax entry processes; provide ongoing analysis, fiscal guidance, and expenditure review for staff.
Manage procurement activities, including purchasing requests, vendor setup, contracts, grants, P-Card coordination, accounts payable/receivable, travel authorizations, and deposit processing.
Track and report financial activities across program budgets, org codes, UF funds, and affiliated accounts such as 4-H and Friends groups; maintain accurate financial records and fixed-asset inventory.
Improve and document financial workflows, procedures, and internal processes to ensure consistency, accuracy, and regulatory compliance.
Data Management, Reporting, and Department Support:
Coordinate the department’s strategic plan goals, action items, and performance metrics, ensuring accurate and timely reporting across all programs.
Compile, analyze, and enter quarterly and annual impact data into systems such as Clearpoint; generate program- and department-level reports for leadership.
Lead staff reporting processes by setting timelines, training personnel, providing follow-up, and implementing data entry or workflow improvements.
Develop and deliver training for staff on finance, procurement, and data systems, offering ongoing coaching and support.
Serve as the Department Disaster Field Representative, preparing documentation for disaster-related funding and reimbursement.
Work Hours:
Full-time, 40 hours per week.
Typical Schedule: Monday - Friday, 08:00 a.m. to 05:00 p.m. (no weekends!)
As a reminder, all county employees are considered essential and must be prepared to protect and support the community and its citizens. Each employee, without exception, will have a duty assignment and be required to work during a disaster or declared emergency.
E-Work/Hybrid Work: Enjoy the flexibility of working from home up to two days per week! After your first six months, and based on job performance and departmental needs, you’ll be eligible to take advantage of this great benefit.
To be considered for this role, you must have the following:
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Public Administration, Business, Finance, Planning, Industrial/Engineering, Technology, or a job-related field, with 2 years of job-related experience.
OR: 6 years of professional job-related experience can be substituted at management discretion for the required education.
OR: Related professional program/project management may substitute for the required education at management discretion.
The ideal candidate has the following knowledge, skills, and/or abilities:
Please note that these are not requirements but bonuses for your consideration.
Certification or training in accounting, bookkeeping, or a related field, with strong skills in budgeting, financial analysis, and contract management.
Experience working in local government and/or a university financial environment.
Advanced proficiency with financial and administrative software, including Excel, Outlook, Word, OnBase, GovMax, and ONESolution.
Strong customer service, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to handle challenging situations and work collaboratively.
Demonstrated ability to analyze data, solve problems independently, manage time effectively, and support team morale and goals.
Physical Demands: Employees in this role must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 lbs.
Level II Fingerprinting: This position is subject to passing a Level II Fingerprinting.
Starting Pay Range: $56,139 - $60,000, based on experience.
Our interview process could include phone interview(s), Microsoft Teams video interview(s), and/or in-person interview(s).
If you are selected to join our team, please click on this link to review the Required First Day Documents. You will need to present the following items on your first day:
1. I-9 Acceptable Documents to show your identity and authorization to work. Use this link to learn more and review the different document options: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents
2. U.S. Social Security Card (signed, physical card). This is a requirement of our Payroll Department and failure to provide this document could jeopardize timely compensation. (Your U.S. Social Security Card can serve as one of your documents listed in link above – List C Documents.)
Benefits:
A different blend of voices prompt better conversations, choices and results for everyone. Sarasota County – Many Voices, One Team.
We celebrate and value the experiences, backgrounds, perspectives, talents and strengths that make us different.
Our vision is to attract, develop, retain and engage a talented workforce broadly representative of the citizens and communities we serve. To further value creativity, innovation, collaboration and great customer service – internally and externally.
A job applicant with a disability who requires reasonable accommodation to participate in the application/selection process is requested to make known the need for an accommodation to Human Resources or appropriate county staff members. For assistance with the application, please call 941-861-5353.
Sarasota County prohibits discrimination in all services, programs or activities. View the complete policy at scgov.net (keywords: ADA Compliance).
Sarasota County Government is a Tobacco-Free/Drug-Free Workplace.