Financial And Human Resources Specialist

About the Center

The Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy, established in 2003 to honor the distinguished life and legacy of Howard H. Baker Jr., is undergoing a remarkable transformation. In 2022, the Center adopted the Institute of American Civics, charged with encouraging civic education and civic engagement across the State of Tennessee. The University also intends to convert the Center into the Baker School of Public Policy and Public Affairs in early 2023, empowering the School to begin offering degrees in Fall 2023.

The Center already has as an active set of student programs and courses. Its two research programs in Energy & Environment and in Global Security are important interdisciplinary centers of research activity on campus, and their engagement activities and events bring steady activity to the Center and its building.

Who We Are

We are a dynamic and close-knit team of dedicated and hardworking individuals who are devoted to research, education, and public service initiatives that address real world problems in local, state, national, and global communities. Each member of our team is a valuable contributor to achieving our mission and we work together to find innovative approaches to moving the Center forward. We are fast-moving and growing. Our work is constantly evolving to meet changing needs.

Who We Are Looking For

We are in search of a solution-finder, someone who enthusiastically embraces opportunities to address novel situations through teamwork and collaboration. We need a hardworking and flexible professional, who thrives in developing out-of-the-box approaches to addressing new challenges. We are looking for an achiever, someone who is searching for a chance to grow their skills and who is open to learning from others. We need a critical thinker who exercises good judgment and who can be relied upon and trusted to provide sound counsel to colleagues and leadership. We need a teammate who is dedicated to public service.

Financial and Human Resources Specialist

The Financial and Human Resources Specialist will be a key figure in the central operations of the Baker Center. This person will be the point of contact to manage and execute all day to day fiscal activities of a growing office. Financial management duties include purchasing supplies and monthly reconciliation of the procurement cards; assisting with the reconciliation of the departmental ledgers; completing transfer vouchers; establishing vendors; reviewing and submitting payable invoices; submitting petty cash reimbursements and honorarium payments. She/He will also serve as the point of contact for facilities requests and other duties as assigned by the Business Manager.

This contributor will also assist with personnel assignments serving faculty, staff, and students. She/he will process and reconcile payroll including biweekly, monthly and additional pay salary types. She/he will serve as a travel delegate which includes arranging travel; managing travel expense reports; coordinating guest travelers and assisting them with travel arrangements and payments. Additionally, this role will assist with hiring and exiting procedures including hiring new undergraduate and graduate students; personnel and position changes; terminations and check out processes; and onboarding new faculty and staff members.

The Financial and Human Resources Specialist will play a vital role in successful office operations. We are looking for talent who can research and apply knowledge of relevant university policy; apply self-motivation for learning software and procedures; have the ability to work independently while contributing to a team effort; and possess flexibility and adapt to change as the organization evolves.