Position Title:Budget and Finance Specialist III
Job Group:Professional & Scientific
Required Minimum Qualifications:Bachelor's degree and 5 years of related experience
Preferred Qualifications:Degree in accounting, finance, business, or related field
Experience in budgeting, forecasting and financial accountability
Experience in developing complex spreadsheets and using databases
Experience with financial management systems such as Workday
Experience with fund accounting in a higher education, governmental, or non-profit organizational setting including various funding sources and restrictions
Job Description:
The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) at Iowa State University is seeking a detail-oriented and strategic Budget and Finance Specialist III to provide comprehensive financial management support for the Department of Agriculture and Biosystems Engineering (ABE), a department jointly administered between the College of Ag and Life Sciences and the College of Engineering. This position plays a key role in managing budgets, overseeing complex financial operations, and providing data-driven insights that support effective resource utilization and decision-making.
Key Responsibilities:
Advise department and center leaders on budget planning, resource allocation, and long-term financial strategies to support program goals.
Forecast and monitor expenditures to ensure units operate within budget and resources are used effectively.
Prepare and analyze financial reports, identify trends, and provide recommendations for decision-making.
Manage fiscal programs for assigned units, including faculty salary and startup commitments, graduate assistantships, and course and technology fees.
Oversee fee-for-service operations, rate development, billing, and compliance, and administer ISU Foundation gift accounts in accordance with donor intent and university policy.
Collaborate on post-award grant activities such as re-budgeting, cost share tracking, and effort reporting.
Serve as the Workday Cost Center Manager, reviewing and approving transactions, managing costing allocations, and ensuring compliance with university policies.
Interpret financial policies, implement internal controls, and serve as a liaison during audits, reviews, and financial reporting.
Identify and implement process improvements, standardize procedures, and propose solutions to complex financial challenges.
The successful candidate will work closely with leadership to ensure fiscal accountability, compliance, and alignment with university and college goals.
If you are motivated by building systems, leading change, and empowering others behind the scenes, this role offers an especially rewarding opportunity. You'll contribute directly to Iowa State's land-grant mission-supporting world-class teaching, research, and extension programs that create meaningful impact across communities, industries, and the environment. The Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering is consistently ranked among the top programs in the nation and, as part of two colleges, it offers broad exposure to complex financial operations and the chance to make a strong, visible impact.
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.
Level Guidelines- Senior-level position possessing high-level professional and/or technical skills working independently under minimal supervision to support ISU's mission and department or work unit goals- Applies senior-level professional knowledge and expertise to work requiring greater latitude- Solves moderately complex problems and regularly exercises judgment to determine appropriate action- Regularly exercises judgment to resolve problems and determine appropriate action on a broad set of issue and problems. May provide recommendations regarding problems/issues outside the bounds of defined procedures and practices- Responds to complicated inquiries, provides training, and provides direction to lower-level staff- May provide supervision for one to two other staff (i.e., leads a small work team)- May lead projects for which well-defined practices and procedures may not exist- Provides guidance to students
Appointment Type:Regular
Number of Months Employed Per Year:12 Month Work Period
Time Type:Full time
Pay Grade:PS810
Application Instructions:To apply for this position, please click on "Apply" and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following: 1) Resume/Curriculum Vitae 2) Letter of Application/Cover Letter If you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485. Why Choose ISU? Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental; as well as: - Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans - Generous vacation, holiday and sick time and leave plans - Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa) - Life insurance and long-term disability - Flexible Spending Accounts - Various voluntary benefits and discounts - Employee Assistance Program - Wellbeing program - Iowa State offers WorkFlex options for some positions. WorkFlex offers flexibility on when, where, and how you do your work. For more information, please speak with the Hiring Manager.
Original Posting Date: October 29, 2025
Posting Close Date:November 9, 2025
Job Requisition Number:R18024
By focusing on the future and providing the best student experience possible, Iowa State University (http://www.iastate.edu/) attracts students and faculty who want to make a difference. With a comprehensive?land-grant?mission of education, research, extension and outreach, we produce scholars whose ideas change the world. And through Innovate at Iowa State, we provide innovative and entrepreneurial opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Located just 30 minutes north of Des Moines, the city of Ames was recently named one of the Top 10 cities in the U.S. for campus life and career opportunities.
Iowa State University is a welcoming community of students, faculty, and staff. Campus community members have a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and are committed to engaging with each other respectfully as outlined in the university's Principles of Community (https://www.iastate.edu/principles-community) . Iowa State recognizes that diverse intellectual and philosophical perspectives are vital to innovation, critical thinking skills, and a dynamic academic community that fosters the land-grant ideals of putting science, technology, and human creativity to work.
All offers of employment, oral and written, are contingent upon the university's verification of credentials and other information required by federal and state law, ISU policies/procedures, and may include the completion of a background check and/or a consumer credit check.
Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email eooffice@iastate.edu.
If you have questions about the application process please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll-Free at 1-877-477-7485. Iowa State University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should email employment@iastate.edu or call (515) 294-4800 or Toll-Free: (877) 477-7485. TTY users are welcome to use the Iowa Relay Service number by dialing 7-1-1 or (800) 735-2942.
General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources (https://www.hr.iastate.edu/careers/compensation) website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.
