Job Summary

The primary functions of the Financial Records and Acquisitions Assistant include: preparing invoices for payment, maintaining invoice and budget files, and producing budget reports. In addition, this position works with the Acquisitions Assistant to identify and order library materials and verify receipt of materials. This position also manages the Library’s gift program and assists with maintaining access to electronic resources. This position is in the 4H pay grade ($16.07 – $24.92 per hour).

Reports to

Coordinator for Resource Management

Responsibilities

• Recommends yearly Academic Program allocations and Library fund appropriation calculations and seeks approval from Director of Libraries.
• Monitors the regular budget accounts to ensure funds are encumbered and spent within library guidelines; generates budget reports.
• Processes orders by: receiving order requests, identifying appropriate vendors, submitting orders, and creating order records in the library catalog.
• Receives materials by: checking items for damage, entering invoices in the library services platform, and sending items to be cataloged.
• Submits vendor and payment requests using the University’s financial management system, Workday.
• Manages the Library’s gift program which includes: consulting with donors, making decisions on adding items to the collection, consulting with Library colleagues for input, coordinating donor bookplates, and donating unwanted items to charitable organizations.
• Troubleshoots access to electronic resources and databases.
• Communicates with vendor representatives and other salespersons to learn of new services and to discuss billing, shipping, and reporting problems.
• Collaborates with supervisor and colleagues to set priorities, assess work assignments, and document work procedures and processes.
• Communicates policies, procedures, and information to Library colleagues, patrons, students, faculty, and other stakeholders in an effective and professional manner.
• Completes performance review process with supervisor to understand job performance and expectations and how both fit into department and University goals.
• Pursues professional development through training, committee service, conference attendance, and review of current information resources.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Relationships

This position involves continuous contact with Library colleagues, Library student assistants, University departments, students, and library vendors. This position communicates openly and effectively, while recognizing the contributions of colleagues.

Responsibility for Final Decisions

• Routine work is performed independently; non-routine issues or questions are referred to the supervisor.
• Tasks involve multiple procedures with interrelated processes or steps. Work involves choosing the appropriate option or procedure to follow and applying established rules and procedures.
• Final budget decisions will be made in collaboration with the Coordinator for Resource Management and/or the Director of Libraries.
• Reviews work to ensure compliance with procedures and deadlines.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent relevant experience.
• 1-2 years of experience in related field.
• Ability to manage work budgets, accounts payable, and accounts receivable.
• Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to set priorities, multi-task, make complex decisions, and effectively meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated high level of accuracy, attention to detail, and follow-through.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a library
• Experience using Ex Libris Alma and Primo
• Ability to transfer, translate and interpret data from one format to another accurately

Work Environment

• Work is performed in an office environment.
• This job has the potential for a hybrid work schedule with up to 2 remote workdays per week. Approval for hybrid work will be evaluated in accordance with the University’s remote work policy after at least 3 months of full-time onsite work.
• Work requires some lifting and movement of books and other library materials which may weigh up to 50 pounds.
• Work involves occasional exposure to dust and mold.

Application Procedure

To be considered for this position, applicants must submit the following:

• cover letter
• résumé
• names and contact information of three references.

Transcript requests and background checks will be conducted in the final stage of the hiring process.

Review of applications will begin immediately. Questions may be e-mailed to Rebekah Lawrence at rebekah.lawrence@furman.edu.

About Us

Founded in 1826, Furman University is a selective private liberal arts university committed to helping students develop intellectually, personally, and interpersonally and providing the practical skills necessary to succeed in a rapidly-changing world. Furman faculty are exceptional teacher-scholars who mentor undergraduate students within a campus community that values and encourages diverse ideas and perspectives. Furman has an institutional commitment to embrace diversity as an implicit value and as an explicit practice in all of its endeavors. Following an inquiry into Furman’s ties to slavery, the Board of Trustees unanimously approved a series of recommendations that will help educate the community about Furman’s history and commemorate Furman’s first African American students through educational programs, statues, historical plaques, and scholarships. Several research projects and initiatives have followed from this initial inquiry, and many faculty, staff, and students have been studying and working on these issues for several years now, with institutional support.

Our strategic vision, The Furman Advantage, promises students an individualized four-year pathway facilitated by team of mentors and infused with a rich and varied set of high-impact experiences outside the classroom that include undergraduate research, study away, internships, community-focused learning, and opportunities to engage across differences.

Furman is committed to increasing the diversity of its faculty and staff, and actively encourages applications from members of all groups underrepresented in higher education. The University aspires to create a community of people representing a multiplicity of identities including race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, spiritual belief, socioeconomic background, geographic origin, ideology, world view, and varied abilities. Several faculty interest groups have formed within these underrepresented populations including African Americans and LGBTQ+. These groups encourage interested parties to interact with them during the search process. Furman extends comprehensive benefits to domestic partners of employees.

The Furman University Libraries include the James B. Duke Library, the Sanders Science Library, and the Maxwell Music Library. The Libraries have 27 employees (14 library faculty and 13 staff) and a robust collection of electronic and print materials. The Libraries are a member of the Oberlin Group consortium of liberal arts college libraries, PASCAL (The Partnership of Academic South Carolina Libraries), and use a shared Alma/Primo library services platform.

Furman University is located on traditional Cherokee land in Greenville, South Carolina, which is one of the fastest growing cities in the Southeast and was ranked #6 Small City in the U.S. by Condé Nast Traveler Magazine. The charming downtown features excellent restaurants, in-town parks, shops, museums, galleries, music venues, and theaters. The city also has excellent public and private schools and a vibrant international community. A 20-mile bike and running trail connects the university to Greenville and to nearby Travelers Rest, which was named one of America’s 10 best southern small towns by USA Today. The surrounding area abounds with outdoor recreational activities and has some of the most beautiful lakes, rivers, and mountains in the country. Greenville is within easy driving distance to Asheville, Atlanta, Charlotte, Columbia, the Blue Ridge Mountains, and Atlantic beaches. Greenville-Spartanburg Airport runs daily flights to major cities and airline hubs.

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