Unleash YOUR Potential With Us

As a next-generation public research institute, we are an inclusive community of thinkers, doers, creators, innovators, healers, and leaders striving to shape the future and solve the world’s most challenging problems. No matter what your role is, when you join Knight Nation, you’ll play an integral role in pushing us forward to become among the most impactful universities in the country. You’ll be met with opportunities to connect and collaborate with uniquely talented faculty, staff, and students across 13 colleges and multiple campuses and regional locations. That means greater challenges to tackle, more meaningful opportunities to grow, and rewarding experiences that go beyond a paycheck. We’re seeking qualified, motivated individuals who will help UCF fulfill its mission in unleashing the potential of every individual, enriching the human experience through inclusion, discovery, and innovation; and propelling broad-based prosperity for the many communities we serve.

College of Optics and Photonics:

The College of Optics and Photonics (CREOL), one of the 13 colleges at the University of Central Florida, offers M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Optics and Photonics and a B.S. degree in Photonic Science and Engineering. The faculty engage in a broad spectrum of research covering all areas of optics and photonics, ranging from fundamental physics to device and systems research. The college has 35 core faculty members, over 19 faculty members with joint appointments, about 60 research scientists and postdoctoral fellows, over 130 graduate students, and 170 undergraduate students. Additional information is available at https://www.creol.ucf.edu.

UCF and its 13 colleges provide opportunities to almost 72,000 students, offering 194 bachelor’s and master’s degrees and 34 doctoral programs. Students come from all 50 states and over 147 countries. As one of the largest universities in the country, UCF is committed to innovative community partnerships, world class research with local and global impact, and the integration of technology and learning.

The Opportunity:

The University of Central Florida’s (UCF’s) Finance Business Centers (FBCs) provide first point of contact support for employees across the university’s various colleges and divisions. Each center is embedded within a college or division, allowing the Finance, Research, & Procurement staff within the center to be integrated into the operations and culture of the community in which they work. Through this model, Finance & Procurement staff act as invaluable advisors and business advocates for the college or division that they serve. Responsibilities for travel and procurement coordination may be combined into the same role depending on the needs of the college or division.

Procurement:

The Procurement Coordinator acts as the primary point of contact for colleges/divisions for all procurement-related activities. They will be responsible for the procurement of assigned services and commodities, and they will provide daily monitoring and processing of requisitions through UCF systems. The Procurement Coordinator also assists and develops solicitations for bids, and participates in the development of UCF contracts, leases, and supplier agreements. The Procurement Coordinator will directly acquire goods and services using college/division-assigned procurement cards and reflect receipt of goods or services in UCF systems. Finally, they will coordinate with Procurement Specialists in the kNEXT to ensure full visibility and resolution of issues and support end-user communications and training efforts.

Travel:

The Travel Coordinator arranges business travel for university employees, assists in identifying the most cost-effective and efficient travel arrangements, ensures university travel rules are followed, and makes necessary reservations for accommodations. Post-trip, the Travel Coordinator assists with the collection, review, and processing of the documentation required to support expense reports to ensure prompt and accurate reimbursement of approved expenses. Travel Coordinators will ensure all expense card transactions are allowable, required documentation is provided, and transactions are accurately recorded and reconciled in a timely manner. They are also tasked with coordinating with Travel Specialists in kNEXT to ensure full visibility and resolution of issues. This role also supports end-user communications and training efforts.

Responsibilities:

Procurement responsibilities include:

• Participating in the development of solicitation for bids.

• Assisting colleges/divisions with the development of contracts, leases, vendor identification and supplier agreements. Initiating adds/updates to the vendor master file; obtaining supplier provided documentation.

• Initiating requisitions and supporting colleges/divisions with purchases.

• Reviewing requests for procurement policy adherence prior to entry into Workday and proposing alternative solutions in instances where the request is out of compliance.

• Reviewing and analyzing contracts and pricing agreements, exceptional purchases, Waiver of Competition and Sole Source Certifications in accordance with college/division processes, university policy, and regulations.

• Acting as a liaison between college/division staff, general counsel, and the vendor on the development of contractual agreements.

• Making procurement card purchases for college/division needs.

• Managing purchase orders, expense authorizations, invoice receipts, and invoice payments.

• Initiating change orders to purchase orders.

• Adding and/or validating Worktags to verify appropriateness for acquisition.

• Performing receiving in Workday.

• Initiating RMAs with suppliers and coordinating returns as required.

• Supporting the management and tracking of college/division assets and inventory.

• Verifying, reviewing, and reconciling procurement card transactions to ensure compliance with university policy and regulations.

• Preparing requests for petty cash funds and replenishment of petty cash.

Travel responsibilities will include:

• Serving as a general resource and point of contact for travel-related issues.

• Assisting employees with travel-related issues or concerns.

• Receiving and responding to incoming travel requests.

• Initiating spend authorization for travel upon request.

• Researching and comparing available travel and hotel accommodations to identify the best available option for each travel need.

• Booking travel and hotel accommodations upon request.

• Preparing travel itineraries and distributing travel arrangements and schedules to all appropriate employees/travelers.

• Ensuring travel reservations comply with university policies.

• Advising travelers of and assisting with any need for specialized travel documentation.

Minimum Qualifications:

High School Diploma or equivalent and (0+) years of relevant experience or combination of relevant comparable education and experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience supporting travel coordination and/or purchasing items experience.

• Experience related to purchasing and procurement practices, policies, and procedures, especially related to UCF and State of Florida guidelines and policies. Familiarity with UCF and State of Florida travel guidelines and policy is also desired.

• The ability to organize and prioritize work.

• The ability to work with minimal hands-on supervision.

• Familiarity with Workday, Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Office, and similar programs is strongly desired.

Special Instructions to the Applicants:

UCF is seeking to fill multiple roles. Candidates for this job posting will be considered for additional vacancies in this department.

Are Benefits Important to You?

Working at UCF has its perks!  In addition to helping drive change and having a positive impact by supporting our students, staff, and faculty, UCF offers:

• Benefit packages, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending, and Employee Assistance Program

• Paid time off, including annual and sick leave and paid holidays

• Retirement savings options

• Employee discounts, including tickets to many Orlando attractions

• Education assistance

• Flexible work environment

• And more…For more benefits information, go to the UCF Employee Benefits page click here .

Who Are We?

Founded in 1963 to fuel the region’s talent pipeline and support the growing U.S. space program, UCF is built to make a better future for our students and society. It’s one of the reasons U.S. News & World Report ranks UCF among the nation’s top 20 most innovative colleges, while Forbes, Kiplinger, and The Princeton Review rank us a best-value university. UCF is one of 14 universities nationwide designated as both a Hispanic-Serving Institution and a Research 1 university. With 13 colleges, including a fully accredited College of Medicine, UCF offers more than 220-degree programs between its main campus, downtown campus, hospitality campus, academic health sciences campus, and 11 UCF Connect centers located throughout the region. In addition, UCF extends its reach to communities in and beyond Central Florida by offering complete, online programs leading to bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, Ph.D.'s., certificates, and more.

Unless explicitly stated on the job posting, it is UCF’s expectation that an employee of UCF will reside in Florida as of the date the employment begins.

Department

College Of Optics And Photonics Finance Business Center

Work Schedule

Monday - Friday; 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.

Type of Appointment

Varies

Expected Salary

$17.64 to Negotiable

Job Posting End Date

08-04-2023-12-00-AM

Veteran’s Preference:   

Preference will be given to eligible veterans and their eligible spouses in accordance with Chapter 295 of the Florida Statutes. Applicants claiming preference are responsible for providing required documentation by the closing date of the position. For more information on Veterans’ Preference, please visit http://hr.ucf.edu/files/VeteransPreference.pdf

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

As an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, UCF encourages all qualified applicants to apply, including women, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and members of traditionally underrepresented populations. UCF's Equal Opportunity Statement can be viewed at  http://www.oie.ucf.edu/documents/PresidentsStatement.pdf. As a Florida public university, UCF makes all application materials and selection procedures available to the public upon request. The University of Central Florida is proud to be a smoke-free campus and an E-Verify employer.