Program Assistant II, Administrative & Fiscal Operations

Institution: The University of South Dakota; Department: USD‑School of Education; Location: Vermillion; Posting Number: CSA02791P; Posting Date: 09/17/2026; Closing Date: Open Until Filled; First Consideration Date: 09/24/2026; Appointment Type: Regular; Appointment Percent: 100%; Work Hours: 8:00am‑5:00pm; Duration of Term: 12 months.

About the role

The School of Education seeks a highly organized and collaborative Program Assistant II to oversee the operational, financial, personnel, and administrative functions of the college. This position serves as a key resource for the dean, faculty, staff, and university partners by managing budgets, coordinating administrative processes, ensuring compliance with university and Board of Regents policies, and supporting strategic initiatives. The successful candidate will demonstrate strong financial acumen, problem‑solving skills, attention to detail, and the ability to build effective working relationships across a diverse range of stakeholders. The Program Assistant II provides administrative, operational, supervisory, and school‑level fiscal support for the School of Education.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary point of contact for School leadership and administrative support staff.
• Coordinate day‑to‑day business operations.
• Monitor funds; analyze financial activity and trends; provide fiscal guidance; identify concerns.
• Work collaboratively with the Dean and central Budget & Finance to determine appropriate solutions.
• Independently evaluate routine, non‑routine, and atypical administrative and fiscal issues; determine next steps and coordinate solutions at the School level, elevating matters only when they cannot be resolved locally or require central authority.
• Develop, implement, and maintain School‑level Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and administrative processes consistent with university and Board of Regents policies.
• Ensure school‑level transactions, documentation, budget activity, administrative processes, and internal fiscal coordination are accurate, timely, organized, and appropriately elevated when questions or concerns arise.
• Work closely with School leadership, central Budget & Finance, Accounting, and Human Resources as the School’s primary day‑to‑day resource on administrative operations, fiscal coordination, procedural guidance, issue resolution, and functional work.

Requirements

Must be authorized to work in the United States; sponsorship is not available for this position.

Qualifications

• Experience in budget management, financial reporting, administrative operations, or office management.
• Proficiency with financial, personnel, and administrative software systems.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem‑solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience working in higher education.
• Knowledge of South Dakota Board of Regents policies and procedures.
• Experience working with enterprise financial or human resource systems.
• Demonstrated ability