Human Resource Services

Overview

The Office of the University Controller and UF Training and Organizational Development have launched a new professional development program—titled Gator Business Administrator Services, or GBAS—that targets business administrators on campus.

The goal of the GBAS professional development program is to introduce newly hired business administrators to the university more consistently and successfully than has been the case in the past. This includes defining institutional expectations associated with the role of the business administrator clearly—from the beginning of the person’s time in the role. Providing ongoing professional development for existing business administrators is another goal of the GBAS program.  In combination, these goals are designed to improve and increase the consistency of business management practices and stewardship of UF funds.

 GBAS aims to achieve this by cultivating:

Structure

The GBAS professional development program has a multi-part structure: Orientation, Mentoring, Foundation, GBAS Institutes, and Ongoing Professional Development.

Orientation

Designed to introduce newly hired business administrators to the University of Florida’s financial, HR, and administrative environment, GBAS Orientation is composed of 12 online modules that focus on information such as budget preparation, contracts and grants, accounting fundamentals, budget monitoring, purchasing, etc. To complement the online course, two workbooks are available for participants to use as they navigate through the modules. The purpose of this course is to provide introductory information to new fiscal employees so they can learn about the job duties required of their role more quickly upon hire—before they attend the Pro3 series, which provides more in-depth information. 

The online GBAS Orientation is the first phase of the overall GBAS professional development program, and it is available to anyone who might benefit from the curriculum; however, it is targeted to employees in administrative roles. To register for GBAS Orientation, visit my.ufl.edu, My Self Service, Training and Development, Request Training Enrollment. Search for course number GBS100.

Mentoring

The mentoring opportunity is available via a competitive application process.  Selected participants will be paired with a more experienced business administrator on campus (see current program mentors). They will work together from January through December 2012 (a one-year commitment). Once the protégés are selected, a kick-off meeting will be held with mentors/mentees for introductions and to discuss the upcoming mentoring year.

Foundation

The Pro3 curriculum is being utilized to cultivate needed competencies in the fiscal/HR management area for employees in fiscal and administrative roles. This curriculum is composed of three broad tracks: Fiscal Management, HR/Payroll Management, and Academic Department Support. For more information, visit the Pro3 section of this web site.

GBAS Institutes

Designed to further explore and develop administrative competencies—GBAS Institutes will typically be held twice a year. Participants will review key concepts and have an opportunity to apply what they learned in Orientation and Foundation.  The institutes will include campus-leader presentations and integrate case-study discussions to enable problem solving, to create big-picture awareness of how the financial system works from “start to finish,” and to prompt discussions about complex (though common) problems and ethical dilemmas.

Ongoing Professional Development

An important part of the GBAS effort is to ensure business officers “stay current,” are provided opportunities to network among peers and experts, and are supported in a culture of continuous learning. Therefore, as noted below for the GBAS credential, participants will be provided opportunities for professional development activities even after initial credentialing.

GBAS Credential

By the end of 2012, a GBAS credential will be available. To achieve the GBAS credential, participants will complete three elements of the GBAS program structure:

To retain the GBAS credential, participants will be asked to meet one of the following expectations over the course of a two-year period following initial credentialing: