Research Job Opportunities

Position Overview

The Grants and Contracts Administrator II (GCA II) is responsible for sponsored project compliance in conjunction with other units and with employees who act as stewards of sponsored project funding. This position ensures sponsored project compliance by providing organization, oversight, analysis and award management of their assigned sponsored project agreements, including a comprehensive analysis of agreement terms and conditions, cited federal regulations and university policy and procedure. This position is responsible for reviewing and processing all assigned agreements, modifications and requests for sponsor prior approval, with a focus on mid- to high-risk project types.

Duties may include:

• Collect, analyze, interpret and document required information from sponsored project agreements and amendments, including sponsor terms, federal regulations, deliverables, etc.
• Serve as a liaison between university stakeholders and sponsor contacts to resolve project-related administrative questions and issues
• Provide assistance, interpretation and guidance to principal investigators (PIs) and other university employees
• Conduct research and analysis of new and existing agency requirements; recommend changes to university policy as needed for compliance
• Simultaneously handle a variety of assignments that require a high degree of attention
• Resolve compliance issues
• Review, interpret and translate budget data to establish accounting in the financial system
• Enter and review recorded data in the electronic research administration (ERA) system for upload into the financial system
• Identify compliance risks and work with supervisor to resolve the issue
• Assist with updating process documentation
• Develop, deliver and participate in workshops and seminars
• Maintain records and contribute to metrics data
• Organize, prioritize and plan personal workload to meet deadlines
• Other duties as assigned

Job Duties

Steward sponsored project compliance by (55%):

• Collect, analyze, interpret and document required information from sponsored project agreements and amendments, including sponsor terms, federal regulations, deliverables, etc.
• Serve as a liaison between university stakeholders and sponsor contacts to resolve project-related administrative questions and issues
• Provide assistance, interpretation and guidance to PIs and other university employees
• Conduct research and analysis of new and existing agency requirements; recommend changes to university policy as needed for compliance
• Simultaneously handle a variety of assignments that require a high degree of attention
• Resolve compliance issues
• Review, interpret and translate budget data to establish accounting in the financial system
• Enter and review recorded data in the ERA system for upload into the financial system
• Identify compliance risks and work with supervisor to resolve the issue
• Organize, prioritize and plan personal workload to meet deadlines

Assist in advancing compliance by (35%):

• Assist with updating process documentation
• Develop, deliver and participate in workshops and seminars
• Maintain records and contribute to metrics data

Support OSP by (10%):

• Other duties as assigned

Education

• High School Diploma or equivalent

Experience

• Two years in a sponsored programs-related support position with a primary responsibility for stewarding compliance with contractual terms and conditions
• Using spreadsheet software to compile, summarize and analyze financial data
• Editing and writing business correspondence using proper grammar and punctuation as demonstrated in application materials
• Interpreting, applying and explaining financial stewardship policies, procedures, rules and regulations
• Analyzing information from a variety of sources, identifying problems, defining alternatives and assisting to implement recommendations
• Independently managing projects that involve multiple stakeholders

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree
• Certified Research Administrator or Certified Financial Research Administrator
• Three or more years of experience in a sponsored programs-related support position either pre- or post-award, doing work related to compliance with the regulatory principles that govern sponsored funding, preferably at an institution of higher education, non-profit or federal entity
• Experience serving as a liaison between internal and external entities and individuals to coordinate activities and resolve issues
• Experience with pre- or post-award sponsored projects from multiple sponsoring agencies or multiple agreement types (such as National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health and a subaward or contract)
• Experience working in a customer service-oriented team environment to accomplish shared goals
• Experience using the Banner database system, specifically the finance and human resource modules
• Experience applying multiple regulatory policies to advance a decision or process

Additional information

• Apply through the University of Idaho Careers page.
• In your application, please address all the minimum requirements in the Letter of Qualification. Preferential review of applicants to begin on February 13.

Position Overview

This position serves as the administrative lead for educational, outreach and professional programs, or directing complex business operations in support of the program. The program manager formally plans, assigns, directs and coordinates the work of the program. The position will represent the program to administrators, employees, students within the university and external contacts.

Duties may include:

• Manage and oversee the administrative and daily operations of a program
• Ensure compliance with university, state and federal policies and regulations
• Oversee the supervision of personnel, which includes work allocation, training, promotion, enforcement of internal procedures and controls and problem-resolution
• Design and develop or assist with the design and development of program(s) or project(s)
• Manage contract, grant and/or state funding; approve and monitor budget expenditures; prepare budget revisions; provide interim status reports on all accounts; oversee, coordinate and/or assist with proposal writing to develop additional funding
• Provide technical and/or professional coordination and leadership in the execution of day-to-day program/project activities, as appropriate to program objectives and area of expertise
• Participate in the development of annual operating budgets and provide fiscal direction to the unit
• Develop and implement systems and processes to establish and maintain records for the operating unit
• Oversee and/or coordinate the collection, compilation and analysis of program activity data; develop, write and present comprehensive statistical and narrative program reports
• Develop or assist with the development and implementation of policies and procedures consistent with those of the organization to ensure the efficient operation of the program/project
• Other duties as assigned

Job Duties

Project performance management (45%):

• Review of project Request for Proposal (RFP) response and compliance requirements.
• Contribute to the development of appropriate contract types, agreement mechanisms and strategies.
• Lead initial program award “kick off” and periodic program review sessions with project team to ensure cost, schedule and technical performance goals are achieved.
• Provide training and ongoing guidance to project participants, including faculty, administrative staff, central administration and external partners as project needs require.
• Proactively identify project issues and work with stakeholders to find solutions.
• Identify areas of project risk and implement appropriate risk mitigation strategies.
• Ensure projects are compliant with university policy and regulatory requirements in areas such as Export Control, Restricted Research, Conflict of Interest, Research Security, Human Subjects, Animal Research, Environmental Health and Safety, etc.
• Develop and disseminate information on a continual basis to all pertinent parties concerning the fulfillment of project goals and objectives.
• Delegating and monitoring project workloads across workforce to ensure timely, accurate and professional execution of project goals.
• Providing guidance and/or support to project administration personnel related to personnel functions relative to the project.

Project fiscal management (45%):

• Act as primary contact for all post-award program activities, including reporting and budget management.
• Working collaboratively with the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) to ensure the award setup accurately reflects the terms and conditions of the award as well as anticipated spending.
• Act as liaison to OSP and assist with reporting and compliance inquiries and submissions.
• Advising the project participants and teams on fiscal concerns and providing prudent corrective actions.
• Auditing expenditures.
• Advising project participants of the allowability of expenditures.
• Facilitating and coordinating budget activities of the project.
• Communicating regularly with project participants and OSP regarding grant activity, including developing and presenting financial reports.
• Support and assist the Office of Research and Economic Development (ORED) in organizing, planning and implementing the project management approaches, tools, templates and best practices. Activities include development of recommended processes and procedures and training and support to employees.

Provide overall support to the unit by (10%):

• Executing responsibility for other duties, projects and business in a collaborative and collegial way as assigned
• Providing back-up and coverage in the Fiscal Operations unit for processes within the scope of this position
• Supporting other positions within ORED as assigned

Requirements

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree: four additional years of experience (for a total of eight years) may substitute for a Bachelor’s Degree Experience
• Four years of program coordination or program management experience
• One year of supervisory experience or delegating work to others
• Participation in the development and management of operating budgets

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in STEM discipline, Business Administration, or Accounting.
• Master’s degree in related field
• Processing financial transactions and compiling routine management reports
• Experience in analyzing and interpreting financial information; maintaining accounting systems; budget development and monitoring; and reconciling accounts, particularly in a higher education setting.
• Experience in grant administration, including proposal development.

Additional information

• Apply through the University of Idaho Careers page.
• In your application, please address all the minimum requirements in the Letter of Qualification. Preferential review of applicants to begin on February 8.