Senior Research Administrative Coordinator

Senior Research Administrative Coordinator

Job no: 531072

Work type: Officer of Administration

Location: Eugene, OR

Categories: Administrative/Professional, Research/Scientific/Grants

Department: College of Arts & Sciences Business Office
Appointment Type and Duration: Regular, Ongoing
Salary: $72,000 - $82,000 per year
Compensation Band: OS-OA07-Fiscal Year 2022-2023
FTE: 1.0

Application Review Begins

February 13, 2023; position open until filled

Special Instructions to Applicants

In addition to the online application form, please submit a resume, a cover letter, and names and contact information for three professional references. We will not contact references until the finalist stage. We encourage you to use your cover letter to describe how you meet the minimum and preferred qualifications for this position, including any less traditional but transferrable experience. If you do not quite meet the qualifications for Sr. RAC, please see our RAC 2 posting!

Note: This position is based in Eugene but remote working arrangements may be considered; candidates who are not local are encouraged to apply.


Department Summary

The College of Arts & Sciences (CAS) is a large and complex college that offers the core liberal arts and sciences curriculum at the University of Oregon. The research activity and reputation of CAS faculty is the basis for the UO's status as a Carnegie Research I institution and a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU). All tenure-related faculty in CAS, across the Humanities, Social Sciences, and Natural Sciences divisions, are required to be engaged in an active research program and make original contributions to their respective fields of knowledge. To support these research programs, CAS units are responsible for managing approximately $55 million in research grants from federal, state, and foundation sources.

The CAS Center for Research Services (CCRS) is a grant and research support center that provides comprehensive services to CAS departments and programs across the three academic divisions. Under the umbrella of a new CAS Business Office (CBO), CCRS works closely with faculty principal investigators (PIs) as well as UO administrative officials, CAS Academic Support Unit associate directors, business managers, and affiliated organizations such as the UO Foundation -- to provide services in two main areas: 1) Pre-Award, and 2) Post-Award.

Position Summary

The Senior Research Administrative Coordinator (RAC) provides support and leadership to pre-and post-award administration of sponsored projects. This position serves as a team lead and resource for information related to the management of grants, contracts, and sponsored programs and provides faculty, researchers, and staff with guidance on financial, administrative, and regulatory issues arising from the application for and the execution of sponsored awards and agreements. This position may provide full life-cycle research administration and grant management services to faculty and affiliates or may specialize in pre-award or post-award services.

The Senior RAC will ensure that sponsored projects across all CAS units are managed in compliance with agency and university requirements, and will coordinate and respond to internal and external audits of award-related transactions and reporting. Additionally, the Senior RAC will contribute to the development and implementation of training materials, resources, workflows, and protocols for CCRS staff, the CAS Business Office, and CAS PIs.

The Senior RAC provides leadership for outstanding customer service at all levels of the organization, balancing service with compliance. This position will identify goals for future organizational performance and standard operating procedures in research administration and will manage the development of training and orientation on a variety of research administration topics for CAS PIs.

This position will interact regularly with external constituents, administrative colleagues, faculty, students, and sponsors in the public and private sectors. This position will report to the CCRS Pre-Award and/or Post-Award Director and is an essential role on a growing team. The Senior RAC position is a crucial element of the research administration structure that is envisioned for the CCRS shared services model of research administration.
This position requires the consistent exercise of professional sensitivity, confidentiality, and independent judgment. RACs will have or develop a comprehensive knowledge of University of Oregon grant administration policies and practices, as well as the ability to interpret, communicate, and apply the Oregon Administrative Rules, University policies and procedures, and the federal Uniform Guidance (CFR 200). The successful candidate will have a strong customer service focus, be a highly-motivated, self-starter who is able to work independently and as part of a team to meet shared and individual goals, and who has demonstrated the ability to be flexible, adaptable, and responsive. In addition, the successful candidate will have the ability to work effectively with faculty, staff, and students from diverse backgrounds and will maintain the highest ethical standards.

Minimum Requirements

• At least one professional certification related to the position such as CIP, CRA®, CPRA® ;
  
• Bachelor's degree
  AND
  
• Four (4) years of progressively responsible professional experience focused on research administration;
  OR
  
• Six (6) years of professional experience focused on research administration or other regulatory compliance in an active research setting with a professional certification.
  
  Professional Competencies
  
  
• Knowledge of governmental and granting agency regulations pertaining to grants and contracts.
  
• Ability to research, read, interpret, and apply complex and varying regulations.
  
• Commitment to advancing the University's research goals in creating a facilitative environment for research while navigating an increasingly complex research compliance environment that requires specialized skills and abilities in satisfying federal, state, and university regulations.
  
• Proficiency with multiple forms of information technology, including web-based, word processing, data entry, managing electronic information, and database administration.
  
• Ability to analyze and synthesize complex concepts and technical details and transfer them into written documents.
  
• Demonstrated effective communication skills, as well as diplomacy and discretion.
  
• Demonstrated excellent organizational skills, and attention to detail.
  
• Demonstrated ability to provide solution-oriented customer service.
  
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with team members, faculty, staff, and students from a variety of diverse backgrounds.
  
• Ability to manage multiple priorities with overlapping deadlines and frequent interruptions while maintaining a high level of customer service.
  
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
  
  Preferred Qualifications
  
  
• Experience in a higher education environment.
  
• One (1) or more years of project management experience related to research or grant administration in higher education, research organizations, or a related environment.
  
• Advanced degree in Research Administration, Business Administration, Management, Public Administration, or a closely-related field.
  
• Multiple Professional certification(s) related to position (CRA®, CPRA®, or CFRA)
  
• Experience with budget and financial management, with fund accounting experience.
  
• Experience with HRIS/FIS platforms/databases such as Banner, Cognos, Electronic Proposal Clearance Systems, or similar.
  
• Experience with grant management software (NIH Commons, Research.gov, etc.).
  
• Experience serving a diverse client/customer base.
  
  FLSA Exempt: Yes
  
  All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a background inquiry.
  
  University of Oregon students and employees are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19. For additional information see: https://hr.uoregon.edu/uo-covid-19-vaccination-requirement-employee-process.
  
  The University of Oregon is proud to offer a robust benefits package to eligible employees, including health insurance, retirement plans and paid time off. For more information about benefits, visit http://hr.uoregon.edu/careers/about-benefits.
  
  The University of Oregon is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution committed to cultural diversity and compliance with the ADA. The University encourages all qualified individuals to apply, and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status, including veteran and disability status. The University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. To request an accommodation in connection with the application process, please contact us at uocareers@uoregon.edu or 541-346-5112.
  
  UO prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression in all programs, activities and employment practices as required by Title IX, other applicable laws, and policies. Retaliation is prohibited by UO policy. Questions may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, Office of Civil Rights Compliance, or to the Office for Civil Rights. Contact information, related policies, and complaint procedures are listed on the statement of non-discrimination.
  
  In compliance with federal law, the University of Oregon prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and services. The Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at https://clery.uoregon.edu/annual-campus-security-and-fire-safety-report.
  
  
  
  To apply, visit https://careers.uoregon.edu/en-us/job/531072/senior-research-administrative-coordinator
  
  
  
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