Post-Award Research Administrator 3 (Remote)

The University of California, Merced is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience. The full salary range for this position is $61,400- $109,200. The budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $73,800 - $92,000.

Initial applicant review will begin on or around October 21st, 2024. Posting will remain open until filled.

This position is primarily remote, with occasional mandatory in-person training and team-building activities at the UC Merced campus.

The University of California, Merced, is the newest of the University of California system's 10 campuses and the first American research university built in the 21st century. With more than 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students, UC Merced offers an environment that combines a commitment to diversity, inclusion, collaboration and professional development. With bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs, strong research and academic partnerships, and community involvement, the UC Merced campus is continually evolving and requires talented, knowledgeable and dynamic educators, researchers, management and staff.

Ranked among the best public universities in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, UC Merced is uniquely equipped to provide educational opportunities for highly qualified students from the San Joaquin Valley and throughout California. The campus enjoys a special connection with nearby Yosemite National Park, is on the cutting edge of sustainability in construction and design and supports the economic development of Merced and the region.

The Merced 2020 Project, a $1.3 billion public-private partnership unprecedented in higher education and completed in 2020, nearly doubled the physical capacity of the campus, enhancing academic distinction, student success and research excellence. UC Merced also operates the Downtown Campus Center, a $33 million, three-story administrative building located in the heart of Merced.

The university's mission of educational excellence and rigorous inquiry is powered by three schools and numerous research institutes and centers that seek scientific and social solutions for the Valley, California and the world. In partnership with UC San Francisco, UC Merced is preparing the way for a rigorous medical education program.

The course of UC Merced's evolution is piloted by a long-range strategic plan. Enacted in 2021, the 10-year blueprint is guiding how the values of equity and justice influence our pathway to earning Carnegie R1 research status, growing enrollment, upholding our identity as a minority-serving institution, and operationalizing how commitments to equity, diversity and inclusion are enacted in each campus unit.

The Research Administrator (RA) will be responsible for post award management within the Office of Research and Economic Development at UC Merced. The RA will develop direct working relationships with faculty to support them with their extramural research funding, including providing first-level support with activity on their funding as well as with guidance complying with federal, state, and institutional policy. The Research Administrator will work independently on complex awards involving multiple investigators and/or multiple subawards. Specifically, the Research Administrator assists in the financial management of contract and grant funding, gift, and other support funding. This position will independently process research awards; be responsible for all transactions related to contract and grant management, ensure appropriate approvals are obtained, and maintain contract and grant records in compliance with institutional record retention policies. This position will provide guidance and training to less experienced staff when necessary.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Perform complex and detailed reconciliations of all assigned funds monthly and according to university policy. Review expenditures to date and analyze spending trends. Adjust encumbrances and identify new obligations as needed. Identify discrepancies between planned and actual spending. Identify, investigate, and resolve inappropriate ledger entries.
• Provide to faculty monthly reports on budget versus actual grant expenditures, including budget and expenditure forecasts based on scenarios discussed with the investigator and key performance indicators developed by the RA or dictated by the sponsoring agency. Meet regularly with the investigator to discuss project progress, discuss any issues which need resolution, and provide guidance on any policy changes which will affect the investigators' research.
• Monitor all sponsored project activity throughout the project life-cycle, ensuring compliance with University and sponsor policies. This includes, but is not limited to, monitoring cost overruns; tracking cost-sharing and ensuring all documentation requirements are met and documentation retained and reviewing for unallowable activity. Work with the investigator and appropriate offices to address any changes to the project which require sponsor approval.
• Provide first-level guidance concerning allowability, allocability, reasonableness, and consistency to ensure compliance with appropriate University policies, sponsor terms, and conditions - including all governmental regulations, as well as Cost Accounting Standards. Independently research and stay up to date on all policy changes.
• Coordinate and/or process all transactions on assigned funds, including the hiring of all personnel, summer salary appointments, and procurement actions. Subaward management including coordination of related purchase orders; reviewing subaward agreements and ensuring the investigator at UCM and staff at subaward understand and comply with the terms; review invoices for compliance with administrative policies and budget prior to submission to UCM investigator for review and authorization; and monitor payments to subawardee. Monitor payments to other, non-subaward, vendors. Review and track payroll. Prepare and monitor all payroll and non-payroll cost transfers.
• Assist in the support of audits as directed by senior staff or the central office. Perform year-end financial closing functions for all assigned accounts, maintaining positive fund balances for fiscal year closing. Act as a liaison between investigator and other administrative offices. Assist other university offices with grant-related questions or needs, including preparing detailed sponsor reports or invoices when necessary. Coordinate all closeout activities on assigned grants. Ensure that all final documents are received by sponsoring agency. Work with central offices to identify and resolve timely any issues at closeout. Assist investigator and central office with compliance with effort reporting requirements. Ensure effort reports are consistent with the planned spending on the projects and assist the investigator with questions regarding effort reports.
• Assist investigator and central office with compliance with effort reporting requirements. Ensure effort reports are consistent with the planned spending on the projects and assist investigator with questions regarding effort reports.
• Develop direct working relationships with faculty to support them in the preparation of proposal packets (documents, budgets, timelines, etc.) in accordance with the sponsor call for proposals (funding opportunity).

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited university Science, Business Law, Management, or other related fields. or equivalent experience /training. (Required)
• Advanced degree from an accredited university in Science, Business Law, Management, or other related fields. (Preferred)
• 3 years of progressively responsible, directly related experience working with federal, state, and other contracts and grants, or equivalent experience as outlined. (Required)
• A Master's degree may substitute for one year of experience; however, the candidate must possess actual work experience and the skills, knowledge, and abilities essential to the successful performance of the duties assigned to the position. (Preferred)

CRITICAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Ability to research and self-identify projects for completion.
• Ability to evaluate, analyze, and prioritize workload, projects, and requests.
• Requires thorough understanding of research administration guidelines from Federal and non-Federal sponsors supporting research and educational activities, preferably in a university environment.
• Ability to manage significant volume of transactions.
• Thoroughly knowledgeable in applicable compliance requirements related to use of human or animal subjects in research, financial conflict of interest, biosafety, et cetera.
• Requires independent judgment and strong organization and communication skills. Must have strong customer service focus across broad and diverse subject areas.

Background check will be required.

How to Apply:
An online application is required for each position to apply.The University of California, Merced is aware that some web-based application processes may be cumbersome for differently abled applicants. Where appropriate, alternative accommodations will be provided. For applicants with disabilities who need additional assistance using TAM, or reasonable accommodations during the interview or search process, please contact ucmjobs@ucmerced.edu.

Equal Employment Opportunity:
The University of California, Merced is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer advancing inclusive excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, pregnancy, or status as a disabled veteran or Vietnam-era veteran, or other protected categories covered by the UC Nondiscrimination and Affirmative Action Policy. UC Merced intentionally promotes and maintains a discrimination- and harassment-free workplace by demonstrating it neither condones nor tolerates employment practices that discriminate against or harass any person or specific group of persons on the basis listed above. We seek candidates who will support our vision to cultivate a vibrant, equity-minded, inclusive excellence university community. When applying to UC Merced, we strongly encourage you to reflect on our Principles of Community and our 2021 strategic plan.

Vaccination Program Policy:

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Program Policy. All Covered Individuals under the policy must provide proof of Full Vaccination or, if applicable, submit a request for Exception (based on Medical Exemption, Disability, and/or Religious Objection) or Deferral (based on pregnancy) no later than the applicable deadline. For new University of California employees, the applicable deadline is 14 days after their first date of employment.

Smoke and Tobacco Free Policy:
The University of California, Merced is a smoke and tobacco free workplace. Information and the Smoke and Tobacco Free policy is available at http://smokefree.ucmerced.edu.

E-Verify:
All employers who receive Federal contracts and grants are required to comply with E-Verify, an Internet-based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA). E-Verify electronically verifies employment eligibility by comparing information provided on the I-9 form to records in the DHS and SSA databases. Certain positions funded by federal contracts/subcontracts requires UC Merced to notify job applicants that an E-Verify check will be conducted and the successful candidate must pass the E-Verify check.

Pay, Benefits & Work Schedule:
For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University of California visit: http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/

This position is eligible for the UC Merced Employee Referral Program (ERP). If you were referred by a UC Merced employee, please identify that employee by name in your application as follows:

Step 5 of 7 (on the application) Referrals

How did you hear about the job? (select) "other"

Additional information? (select) "other"

Specific Referral Source? (write in) first and last name of referring employee

Referring employee MUST be named on application for eligibility.