RSCH ADM 3 (Contracts & Grants Financial Analyst)

Department Purpose

Bodega Marine Laboratory (BML) is a complex academic unit under the umbrella of Office of Research (OR), facilitating research, education, and public outreach in several areas of marine and coastal science. Personnel includes approximately 8-10 faculty, 3-6 postdoctoral researchers, 4-6 junior specialist, 6-10 graduate students, 10-12 research associates, 1-3 academic administrators, and 4-5 lab assistants. The Research Analyst will focus on PI proposals and/or awards. The focus is to support BML departmental needs, as well as other team members in the department, which may change over time consistent with changes in the business needs of the Sponsored Programs Office (SPO). The Analyst works in an independent manner, providing advice and guidance to the BML Director, Associate Director, CAO, and Principle Investigators (PI’s) and works closely with the Dean’s office, OR, Business Contracts, Accounting and Financial Services, sponsoring agencies, and other external parties (subcontractors, consultants, etc.) to facilitate the timely submission of proposals to expedite the transfer of awards. Serves on BML, EVE, CMSI & OR committees associated with financial management and funding source matters.

Job Summary

The Research Analyst position is located in Davis, CA, and provides direct support to Bodega Marine Laboratory (BML) with backup support to the Coastal and Marine Sciences Institute (CMSI) and the Department of Evolution & Ecology (EVE). This position will require occasional (1-2 times per month) travel to BML which is a approximately 2 hours from Davis.

The Analyst is independently responsible for: fiscal control, accounting and reporting for a wide variety of contracts and grants and full financial portfolio of Principle Investigators (PIs). Serves as one of the compliance officers for department’s contracts and grants activity and is a primary resource advisor to faculty for pre- and post-award processes, research personnel, and financial planning. Works in a highly independent capacity, dealing with complex proposals and award management to ensure comprehensive and accurate budget development. Responsible for a diverse scope of pre- and post-award processes, budget development, analysis, forecasting, and full control of complex budgets.

Provides highly complex financial analysis and effort reporting, and participates in the financial planning for a wide variety of federal, state, and private grants. Works with PIs and research staff to understand cross-disciplinary proposals, analyze programmatic needs, and make recommendations. Compliance expert to University policy and procedures for department and research business processes. Independently serves as liaison and department representative to the Office of Research, Accounting and Financial Services, Sponsored Programs Office, Business Contracts, and outside agencies, including federal and private sponsoring agencies as well as prime- and sub-contracting agencies.

This position reports to the BML Chief Administrative Officer, and is located in the EVE office on the Davis campus, with daily operational support and oversight from the EVE CAO.

POSITION INFORMATION

This position may be eligible for remote and/or hybrid remote work arrangements

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Work at a computer for extended periods of time. Lift/move financial documents to storage purposes occasionally.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Work with frequent interruptions. Work flexible schedule. Work outside of regular work schedule to meet workload deadlines or operational needs. Limited vacation during busy periods, such as fiscal closing and during grant/proposal deadlines.
• Schedule: 8-5 primarily at Davis campus with 2-3 days per month at BML
• The Smoke and Tobacco Free Environment policy is intended to provide a healthier, safer, and more productive work and learning environment for the entire UC community. The University of California prohibits smoking and tobacco use at all University owned or leased properties, or facilities operated by UC staff or faculty. Smoking and tobacco use are strictly prohibited in indoor and outdoor spaces, parking lots, residential space, and University vehicles. https://ucdavispolicy.ellucid.com/documents/view/271

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Additional Minimum License/Certification:

• CRA-Certified Research Administrator certificate or ability to successfully obtain within 12 months.

Minimum Education/Experience:           

• Experience in financial analysis, forecasting and strategic planning to analyze quantitative aspects of fiscal and budgetary issues and with compiling financial data and reports.
• Experience in federal, state, and private grant budget preparation based on narrative methodological research plans and designs, analysis, and forecasting to control complex budgets as well as with financial reporting policies.
• Experience recognizing and responding to problems with cost recovery, invoices, accounts and payroll.
• Experience providing leadership and decision making to solve problems and to evaluate business needs and critical thinking and problem-solving skills to analyze complex data and develop meaningful solutions to specific problems.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA) :

• Interpersonal and communication skills to effectively communicate and interact with Dean’s Office, Sponsored Programs Office, campus departments, Principle Investigators, CAO, staff, and students to ensure compliance with UCD policy and procedures. Initiative and ability to work independently and as part of a team. Must be able to work independently and adjust to hanging priorities in workloads.
• Organizational skills to work with changing priorities and demanding workload to independently manage and monitor multiple accounts simultaneously and to meet multiple and variable priorities and deadlines.
• Maintain strict confidentiality and exercise discretion and sound judgment in dealing with sensitive or potentially controversial matters. Maintain up-to-date knowledge of policies and procedures affecting the financial management of the unit’s intramural and extramural funds. Pay attention to details and follow-through.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Preferred Education/Experience:            

• Experience with UC Davis accounting, purchasing, entertainment, travel and business management practices.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA) :

• Knowledge of UC Davis hiring/employment practices within an academic department.
• Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles, cost allocation methods, and accounting policies and procedures in an academic environment.
• Knowledge of Federal and State funding practices. Preparation of budgets for research grant funding sources.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Background Check

This position is a critical position and subject to a background check. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of background investigation including criminal history and identity checks.

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