Compliance Officer (Land Grant)

Central State University; Wilberforce (OH); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Central State University is seeking a Compliance Officer (Land Grant) to lead the university's federal and state compliance efforts for its 1890 Land-Grant mission. The role reports to the Chief Compliance Officer and General Counsel and will develop, administer, monitor, and evaluate compliance programs across research, extension, and grant activities.

The position coordinates with academic and administrative units to promote regulatory compliance, risk mitigation, and program integrity,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• Five years of progressively responsible experience in compliance, grants administration, public higher education, research administration, auditing, risk management, or related field.
• Knowledge of federal grant and cooperative agreement requirements, compliance frameworks, and regulatory obligations applicable to institutions of higher education.
• Strong analytical, organizational, investigation, communication, and project management skills.
• Ability to interpret laws, regulations, and funding requirements and translate them into operational guidance.

Responsibilities

• Administer and coordinate Land-Grant compliance and monitoring activities within the university’s compliance program.
• Monitor compliance with federal and state laws, regulations, grant terms, and policies affecting 1890 Land-Grant programs.
• Provide compliance support related to USDA, NIFA, extension, and related initiatives, including procurement and contracting.
• Conduct compliance reviews, risk assessments, internal audits, and monitoring to identify gaps and recommend corrective actions.
• Develop and maintain procedures, guidance documents, reporting tools, and internal controls for Land-Grant operations.
• Coordinate reporting and documentation required by government agencies and funding entities.
• Collaborate with research administration, extension leadership, finance, grants management, procurement, and program administrators to promote compliance standards.
• Provide training and educational programs regarding regulatory requirements and institutional expectations.
• Investigate potential compliance concerns and assist with corrective action plans and remediation.
• Maintain records of compliance activities and responses; assist with external reviews, inspections, and audits.
• Prepare reports for the Chief Compliance Officer and General Counsel on emerging risks and trends.

Skills

Analytical skills

Regulatory interpretation

Investigative ability

Communication

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Job Summary/Basic Function

The Compliance Officer (Land Grant) serves as the University’sprimary compliance professional for federal and state obligationsassociated with its 1890 Land-Grant mission. Reporting to the ChiefCompliance Officer and General Counsel, the position develops,administers, monitors, and evaluates compliance programs related toresearch, extension, agricultural programs, cooperative extension,federally funded grants and cooperative agreements, outreachinitiatives, and other Land-Grant activities. The positioncoordinates with academic and administrative units to promoteregulatory compliance, risk mitigation, accountability, and programintegrity.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Administer and coordinate the University’s Land-Grant complianceand compliance monitoring activities in accordance with theUniversity-wide compliance program.
• Monitor compliance with applicable federal and state laws,regulations, agency guidance, grant award terms, and Universitypolicies affecting 1890 Land-Grant programs.
• Provide compliance support related to USDA, NIFA, extension,agricultural research, capacity-building grants, outreach programs,and other Land-Grant initiatives, including procurement andcontracting processes.
• Conduct compliance reviews, risk assessments, internal audits,and monitoring activities to identify compliance gaps and recommendcorrective actions.
• Develop and maintain compliance procedures, guidance documents,reporting tools, and internal controls for Land-Grantoperations.
• Coordinate compliance reporting and documentation required bygovernmental agencies and funding entities.
• Collaborate with research administration, extension leadership,finance, grants management, procurement, and program administratorsto promote compliance standards.
• Provide training and educational programs regarding regulatoryrequirements and institutional expectations.
• Investigate potential compliance concerns and assist withcorrective action plans and remediation efforts.
• Maintain records demonstrating compliance activities, monitoringefforts, and institutional responses.
• Assist with external reviews, inspections, audits,accreditation-related requests, and agency inquiries affectingLand-Grant operations.
• Prepare reports and recommendations for the Chief ComplianceOfficer and General Counsel regarding emerging compliance risks andtrends.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• Five years of progressively responsible experience in compliance,grants administration, public higher education, researchadministration, auditing, risk management, or related field.
• Knowledge of federal grant and cooperative agreementrequirements, compliance frameworks, and regulatory obligationsapplicable to institutions of higher education.
• Strong analytical, organizational, investigation, communication,and project management skills.
• Ability to interpret laws, regulations, and funding requirementsand translate them into operational guidance.

Core Competencies

• Regulatory Compliance
• Risk Assessment and Internal Controls
• Policy Development
• Audit Readiness
• Training and Education
• Investigative Analysis
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Written and Oral Communication

Preferred Qualifications

• Terminal degree in law (JD) or an advanced degree in publicadministration, agriculture, business, compliance, or relateddiscipline.
• Experience with Land-Grant institutions, Cooperative Extension,agricultural research, USDA programs, or federally funded highereducation programs.
• Professional certification in compliance, auditing, riskmanagement, grants management, or a related area.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Background Check:

All offers of employment at Central StateUniversity are contingent upon the successful completion of acompprehensive background check. This may include, but is notlimited to, verification of education and employment history,criminal history check, driving record (if applicable), drugscreening, and tax compliance review. Certain positions may require additional screenings based on jobresponsibilities, regulatory requirements, or fundingsources. Failure to successfully complete the required background check orprovide accurate and complete information may result in withdrawalof an offer or termination of employment.

Work Authorization:

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and throughout the employment. The University is not able to sponsor employment visas for this position now or in the future.

Position Category

Staff - Monthly (Exempt)

Budgeted Annual Salary

Commensurate with experience

Required Documents

1. Resume