Coordinator, Inner Space Center (ISC) & Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute

University of Rhode Island; Narragansett (RI); Hybrid; USD 77,000 - 82,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Rhode Island is seeking a Coordinator for the Inner Space Center (ISC) and Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute to provide programmatic and administrative support. The role includes developing protocols to track spending and coordinating ISC transactions in partnership with URI offices.

The position requires budget reporting, project management, and strong written and verbal communication skills, with eligibility for remote/hybrid work and a calendar-year, full-time schedule.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum three years of business management experience.
• Demonstrated experience with project and personnel management.
• Demonstrated experience in budget preparation and income/expense analysis.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced and deadline-driven environment.
• Demonstrated experience with Google Workspace suite of tools.
• Demonstrated experience with web-based reporting and management.
• Demonstrated ability to prepare and present reports.
• Demonstrated organizational skills.
• Demonstrated strong verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated proficiency in written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse groups/populations.

Responsibilities

• Assist ISC and OECI with programmatic and administrative support.
• Develop and implement protocols to track spending across ISC projects.
• Coordinate financial and administrative support for all ISC transactions.
• Serve as liaison with URI OSP and URI OECI administrative office.
• Assist with pre and post award requirements in coordination with URI OSP.

Skills

Verbal communication

Interpersonal skills

Written communication

Budget reporting

Reporting presentation

Deadline-driven

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Google Workspace

Microsoft 365

Job description

Position Information

Posting Number SF02242 Job Title Coordinator, Inner Space Center (ISC) & Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute Position Number PS# 00008223 FTE 1.00 FLSA Exempt Position Type Professional Staff Union PSA/NEA - Professional Staff Assoc Pay Grade Level Grade Level: 9 Pay Grade Range Salary Hiring Range: $77,000 - $82,000 Status Calendar Year, Full-time, Limited

Department Information

Department GSO Research Contact(s)

Contact Information

Contact Phone/Extension Contact Email Physical Demands Campus Location Narragansett Bay Campus Grant Funded Yes Extension Contingency Notes

Contract Details

The position is full-time calendar year, limited to 06/27/2027 with anticipated renewal.

Remote/Hybrid Work Schedule

THE POSITION IS ELIGIBLE FOR A REMOTE/HYBRID WORK SCHEDULE.

Job Description Summary

Search will be open until filled. First consideration will be given to applications received by 11/05/2026. Applications received after 11/05/2026 may be reviewed depending on search progress and needs but are not guaranteed full consideration.

About URI

The University of Rhode Island enrolls approximately 17,000 students across its graduate and undergraduate programs and is the State’s flagship public research university, as well as the land grant and sea grant university, for the state of Rhode Island. The main campus is located in the historic village of Kingston, and the Bay Campus is located in Narragansett. Both campuses are near major beaches in a beautiful coastal community. URI is just 30 minutes from Providence, RI and within easy reach of Newport, Boston, and New York City.

Position Summary

Assist the Inner Space Center and Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute (OECI) with programmatic and administrative support. Develop and implement protocols to track spending across all ISC projects.

Coordinate financial and administrative support for all ISC transactions and serve as a liaison with URI Office of Sponsored Projects, and the URI OECI administrative office. Assist with pre and post award requirements in coordination with URI OSP.

Assist with managing the ISC calendar of meetings to include scheduling and keeping meeting minutes for routine meetings with funding agencies.

Hire contractors and students working on projects and general administrative tasks. Assist with travel, procurement, and invoicing functions within the ISC. Track the ISC Service Center budget and provide regular reports.

Duties and Responsibilities

Track and report financial and progress across ISC projects to include financial and operational milestones. Assist in invoicing and financial reporting for each project. Develop protocols to track operational milestones and spending across all ISC projects.

Manage the finances and administration of several multi-year government funded projects. This includes processing and managing sub awards (payments, budget, and close-out); developing annual budgets; processing and managing awards(including expense monitoring) through URI systems. Submit and track award actions through the URI system to ensure timely processing.

Process monthly invoices and clearing of advances.

Prepare monthly financial reports for multiple projects. Review, interpret and analyze monthly spending and compare against budgets. Prepare quarterly accruals, end of year and end of project financial reports to sponsors.

Assist in the preparation of budgets and supporting documents for proposals and related submission.

Manage travel for ISC. Prepare and assist in all phases of domestic and international travel as needed. Coordinate all related logistics, including, but not limited to: lodging, meals, ground transport and daily logistical schedules, etc. Initiate Travel Authorization Requests (pre-travel) and submit Expense Reports (post-travel) for ISC staff, contractors, and students.

Assist in human resources actions including participation in ISC search committees (including required trainings) as requested; assisting in advertising, hiring of URI and non-URI project staff; mentoring/orienting administrative and finance staff; hiring and supervising students; processing Graduate Assistantships; processing faculty and internal payroll contracts; processing and managing personal service contract.

Assist with ISC interns.

Coordinate logistics for meetings and tours at URI and as necessary for ISC projects. This includes obtaining visas, pre-departure and arrival orientations, lodging, transport, health and accident insurance and ground transport.

Manage ISC’S Service Center and project purchasing and procurement of supplies and equipment. Responsible for coordinating quotes, RFQ’s, RFP’s, working with suppliers, etc. Coordinate ISC space, building maintenance and repair.

Travel one or two times a year to partner institutions or NOAA offices to review finances, standard operating procedures, administrative policy, and systems, and participate in work planning. Train URI and non-URI project staff on protocols, review of policy and procedures, etc.

Initiate and prepare personnel action forms. Perform Additional Duties As Required.

LICENSES, TOOLS, AND EQUIPMENT

Personal computers, printers; Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Adobe Acrobat.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Minimum three years of business management experience.
• Demonstrated experience with project and personnel management.
• Demonstrated experience in budget preparation and income/expense analysis.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced and deadline-driven environment.
• Demonstrated experience with Google Workspace suite of tools.
• Demonstrated experience with web-based reporting and management.
• Demonstrated ability to prepare and present reports.
• Demonstrated organizational skills.
• Demonstrated strong verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated proficiency in written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse groups/populations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum three years of business management experience in a research setting at a university, college, or government agency.
• Demonstrated knowledge of federal grants management, specifically the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

EEO Statement

URI is unwavering in its commitment to equal opportunity, community, equity, and diversity. In furtherance of its mission to serve and support all learners as the state’s public flagship university, URI continues to expand efforts to recruit and retain a broadly representative workforce as well as to regularly evaluate the effectiveness of those efforts. All employment decisions, including hiring, are made without regard to protected status. Qualified individuals with disabilities may request reasonable accommodation by contacting the URI benefits office at 401-874-2416. For TTY assistance, contact R.I. Relay Services at 711.

Environmental Conditions

This position is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.

Posting Date 10/23/2026 Closing Date

Note: References will be upon request by the search committee.