Research Administrator (RSCH ADM 2 CX)

University of California, Davis; Davis (CA); Hybrid; USD 53,000 - 73,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Job summary

University of California, Davis is seeking a Research Administration Analyst to perform extramural planning and budget analysis, support pre- and post-award processes, and forecast for multiple grants. You will collaborate with PIs, department leadership, and the Dean's Office to ensure accurate budgeting and compliant reporting.

The role requires strong analytical and communication skills, familiarity with GAAP, and the ability to present financial information clearly to internal partners.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience relevant to budgeting and finance.
• Solid accounting knowledge including budgeting, forecasting, auditing, and cost management.
• Ability to research, extract and summarize data for complex budgets and forecasts.
• Coordinate projects and present financial information in user-friendly formats.
• Computer skills with word processing, spreadsheets, databases and enterprise software.
• Knowledge of GAAP for fiscal responsibilities and regulatory compliance.
• Strong planning, analytical thinking and problem solving.
• Excellent written and verbal communication across internal stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• 60% Extramural planning and budgetary analysis.
• 30% Accounts management and financial reporting.
• 10% Policy compliance and governance.

Skills

Budget analysis

Forecasting

GAAP knowledge

Analytical skills

Interpersonal communication

Financial controls

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in related area

Tools

Excel

Spreadsheets

Databases

Enterprise software

Word processing

Job description

Job Summary

Under general supervision of the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), provide extramural planning and budgetary analysis; serve as one of the compliance officers for department contract and grant activity and act as a resource to the Private Investigators (PIs), department manager, and chair. Gather and apply financial data and University financial management mechanisms to ensure comprehensive and accurate budget construction. Working closely with assigned PIs responsibilities include pre- and post-award processes, budget preparation, analysis, and forecasting, and informing management of moderate budgets. Conduct financial analysis and effort reporting and participate in financial planning for a wide variety of federal, state, and private grants. Work with Principal Investigators and engineers to understand new proposals, analyze programmatic needs, and make recommendations. Serve as a member of Civil Environmental Engineering (CEE) Contracts and Grants analyst team, providing resources to CEE investigators and research personnel.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
• Experience and knowledge of accounting, mathematics, and financial skills and controls, including financial analysis, assessment and forecasting, auditing, cost accounting and project management.
• Experience to research, mine, create, elicit, analyze, and summarize information from a variety of sources to prepare intricate budgets and accounting and forecasting reports using spreadsheets.
• Experience to coordinate and support completion of assigned projects requiring presenting and managing statistical and financial information in user-friendly formats.
• Computer knowledge and experience to apply various programs (word processing, spreadsheets, databases) and enterprise software to accomplish assignments.
• Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for preparation of all fiscal responsibilities.
• Strong planning and analytical skills to anticipate challenges and analyze problems, ensure compliance, recognize financial discrepancies and implement corrections.
• Interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills to clearly, effectively, and professionally interact with many internal parties in a large organizational structure to provide information, clarify situations, resolve issues and offer innovative solutions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with UC Davis accounting, purchasing, entertainment, travel, and business management practices.
• Knowledge of UC, State, and Federal policies and procedures as it pertains to Fiscal Management and Reporting, Budget and Accounting, Federal Charging Practices, Purchasing, Vendor Relations, Business Contracts, and Uniform Guidance preferred.
• Knowledge of University accounting policies and procedures pertaining to personnel and finance, including cost recovery, cost sharing, effort reporting, and ledger review.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills to analyze data and develop meaningful solutions to specific problems.
• Analytical skills to assume responsibility for coordination and completion of projects requiring interactions with many internal parties in a large organizational structure.

Key Responsibilities

• 60% - EXTRAMURAL PLANNING/BUDGETARY ANALYSIS
• 30% - ACCOUNTS MANAGEMENT
• 10% - Policy Compliance

Department Overview

The Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering is a large, complex academic department in the College of Engineering and provides instruction and research in five specialty areas of engineering. The Department has 39 faculty, 2 adjunct professors, 5 professional research engineers, 10 Professional Scientists and 11 administrative and technical staff. The department administers undergraduate and graduate programs in the college with approximately 650 enrolled undergraduate and 180 graduate students. The department is responsible for administering an annual budget (including contracts and grants, gifts and endowments, and research center activities) of $48M, with total operating expenses of ~$14M (instructional and research) with 450+ active accounts and an eclectic research enterprise externally funded by federal, state and private sponsors, and individual/corporate donors. The incumbent of this position is responsible for providing advice and guidance to the Chair, CAO, PI's, etc., and works closely with the Dean's Office, Office of Research 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 campus and college wide committees associated with financial management matters.

POSITION INFORMATION

• Salary or Pay Range: $38.67 - $53.09
• Salary Frequency: Hourly
• Salary Grade: 151
• UC Job Title: RSCH ADM 2 CX
• UC Job Code: 004486
• Number of Positions: 1
• Appointment Type: Staff: Career
• Percentage of Time: 100% Fixed
• Shift (Work Schedule): M - F 8:00AM - 5:00PM
• Location: Davis, Ca
• Union Representation: CX-Clerical/Admin
• Benefits Eligible: Yes
• This position is hybrid (mix of on-site and remote work)

Benefits

Outstanding benefits and perks are among the many rewards of working for the University of California. UC Davis offers a full range of benefits, resources and programs to help you bring your best self to work, as well as to help you and your family achieve your health, wellness, financial and career goals. Learn more about the benefits below and eligibility by visiting UCnet Benefits Page or Benefits Summary for UC Davis Health Employees or Benefits Summary for UC Davis Employees.

• High quality and low-cost medical plans to choose from to fit your family's needs
• UC pays for dental and vision coverage for you and your family
• Retirement plans for eligible employees including Pension and other Retirement Saving Plans
• Supplemental insurance offered including additional life, short/long term disability, pet insurance, legal coverage, accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity
• Pregnancy and Parental Leave, Family & Medical Leave, Adoption Assistance and Pay for Family Care and Bonding for eligible employees
• Lactation Support Program and Family Care discounts and resources
• Employee Well-being resources and programming to support thriving in all aspects of employee’s lives
• On-site Employee Assistance Program including access to free mental health services
• Generous amount of paid Holidays annually as outlined in the UC Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreements
• Paid Time Off/Vacation/Sick Time as outlined in the UC Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreements
• Continuing Education (CE) allowance and Staff Education Reimbursement Program for eligible employees
• Access to free professional development courses and learning opportunities for personal and professional growth
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer and Student Loan Debt Counseling Program for eligible employees

Physical Demands

• Standing - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Walking - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Sitting - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Lifting/Carrying 0-25 Lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Lifting/Carrying 26-50 lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Lifting/Carrying over 50 lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Pushing/Pulling 0-25 Lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Pushing/Pulling 26-50 lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Pushing/Pulling over 50 lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Bending/Stooping - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Squatting/Kneeling - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Twisting - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Climbing (e.g., stairs or ladders) - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Reaching overhead - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Keyboard use/repetitive motion - Occasional Up to 3 Hours

Environmental Demands

• Chemicals, dust, gases, or fumes - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Loud noise levels - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
• Marked changes in humidity or temperature - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Microwave/Radiation - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Operating motor vehicles and/or equipment - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Extreme Temperatures - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Uneven Surfaces or Elevations - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours

Mental Demands

• Sustained attention and concentration - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
• Complex problem solving/reasoning - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Ability to organize & prioritize - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
• Communication skills - Continuous 6 to 8+ HoursNumerical skills - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Constant Interaction - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Customer/Patient Contact - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
• Multiple Concurrent Tasks - Occasional Up to 3 Hours

Work Environment

UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco free campus effective January 1, 2014. Smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco products, and the use of unregulated nicotine products (e-cigarettes) will be strictly prohibited on any UC Davis owned or leased property, indoors and outdoors, including parking lots and residential space. Work occasional overtime to meet workload deadlines or operation needs. Limited vacation during busy periods, such as fiscal closing and during grant/project deadlines.

Special Requirements

• This is a critical position, as defined by UC Policy and local procedures, and as such, employment is contingent upon clearing a criminal background check(s) and may include drug screening, medical evaluation clearance and functional capacity assessment

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

A Culture of Opportunity and Belonging

At UC Davis, we’re committed to solving life’s most urgent challenges and building a healthier, more resilient world. We believe in growing through every challenge, continually striving to improve, and welcoming new perspectives that strengthen our community. We recognize that a vibrant and innovative organization values both individual strengths and shared purpose. The best ideas often emerge when people with different experiences come together. As you consider joining UC Davis, we invite you to explore our Principles of Community, our Clinical Strategic Plan and strategic vision for research and education. We believe you belong here. The University of California, Davis is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status. To view the University of California’s Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination. Because we want you to feel seen and valued, our recruitment process at UC Davis supports openness and authenticity. Research shows that some individuals hesitate to apply unless they meet every qualification. You may be an excellent fit for this role-or the next one. We encourage you to apply even if your experience doesn't match every listed requirement. #YouBelongHere #CA-CB