The University of New Mexico’s Office of Sponsored Projects (OSP) is looking for a motivated, detailed-oriented, self-starter to join our team of professionals as a Sponsored Projects Officer.

OSP is a core office that provides administration, management, and oversight of the world class extramural sponsored research programs being conducted at our R1 Carnegie- designated University. We provide an exciting, multifaceted, and fast paced work environment that emphasizes customer service, professionalism, and growth.

This staff position supports one or more functional areas.  The function of the Sponsored Projects Officer position is to provide advanced sponsored projects knowledge and professional skills to the research community. This position will provide internal proposal review, approval and submission processing to external funding agencies. This position may also provide award acceptance and set-up processing of sponsored research grants and contracts in in the form of new awards as well as amendments to existing awards.  To be successful in this position, the candidate must be knowledgeable of regulatory compliance both internally through UNM policies, but also familiar with external polices including but not limited to state/federal agencies, OMB Uniform Guidance, and Federal Acquisition Regulations.

The selected candidate will have the ability to demonstrate critical thinking, analysis, independent judgement, problem recognition, problem-solving, robust attention to detail, and keen organizational skills. A strong candidate will demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate with a variety of stakeholders in a positive tone using clear and concise messaging (in both oral and written communication) and operate with a sense of urgency, while assisting Principal Investigators with understanding compliance requirements and following applicable policies and procedures.  

The responsibilities of a Sponsored Projects Officer include:

• Review proposals and budgets for compliance with sponsor policies, University policy, State and Federal regulations, including but not limited to 2CFR 200 Uniform Guidance.
  
• Endorse completed proposals and submit to extramural sponsors.
  
• Review new awards and modifications to agreements for compliance with University policy, State and Federal regulations, including but not limited to 2CFR 200 Uniform Guidance.
  
• Prepare, process, and finalize award set-up.
  
• Demonstrate the ability to navigate and utilize various electronic research portals to process actions.
  
• Maintain knowledge of and interpret applicable policies, regulations and procedures from the University, State and Federal government, granting agencies, and various private foundations and industries.
  
• Effectively communicate with and serve as a liaison between granting agencies, University administration, and Principal Investigators to resolve internal policy, solicitation or award-related concerns and issues.
  
• Coordinate with compliance offices (e.g. Export Control (EC), Financial Conflict of Interest (FCOI), Internal Review Board (IRB)) to ensure PI meets the minimum requirements for sponsored project actions.
  
• Contribute to continuous improvement of processes to maximize and streamline for efficiency and effectiveness.
  
• Provide the highest level of customer service; and
  

• Complete other duties or special projects as assigned.

During the probationary period, new employees are trained on-site in the Office of Sponsored Projects. After the probationary period is complete, and new employees have successfully demonstrated completion of workload actions according to standard operating procedures and maintained consistency in production volume, the option to enter into hybrid or remote arrangements in coordination with OSP Management may be available.

See the Position Description for additional information.

Bachelor's degree; at least 3 years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.

Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree, at least 3 years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.

• Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.

Preferred Qualifications

• 5 years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and comfortable working in computer database systems.
• Excellent customer service and strong sense of professionalism
• Strong verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge and understanding of Federal, State and University regulations, guidelines and policies covering contracting and granting processes for institutions of higher education.
• Experience working with a variety of sponsors: federal, industry, non/for-profit, foreign, other universities.

Only applications submitted through the official UNMJobs site will be accepted. If you are viewing this job advertisement on a 3rd party site, please visit UNMJobs to submit an application.

Positions posted with a Staff Type of Regular or Term are eligible for the Veteran Preference Program. See the Veteran Preference Program webpage for additional details.

The University of New Mexico is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.

The University of New Mexico requires all regular staff positions successfully pass a pre-employment background check. This may include, but is not limited to, a criminal history background check, New Mexico Department of Health fingerprint screening, New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department fingerprint screening, verification of education credentials, and/or verification of prior employment. For more information about background checks, visit https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3280.html. Refer to https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3200.html for a definition of Regular Staff.