BSS-SPS Budget Analyst II

Job Description Summary:

UCAR Community Programs (UCP) is excited to announce the job opening for the Business Shared Services (BSS) Budget Analyst II role. This position will (1) provide advanced level financial analysis and award lifecycle management of assigned award portfolios that may include cooperative agreements, grants, and/or contracts, (2) conduct advanced level budget development, projections, analysis, cost control, as well as will prepare financial reports and documentation for awards for external and internal entities, and (3) advise and partner with program staff in business activities related to proposals, finance, and administration.

This position will work closely with the Scientific Partner and Service Center’s (SPS) Cooperative Programs for the Advancement of Earth System Science’s (CPAESS) Business Office, Leadership, UCAR Operations, and will ensure compliance with federal sponsor and/or award requirements.

Successful candidates will demonstrate advanced knowledge and application of institutional policies, federal and sponsor requirements, OMB Uniform Guidance, generally accepted cost principles, and audit requirements.

Position Details:

Visa Sponsored Job:

No

Relocation Assistance Eligible:

No

Job Location:

Boulder, Colorado

Position Type & Term:

Full time, Regular

$75,989 - $94,989

*Final salary and rates are based on education, experience, and skills relevant to the role.*

Application Notes

Application Deadline: This position will be posted until 11:59pm MT November 19, 2024. Applications will not be accepted past this date.

Required application materials (preferably in PDF Format): 

• Resume

• Cover Letter - Please address how your skills and experience meet the needs of this position (specifically within the Key Responsibilities categories (Award & Financial Management; Proposals and  Data Management, & Analysis) as well as the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities sections of this job posting).

• Application Questionnaire - Provide brief responses to your experiences with the following topics/skills (to be completed within the application):

  • Diffrentiating communication across diverse audiences.

  • Comfortability/proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets.

  • Managing complex awards (including providing a list of sponsor(s) and range of total award amounts).

  • Your supervision and management style and approach to supporting the professional development and growth of your staff.

Background checks are conducted for candidates selected for hire. Learn more.

Work Location:  This position is open to candidates seeking in-person, hybrid (combination of in-person and remote), and fully remote opportunities. Regardless of flexible work arrangements, UCAR requires ALL positions to be performed within the U.S., excluding U.S. Territories.

What You Will Do

Here is a summary of what one would expect to be generally responsible for in this role.

Key Responsibilities

Award and Financial Management

• Manage and coordinate the lifecycle of direct awards (cooperative agreements, grants, contracts), including administrative actions and programmatic reporting in collaboration with CPAESS leadership and communications team.

• Enter, maintain, and utilize UCAR financial and business systems to forecast, monitor, and reconcile awards, ensuring data accuracy and compliance.

• Conduct timely monthly monitoring of accounts, including tracking, reconciling, and projecting expenses and staff allocations within the assigned award portfolio. Identify discrepancies and perform necessary journal entries or budget transfers.

• Design and conduct recurring and ad hoc reviews and analyses of award portfolios to ensure compliance with UCAR policies, federal and sponsor requirements, OMB Uniform Guidance, and audit requirements. Proactively identify issues/risks and develop data-informed recommendations.

• Design and conduct financial reporting for sponsors and CPAESS leadership, providing detailed monthly and ad hoc financial analyses to monitor award activity and ensure alignment with generally accepted cost principles.

Proposals, Data Management, & Analysis

• Serve as the lead proposal administrator, collaborating with Principal Investigators to develop proposal timelines, roles, and responsibilities, and leading the development of budgets and budget narratives.

• Coordinate and direct the SPS-BSS team on supporting documents, partner with the UCP Proposal Office and UCAR Contracts as needed, and ensure proposal compliance with sponsor requirements.

• Enter and manage proposal data in UCAR business systems and sponsor platforms.

• Develop and conduct reporting for monthly, quarterly, and year-end statistics and trends, ensuring consistency and accuracy in data usage, and maintaining statistics and metrics.

• Contribute to the development and implementation of data tracking and analysis as required, supporting the overall management and enhancement of statistical reporting processes.

Liaison to Federal Stakeholders 

• Provide expertise to federal stakeholders on award allowability and compliance, offering guidance within the assigned portfolio.

• Track and coordinate sponsor inquiries and requests concerning the assigned award portfolio, ensuring efficient handling and response.

• Prepare budgets and projections as per sponsor requests and deliver recurring as well as ad hoc budget reports, analyses, and other pertinent information to sponsors.

Who We'd Love To Join Our Team

Successful candidates will ensure their application materials speak to the following criteria:

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant academic discipline; 

• 5 years of related experience; 

  • Or an equivalent combination of education and experience that qualifies the individual to perform the duties as described (e.g. a Master’s degree in a relevant academic discipline and 3 years of related experience, etc.).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Advanced skill in proposal/budget preparation and submission via federal and organizational proposal platforms and management systems.

• Advanced skills in budget development and analysis, cost control, and development of relevant statistics.

• Advanced skills in financial analysis, including the use of spreadsheet applications to develop and present status reports.

• Intermediate working knowledge of government award requirements (cooperative agreements, grants, and contracts), including knowledge and application of OMB Uniform Administrative Guidance and organizational policies and procedures.

• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, including a proven ability to translate complex information into easily understood language. 

• Sensitivity and discretion in handling confidential information.

• Ability to work independently and also able to work effectively in a team situation.

• Ability to identify information sources for solving problems, anticipate organizational problems before they arise, and respond appropriately.

Desired, but not required:

• Working knowledge proposal submission via federal and UCAR proposal platforms and management systems.

Benefits Overview 

UCAR affirms its commitment to employees through competitive benefits. In addition to medical, dental, vision, retirement, and life insurance,  UCAR offers a variety of programs focused on work-life balance and professional, and personal development. These include:

• Tuition Assistance, time off allowance to attend classes, and other professional development opportunities

• UCAR contributes 10% of your eligible pay into your retirement account; 100% fully vested on day one

• Starting minimum accrual of 20 days of personal time off each year (prorated for less than full-time positions)

• 10 paid holidays

• 10 days of sick leave each year

• 12 weeks of paid parental leave

• Short-term medical leave paid at 100% of your regular salary

• EcoPass for local Colorado residents to use the Denver and Boulder-area transit system at no cost

Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Our organization is committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment and fostering a culture where everyone feels welcome and supported. To learn more about these efforts, visit the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Strategic Plan and our Diversity & Inclusion: A Welcoming Workplace site. 

Research shows that women and people of color are less likely to apply for a position if they do not meet almost 100% of the desired skills and experience. Please note this is not necessary! If you meet the minimum requirements and have a passion for the work, you are encouraged to apply. We can provide on-the-job training for the rest!

Commitment to Job Application Fairness

Applicants are not required to provide age or age-related information and may redact information related to age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution from any submissions during the initial application process.

Some Final Considerations

At UCAR|NCAR|UCP, you will work alongside a dedicated team of professionals conducting critical research and community outreach to solve complex Earth system science  problems including climate change, air pollution, extreme weather, floods, drought, wildfires, and space weather, all with the goal of improving human life and reducing economic loss. Each of us, from scientists to the professionals who support their work, serves the public and a collaborative community of scientists in our mission to understand the complex processes that make up the Earth system, from the ocean floor to the Sun’s core.

Flexible Work

At UCAR, we are committed to supporting our mission by giving staff the flexibility to find the schedule and location that works best to maintain their own work-life circumstances and reach their full potential as professionals. Many positions within our organization are eligible for fully on-site, hybrid, fully-remote and/or flexible work schedules.

Equal Opportunity Employer

UCAR is committed to providing equal opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or pregnancy. Whatever your intersection of identities, you are welcome at UCAR.

Export Control

All positions are required to comply with U.S. export compliance regulations work location requirements regarding access to facilities and research systems.

Visa Wait Times

Please consider the length of visa procurement when applying for this posting, understanding that you will not be able to begin employment until you are able to get a visa and enter the U.S.