Job Information
Colorado State University Financial and Research Project Manager - Level I or II in Fort Collins, Colorado
Posting Detail Information
Working TitleFinancial and Research Project Manager - Level I or II
Position LocationFort Collins, CO
Work LocationPosition qualifies for hybrid/in-office work
Research Professional PositionNo
Posting Number202400197AP
Position TypeAdmin Professional/ Research Professional
Classification TitleResearch Coordinator
Number of Vacancies2
Work Hours/Week40
Proposed Annual Salary Range64,000 to 70,000
Employee Benefits
Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, commitment todiversity, equity and inclusion (https://inclusiveexcellence.colostate.edu/about/) , and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.
For detailed benefit plan information for eligible employees, visithttps://hr.colostate.edu/hr-community-and-supervisors/benefits/benefits-eligibility/andhttps://hr.colostate.edu/prospective-employees/our-perks/.
For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, visithttps://hr.colostate.edu/total-compensation-calculator/.
For more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in, visithttps://hr.colostate.edu/prospective-employees/our-community/.
Desired Start Date04/01/2024
Position End Date (if temporary)
To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on03/11/2024
Description of Work Unit
The Department of Atmospheric Science ( ATS ) is a highly ranked academic and research department in the College of Engineering at Colorado State University. ATS includes world renowned faculty, research and research support staff, and graduate students that comprise one of the most research-active units at the university. CSU’s Atmospheric Science Department is nationally ranked near the top of its field, leading to growth in academics and exciting collaborative research.
The ATS department staff is highly collaborative in nature and consists of a dynamic team of Research Project Managers, Travel/Purchasing Coordinators, Graduate Advisor, Administrative Assistants, Communications Coordinator, and Human Resources. As a research-intensive unit, the ATS portfolio consists of funding from federal, state, private sector, non-profit, and international sponsors. The department staff works closely with faculty addressing societal challenges related to climate change, extreme weather, and air pollution, among other areas. The team works together to grow the next generation of leaders and scientists to support and address the challenges we hear in the news every day.
ATS is located at Colorado State University’s scenic foothills campus in Fort Collins; a community that blends education and industry, hard work and recreation, tradition, and progress (http://www.visitftcollins.com/). We enjoy 300+ sunny dates every year and over 315 miles of bike routes and trails cover FC. As the fourth largest city in Colorado, just 65 miles north of Denver, Fort Collins offers urban amenities with a friendly, hometown feeling.
This position does not directly participate in the scientific research of any project.
Position Summary
The Department of Atmospheric Science is looking to hire two Research Project Managers, one at an entry level and one at an intermediate level. This position provides day-to-day financial management of scientific research portfolios; working alongside department faculty and senior research scientists to coordinate multiple research projects and ensure successful on-time and on-budget project completion. Research Project Managers (RPMs) are an integral part of our research groups. They actively participate in thefinancial managementof the group and coordination of research projects with the PI from proposal preparation to award closeout.
While not participating directly in the research projects, this position plays a leading role in the preparation and submission of scientific proposals to external sponsors that include federal, state, and local government agencies, industry, and foundations. Organization, attention to detail, critical thinking, strong and concise writing ability, and a willingness to learn and grow are key to success in this position. This position works with individuals and teams of faculty, research staff, university administrations, sponsors and scientific collaborators in the US and abroad, requiring excellent interpersonal skills and a willingness to collaborate.
The individual in this position must demonstrate commitment to a quality work product and environment. Aspects of this position will require independent work in addition to the team collaboration, so an individual who is proactive, a self-starter and able to prioritize and balance competing tasks is a well-suited candidate for this role.
The individual in this position should be capable of coordinating expenditure planning for a complex portfolio of research projects and institutional funds in partnership with the PI, forecasting and recommending appropriate solutions for any funding shortfalls with respect to support of scientific staff, consumables, scientific equipment, or project travel.
The individual in this position does not typically execute financial transactions. Their role is to review, and approve or decline, requests for project-related expenditures, in line with University and Federal guidelines and consultation with the project principal investigator (PI), as needed.
The individual in this position will be supervised directly by the Senior Research Project Manager.
The department is willing to offer one day of working remotely after a sixty-day probationary period. Remote work would require the employee to complete a teleworking agreement.
Required Job Qualifications
Required job qualifications RPM level I:
Bachelor’s degree OR 6-years work experience with a high school diploma will be considered in lieu of a Bachelor’s degree
Advanced skills in Microsoft Office, emphasis on Excel, and Adobe Acrobat
Strong communication skills
Willingness to collaborate and strong interpersonal skills
Required job qualifications RPM Level II:
Bachelor’s degree OR 8 years of work experience or a CRA certification (with a High School Diploma) will be considered in lieu of a Bachelor’s degree.
Minimum three years of financial management or related experience
Demonstrated effective written and verbal communication skills
Advanced skills in Microsoft Word, Excel and Adobe Acrobat
Willingness to collaborate and strong interpersonal skills
Preferred Job Qualifications
Experience preparing scientific research proposals
Knowledge of Cost Accounting Standards and Uniform Guidance Requirements
Experience forecasting and managing project staffing and budgets
Knowledge of sponsored research processes
Experience in higher education research environment
Experience working in a collaborative, team-oriented setting
Ability to handle and prioritize multiple tasks
Diversity Statement
Ability to advance the department’s commitment to diversity and inclusion through research, teaching and outreach with relevant programs, goals and activities.
Essential Duties
Job Duty CategoryProject Management
Duty/Responsibility
Management of a diverse ATS research funding portfolio, including federal, state, local government, foreign government, private sector, and non-profit agency grant, contract, and cooperative agreement funding. Make day-to-day project expenditure decisions, based on a familiarity with project objectives and available funding, in consultation with project PI.
Implement approved models to forecast expenditures on existing projects and the likelihood of future funding via pending or planned research proposals. Identify gaps in future funding.
Perform liaison activities with the Office of Sponsored Programs, including coordination of proposal submission, coordination of subcontracts, assist with complex award negotiations, requests for no-cost extensions, and submission of project science reports.
Provide support for faculty groups to prepare and review staffing plans. Using funding forecasts, makerecommendationsto ATS faculty regarding needed changes in project staffing. Final staffing decisions are made by the project PI (research group).
Manage the award of graduate student fellowships and grants. Prepare and administer graduate student funding plans,).
Participate in professional meetings and/or other professional growth opportunities to promote improved job knowledge and performance.
Interpret and apply principles, rules, regulations, policies, precedence, or other guidelines specific to the assigned research project(s) and its sponsor to resolve problems, answer questions and provide information and advice on technical or administrative project issues. Coordination of these activities as appropriate with other department staff or units, including travel/purchasing, human resources and student advising.
Assist research groups in planning and executing field deployments and hosted workshops.
Percentage Of Time60%
Job Duty CategoryProposal Preparation
Duty/Responsibility
Coordinate the preparation of scientific research proposals to federal sponsors, including the National Science Foundation, NASA , the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Energy, the Department of Defense, and the National Park Service. Prepare proposals for state, local government, international government/agency, industry, CSU Foundation and other potential sponsors.
In collaboration with the PI: Confirm eligibility of funding programs, research submission and compliance requirements, and project cost share requirements. Prepare proposal budgets and budget justifications, ensuring adequate availability and support of needed scientific personnel and equipment. Solicit letters of support from 3rd parties interested in supporting proposed research objectives and coordinate budget and proposal submission across multi-institutional proposed projects. Research and recommend solutions for project cost share requirements.
In collaboration with PI: Provide support for initial project staffing and field deployment plans, occasionally including complex, coordinated international research deployments with other U.S. and foreign institutions.
Percentage Of Time40%
Application Details
Special Instructions to Applicants
CSU is committed to full inclusion of qualified individuals. If you are needing assistance or accommodations with the search process, please reach out to the listed search contact.
In addition to completing the online application, please include a cover letter, your resume, and the names and contact information for your references. References will not be contacted without prior notification to candidates. In your cover letter, please address the required and preferred job qualifications.
Conditions of EmploymentPre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires)
Search ContactAmanda Davey Amanda.Davey@colostate.edu
EEO Statement
Colorado State University is committed to providing an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based on race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or pregnancy in its employment, programs, services and activities, and admissions, and, in certain circumstances, marriage to a co-worker. The University will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. Colorado State University is an equal opportunity and equal access institution and affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all Federal and Colorado State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. TheOffice of Equal Opportunity (https://oeo.colostate.edu/) is located in 101 Student Services.
The Title IX Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Title IX Programs and Gender Equity, 123 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-1715,titleix@colostate.edu.
The Section 504 and ADA Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836,oeo@colostate.edu.
The Coordinator for any other forms of misconduct prohibited by the University’s Policy on Discrimination and Harassment is the Vice President for Equity, Equal Opportunity and Title IX, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, Co. 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836,oeo@colostate.edu.
Any person may report sex discrimination under Title IX to theOffice of Civil Rights, Department of Education (https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/howto.html) .
Background Check Policy Statement
Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.
References Requested
References Requested
Minimum Requested3
Maximum Requested3
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
Cover Letter
Resume
Optional Documents