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Research Associate/Project Manager

Job Description


Title:

305-YN - Research Associate

Business Title:

Research Associate/Project Manager

Additional Titles:

Location:

MOUNT VERNON NORTHWEST RESEARCH AND EXTENSION CENTER

Employee Type:

Faculty (+) (Fixed Term)

Job Family:

Faculty - Academic - OT Eligible


Position Details:


Summary of Duties:

The Research Associate/Project Manager will assist the project director and co-project director, Drs. Lisa DeVetter and Markus Flury, respectively, with management of a 4-year long project funded through the USDA NIFA SCRI program. The focus of the project is improving end-of-life outcomes of plastic mulch film in diverse strawberry systems through exploration of new mulch and recycling technologies and understanding their impacts on economic strawberry production, soil and environmental health, and sociocultural outcomes. The project team includes 23 people (plus graduate students and postdoctoral researchers) from 10 institutions from states including Washington, California, Florida, Tennessee, and Nebraska.

The Project Manager will assist in activities including providing support with managing project logistics, reporting, communication, outreach, organization, and budget oversight. Additionally, the Project Manager will be responsible for coordinating monthly meetings with the PD and co-PIs, quarterly for the entire project team, and annually for the whole team and Advisory Board. Other duties include: providing data management assistance in accordance with the USDA NIFA requirements for project team members; compiling and drafting annual progress reports to USDA NIFA and the Advisory Board (with assistance from an Advisory Board lead); serving as scientific and administrative liaison for the Advisory Board; monitoring project expenditures and cost-share budgets; communicating with the Evaluation Specialist; and working with the Communication Specialist on development of outreach deliverables (e.g., webinars, website updates, etc.) in collaboration with the Outreach Team. Remote work is optional.

Administrative Organization and Logistics | 30%

  • Manage and direct all administrative functions for the 4-year USDA NIFA SCRI project and serve as the point of contact and liaison for other university offices, colleges, and other agencies involved in subcontracts with Washington State University.

  • Coordinate and facilitate monthly meetings with the PD and co-PIs, quarterly for the entire project team, and annually for the whole team and Advisory Board. Meeting coordination and assistance outside of these times may also be required.

  • Develop meeting agendas, organize meetings and events, prepare documents for meetings (including background materials), and assist in scheduling travel arrangements for annual project meetings with team members and the Advisory Board.

  • Provide administrative support for all grant project faculty, staff, and administrators.

  • Assemble project plans and assignments in collaboration with the PD, co-PD, and others team members to monitor work efforts, identify resource needs, assess work quality, and help troubleshoot issues as needed.

  • Develop and help the PD and co-PD implement and track timelines and workflows for project outputs. Support the PD and co-PID to ensure project outcomes are produced on-time, within scope, and within our budget.

  • Assist Washington State University team members with relevant logistics to ensure compliance with institutional and regulator aspects of the project.

Reporting and Communication | 30%

  • Compile, organize, and review reports from project team members for timely preparation and submission of USDA NIFA progress and final reports.

  • Support the Advisory Board lead in preparation of annual reports summarizing feedback for the project team.

  • Assist with manuscript, presentation, and outreach material preparation with team members and the Outreach team.

  • Engage and serve as a liaison with the Advisory Board.

  • Manage, support implementation, and help curate data in accordance with the Data Management Plan and USDA NIFA requirements.

  • Work with the PD and co-PD to establish management processes and methods to ensure outputs are delivered on time, within budget, and of high quality.

Budget Management | 30%

  • Mange subcontracts in coordination with Washington State University grant support staff.

  • Provide support to subcontracting institutions and NIFA administrators.

  • Meet with the PD and co-PID to create and update grant expenditure plans to finalize funding, prevent deficits, and ensure funds are spent in accordance with NIFA rules.

  • Review personnel funding documents encumbering grant funding and verify appointments are allowable per the proposal and expenditure plan.

  • Create and maintain a system for monitoring sponsored projects for receivables, overdrafts, revenue, effort certifications, cost share, and financial reporting.

  • Review overdrafts, revenue, and cash advance guarantees. Make corrections as needed.

  • Maintain and modify record keeping systems for budget transactions, cost share tracking, and allocations.

  • Notify appropriate individuals of any projected or actual over or under expenditures.

  • Manage and update ad hoc reports; ensure timely reporting according for compliance with the project and NIFA timeline.

  • Maintain, monitor, and reconcile grant budget statements; resolve discrepancies as needed.

  • Ensure compliance with NIFA, Washington State University, and subcontracting institutional grant requirements.

  • Prepare fiscal reports for the PD, co-PD, and co-PIs at Washington State University and in collaboration with the grant support staff.

  • Provide the PD and co-PIs with quarterly financial reports.

Troubleshooting, Liaising and Mediating | 5%

  • Identify potential obstacles and proactively work with the PD on strategies to overcome them.

  • Resolve issues in a timely manner.

  • Ensure project progress and recommend appropriate revisions as needed to address project goals.

Other | 5%

  • Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

  • An MS degree in a relevant field of study or equivalent related experiences performing professional-level work. Any combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis.

  • Needs to have scientific and project management skills.

  • An understanding of research protocols and the scientific method is required.

  • Demonstrated excellence in organization, project management, and communication is also required.

  • Needs to have attention to detail and be able to multi-task.

  • Experience in federal grant reporting.

  • Be committed to the core values of excellence, diversity, research integrity, global involvement, and accountability.

  • Have knowledge of relevant software for effective project management.

  • Have experience in developing and tracking budgets.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience with procurement and management of extramural funding.

  • Agricultural research experience.

  • Extension and outreach experience.

  • Organization, management, basic accounting, strong written and verbal communication skills, and understanding of scientific and agricultural research.

  • Experience working with a diversity of people.

  • Experience in motivating effective team work that are aligned with project objectives. 

  • Postdoctoral experience.


Additional Information:


COVID-19 Vaccine Information:

In accordance with Washington State Governor's Proclamation 21.14.2, as a condition of employment, you must be fully vaccinated or have an approved medical/religious accommodation by time of hire. People are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving their last shot in a vaccine series. Full vaccination status or an approved accommodation will be verified prior to your first day of work. Should you not be fully vaccinated or have an approved medical/religious accommodation you will not be able to start employment with WSU. Information regarding vaccine verification and/or requesting a medical/religious accommodation is available at https://hrs.wsu.edu/covid-19/vax-verification/. Please contact HRS at hrs@wsu.edu or 509-335-4521 if you have questions.

Area/College:

College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS)
 

Department Name:

Horticulture

City, State, Zip:
Mount Vernon, WA, 98273

Department Link:

smallfruits.wsu.edu

Monthly Salary:

$5,000 | Commensurate upon qualifications and experiences.
 

FTE:
100%
 

Position Type:
Temporary

Temporary End Date:

This is a 9-month position with the option to renew for an additional year.

Renewal is dependent on the need for extension and/or if additional funding is secured to extend.

Posting Close Date:

Applicants must submit their completed application by November 09, 2022 at 11:59 p.m.
 

Background Check:

This position has been designated by the department to require a background check.
 

Application Instructions:

Applicants must attach the following documents to their online application: 1) resume and 2) cover letter.

Applicants are required to include contact information for professional references within the application. Application materials should clearly communicate how the applicant meets all required qualifications and additional requirements.

Required Documents:

1)Resume

2)Cover Letter


Time Type:


Full time


Position Term:


12 Month

WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EDUCATOR AND EMPLOYER. Members of ethnic minorities, women, special disabled veterans, veterans of the Vietnam-era, recently separated veterans, and other protected veteran, persons of disability and/or persons age 40 and over are encouraged to apply.

WSU employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

WSU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resource Services: 509-335-4521 (v), Washington State TDD Relay Service: Voice Callers: 1-800-833-6384; TDD Callers: 1-800-833-6388, 509-335-1259(f), or hrs@wsu.edu .


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