Budget and Finance Specialist I - Ames National Laboratory

About the position

Would you like to work for a National Laboratory that conducts world-renowned research? Would you enjoy working on a diverse, beautiful, university campus? Can you imagine yourself in a mid-sized location that regularly ranks as one of the U.S. Best Places to Live? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you should consider a career with Ames National Laboratory! Ames Laboratory is a U.S. Department of Energy federally contracted National Laboratory located in Ames, Iowa, on the campus of Iowa State University. We are dedicated to translating foundational science through applied research to create technological innovations. We create materials, inspire minds to solve problems, and address some of the most challenging issues facing our world today. We promote and believe in a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, civility, and shared ownership in support of the Laboratory's collective success. Ames Laboratory is seeking a Budget and Finance Specialist I, within the Division of Critical Materials (DCM). The responsibilities of the position include budget development, budget monitoring, coordinating personnel actions for assigned projects, and assisting with proposal coordination. The incumbent will be directly responsible for financial oversight of research projects, including personnel actions; project subcontract oversight; establishing and monitoring budgets and expenses; providing monthly financial reports to project lead; and collecting data to ensure compliance with a variety of funding agencies requirements. This position will work with the project lead to resolve any financial issues or questions that may arise. Personnel actions includes appointment processes for faculty, postdocs, students - both graduate and undergraduate, P&S staff, and visiting scientists (including foreign visitors). Subcontract oversight includes creation of purchase requisition, follow-up with procurement to ensure fully executed agreement is in place, working with subcontract entity to ensure reporting data is collected, and resolves any issues that may arise. Financial reporting will require working with the project lead and revise the reporting template to meet the needs of the project lead. This position will also work with proposal submission, by working closely the proposal lead to develop a budget, fill out required financial forms, and may create/assist with the preparation of other proposal forms as needed to ensure timelines are met. This position will also serve as a backup role for the submission of proposals to federal and non-federal agencies. This position will work closely with DCM Finance Manager and will assist with other financial/proposal duties as necessary. The successful candidate will possess excellent written and oral communication skills as well as the ability to work effectively and professionally with a diverse constituency of faculty, staff, students, and external sponsoring agencies. The ability to gather, analyze, and assemble data and prepare reports according to required format, and the ability to multi-task and meet deadlines is critical for success in this position. This position will require an onsite presence and is not a fully remote position. There may be a possibility for a hybrid work arrangement, as business needs allow.

Responsibilities

• Budget development and monitoring
• Coordinating personnel actions for assigned projects
• Assisting with proposal coordination
• Financial oversight of research projects
• Project subcontract oversight
• Establishing and monitoring budgets and expenses
• Providing monthly financial reports to project lead
• Collecting data to ensure compliance with funding agencies requirements
• Resolving financial issues or questions with project lead
• Creating purchase requisitions and following up with procurement
• Ensuring reporting data is collected from subcontract entities
• Revising financial reporting templates as needed
• Developing budgets for proposal submissions
• Filling out required financial forms for proposals
• Assisting with preparation of other proposal forms
• Serving as backup for proposal submissions to agencies

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree

Nice-to-haves

• Degree in Accounting
• Master of Business Administration or Master of Public Administration
• Prior DOE financial management experience
• Experience analyzing financial data and developing financial reports
• Experience developing and overseeing grant proposal budgets
• Experience developing and using spreadsheets for financial management applications
• Experience developing and using pivot tables, power pivot tables, pivot charts for specialized reporting

Benefits

• Comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental
• Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
• Generous vacation, holiday and sick time and leave plans
• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)
• Life insurance and long-term disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Various voluntary benefits and discounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellbeing program
• WorkFlex options for some positions