CASUAL MMRP Research Support Staff

University of Hawaii•Coconut Island - Kaneohe, HI

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Research Support Staff position provides administrative, financial, and operational support to the Marine Mammal Research Program at HIMB. The role assists the Principal Investigator with project-specific operations for designated federal awards, including budget tracking, progress reporting, procurement and disbursement processing, account closeout, compliance documentation, and project-related RCUH account administration. The employee monitors awards from inception through closeout, tracks financial and administrative status, and communicates issues or policy changes that could affect award activities. The position prepares and edits reports and other documents, maintains financial spreadsheets and records, reviews reconciliations with a fiscal officer, and conducts audits as needed. It supports research compliance documentation, recommends improvements to administrative workflows, and coordinates meetings, travel, accommodations, vessel hires, procurements, training, events, and field logistics in conjunction with Principal Investigators. The role also serves as a liaison among researchers, staff, private organizations, and state agencies, and trains project-funded personnel on award-specific lab and field safety and standard operating procedures. The position is a temporary casual-hire appointment, part-time, with hours not to exceed 19 per week and no benefits. Appointments depend on funding and departmental need.

Requirements

Baccalaureate degree in business administration, management, economics, or a related field, plus one year of progressively responsible professional experience in office or operations management, human resources, or business administration; or an equivalent combination of education and professional work experience.
Functional knowledge of accounting or business administration principles, practices, and techniques, including the ability to apply relevant concepts and terminology.
Functional knowledge and understanding of applicable federal and state laws, rules, regulations, theories, and systems associated with accounting and business administration.
Ability to recognize problems, identify possible causes, and resolve problems commonly encountered in business administration.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external organizations, groups, team leaders, team members, and individuals.
Ability to operate a personal computer and processing software and effectively use technology, including Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams.
Ability to adapt to changing work locations and environments.
Ability to understand and analyze oral and written documentation, write reports, letters, and procedures, and communicate effectively in varied situations.

Nice To Haves

Two years of professional-level experience in a university, healthcare, academic, research, or corporate office setting.
Functional knowledge of principles, practices, and techniques in higher education or business management, demonstrated by the ability to apply concepts and terminology.
Ability to travel independently to various locations in a timely and efficient manner.

Responsibilities

Provide staff support for the Marine Mammal Research Program and assist the Principal Investigator with financial and administrative operations for designated federal awards.
Track project budgets, compile progress reports, process procurements and disbursements, and prepare account closeout documentation in accordance with award terms.
Monitor designated awards from inception through closeout and advise the Principal Investigator about project status, anticipated administrative or financial issues, and relevant policy changes.
Prepare and edit reports, agendas, letters, and complex documents, including formatted quarterly reports; gather, interpret, and analyze information and report results to Principal Investigators.
Review monthly project expenditure reconciliations with a fiscal officer; maintain budget and expenditure records, develop financial spreadsheets, and perform audits and reconciliations as needed.
Monitor and maintain award-specific compliance requirements, including documentation for research permits, IACUC protocols, and federal award reporting guidelines.
Recommend administrative workflow updates to improve coordination and reporting procedures for funded grant deliverables.
Support project-specific RCUH accounts for designated federal awards by tracking documentation and vendor service agreements, generating service invoices, and preparing required agency reports.
Coordinate and plan meetings, conferences, training workshops, events, and field logistics with Principal Investigators, including travel, accommodations, vessel hires, and project-specific procurements.
Coordinate with and serve as a liaison among researchers, staff, projects, private organizations, and state agencies on project, fiscal, human resources, and administrative matters.
Train project-funded personnel on award-specific laboratory and field safety and standard operating procedures.
Comply with legal requirements and University policies.
Perform other duties as assigned.