Training Officer - Military Veterans

The Training Officer serves as one of two University of Minnesota central training staff responsible for development and delivery of training materials and classes for the research community. This position will be responsible for training research professionals within SPA and in the departments.

The incumbent will work closely with the SPA Operations Manager and the other SPA Training Officer to identify training needs within SPA and the departments and develop impactful training materials and classes related to the areas of need.

The incumbent also serves as a resource support person. Specific areas of responsibility include working with faculty, collegiate and departmental staff, and SPA staff in developing and delivering instructional programs to enhance research administration job performance, effectiveness and adherence to University, State and Federal regulations and requirements.

This position serves primarily as a training development and delivery professional , with an emphasis on training newly hired GCOs and departmental research administrators on new federal and state regulatory initiatives, federal agency regulations, policies and procedures, institutional best practices and existing research policy.

This position will report to the SPA Operations Manager. From time to time, the position will be expected to work directly with the Associate Director and/or Principal Contracting Officer on special initiatives related to high-value or highly complex trainings.

Position Duties and Responsibilities

Departmental Training Coordinator (50%)
Assess emerging federal requirements to understand their impact on the University research administration community. Keep current in the field and monitoring regulatory releases, including detailed analysis and review of ANPRMs (Advance Notice of Proposed Rule Making) and sponsor-pre-release and final release policy documents.
Serve as a trainer for the University's research community. Create and provide in-person and digital training to University faculty, staff, and graduate students in small group, large group, and customized settings.
Customize training materials to fit unique needs and interests of the intended audience, using the incumbent's detailed knowledge of research administration and experience.
Develop and keep current SPECTRUM/SPA training materials and documents.
Oversee requirements SPECTRUM certification program, recommending modifications as needed.
Oversee registration and completion of courses by SPECTRUM cohorts.
Administer SPECTRUM exams and grant certifications.
Communicate agency policies and initiatives to the University research enterprise via the Grants Management User Network and other forums.

GCO Training Coordinator (30%)
Serve as a GCO trainer (all aspects of the GCO job). Advise supervisors about the progress of individuals undergoing training.
Review GCO work products for staff in training.
Develop and keep current SPA business process documents for SPA staff.
Teach in future signature authority classes as assigned.

Special Initiatives (20%*)
Engage in one or more institutional committees or work duties as assigned, such as University's technical representative at Federal Demonstration Partnership meetings; University's representative to the NIH Commons Working Group; lead planning and/or teach for the Sponsored Projects Symposia or specialized SPA training course series.

*Percentages associated with specific areas of the job may vary depending on the needs of the office

The Research and Innovation Office (RIO) and Sponsored Projects Administration (SPA) endorses a âœwork with flexibilityâ approach that offers a welcoming and flexible work environment where everyone is inspired to do their best. Work location options include working fully remote, partially remote, or entirely in the office and are based on the work of the position. Some on-site work may be necessary for certain positions, even those designated as fully remote.

This position has been designated as eligible for flexible work profile(s) 1-4. Profile 1 is expected to work primarily on-site. Your office will be located in suite 450 of McNamara Alumni Center. Profile 2 is expected to work on-site more than 50% of the time. Your office will be located in suite 450 of McNamara Alumni Center. Profile 3 is expected to work remotely more than 50% of the time. Your dedicated office space will be in your remote work location. Profile 4 is expected to work fully remotely with the exception of required attendance for on-site events. Your dedicated work space will be in your remote work location. SPA management retains the right to modify flexible work arrangement agreements on a temporary or permanent basis for any reason at any time.

Required Qualifications

BA/BS degree plus at least six years of experience in research administration in a central or departmental role to include proposal/award/subaward preparation, review, and administration with multiple sponsor and subawardee types;
Demonstrated experience developing and delivering business process procedures and/or instructional materials.
Ability to work independently, designing new and creative solutions when needed, and to resolve most problems without assistance.
Excellent communication skills; ability to seamlessly adapt communication style and content to varying audiences (e.g., principal investigators and other researchers, and research administration staff)
Experience analyzing complex regulations, determining their impact in the university research setting, and developing training materials to communicate those regulations.
Demonstrated ability to work with significant multi-tasking
Experience using standard computer tools (e.g., MS Office suite, email, Zoom, calendaring)
Strong understanding of federal regulations in relation to funded research at the University of Minnesota.
Strong understanding of University of Minnesota research policies and procedures.

Preferred Qualifications

Master's degree or doctoral/advanced degree
Specialized training in Contract and Grant Administration
Experience using Canvas software
Mentoring experience