UCAR University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
BSS-SPS Budget Analyst II
UCAR University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, Colorado, United States, 80301
Budget Analyst II
UCAR's Business Services Section (BSS) is seeking a skilled and motivated Budget Analyst II to join our team within the Scientific Program Support (SPS) Center's Cooperative Programs for the Advancement of Earth System Science (CPAESS) Business Office. In this critical role, you'll lead advanced-level financial analysis and award lifecycle management for a dynamic portfolio of awards, with an emphasis on contracting vehicles and task orders. You'll play a key role in: Developing and managing complex budgets, forecasts, and cost analyses Primarily supporting contracts and task orders Providing backup support for cooperative agreements and grants Preparing internal and external financial reports Ensuring award compliance with UCAR policies, federal regulations (including OMB Uniform Guidance), and sponsor requirements Serving as a trusted resource on task order oversight and financial best practices You'll collaborate closely with BSS colleagues, CPAESS leadership, and UCAR operations teams to drive excellence in financial stewardship and compliance. As a valued advisor to program staff, you'll also contribute to proposal development and business operations strategy. We're looking for candidates who bring strong analytical skills, a deep understanding of federal funding mechanisms, and a commitment to process improvement and team collaboration. CPAESS serves the Earth System Science community in three distinct areas of service. We partner with federal agencies and businesses to hire critical scientific staff enabling a more robust workforce. Through our scientific programs we seek to edify new research with our postdoctoral programs, our visiting scientist and internship programs, along with our interagency support programs. We also help build the Earth system science community by convening and managing summer schools and institutes, conferences, and advisory committees. Position details: Visa Sponsored Job: No Relocation Assistance Eligible: No Job Location: Boulder, Colorado Position Type & Term: Full time, Regular Compensation Range: $75,989 - $94,989 Application Notes: Application Deadline: This position will be posted until 11:59:59pm MT on Wednesday, August 13. Applications will not be accepted past this date. Required application materials (preferably in PDF Format): Resume Cover Letter - Our hiring team wants to learn more about your skills/experiences regarding specific critical skills needed to be successful in this position. Your cover letter will be read and weighed equally to your resume, so please ensure you're providing detailed, yet informative, responses based on your previous work experiences. Please ensure your cover letter includes the following: Your experience with budget development and financial analysis in the context of federally funded projects. Specific examples of how you've supported or led work involving contract or task order funding mechanisms, including both pre-award activities (such as proposal development, budgeting, or compliance review) and post-award responsibilities (such as financial reporting, monitoring, or reconciliation). If applicable, highlight how you've navigated sponsor requirements, federal regulations (e.g., OMB Uniform Guidance), and internal policies in your financial or contract-related work. Background checks are conducted for candidates selected for hire. Work Location: This position is open to candidates seeking in-person and hybrid (combination of 3 days/week in-person and 2 days/week remote) opportunities. Regardless of flexible work arrangements, UCAR requires ALL positions to be performed within the U.S., excluding U.S. Territories. What You Will Do: Award & Financial Administration Manage the full lifecycle of assigned awardsprimarily contractswith additional support provided for cooperative agreements and grants. Coordinate administrative actions related to award management, including data entry and maintenance in UCAR business systems and CPAESS file structures. Forecast, monitor, and reconcile awards; track and project expenses and staff allocations across portfolios. Identify and resolve discrepancies through journal entries and budget transfers. Conduct regular (monthly) and ad hoc financial reviews to ensure compliance with UCAR policies, sponsor requirements, OMB Uniform Guidance, and federal cost principles. Prepare recurring and ad hoc financial reports for both internal leadership and external sponsors. Track and coordinate programmatic reporting requirements in collaboration with the CPAESS communications team and Principal Investigators (PIs). Serve as a financial subject matter expert for federal stakeholders, advising on allowability, compliance, and projections. Proposal Development & Submission Serve as lead proposal administrator for assigned submissions, partnering with PIs to establish timelines and define roles. Lead the development of proposal budgets and narratives, coordinating with the SPS-BSS team and ensuring compliance with sponsor requirements. Enter proposal data into UCAR systems and sponsor platforms, and collaborate with the UCP Proposal Office and UCAR Contracts when needed. Data Analytics & Reporting Develop and deliver financial and programmatic reporting for monthly, quarterly, and year-end review, highlighting trends and metrics across award portfolios. Maintain accurate and consistent data sets; contribute to the design and improvement of data tracking and analysis systems. Use data to identify financial risks or opportunities and develop actionable, evidence-based recommendations. Operational Strategy & Process Improvement Co-create and refine business processes with a focus on continuous improvement, efficiency, and user-centered service, in collaboration with BSS team members and leadership. Develop and maintain desk procedures and documentation to support consistency and knowledge sharing. Contribute to the creation and refinement of standardized best practices across BSS. Participate in BSS meetings, trainings, and working groups; represent BSS or CPAESS on committees shaping organizational policies. Analyze new policies for potential impact on the CPAESS business model and make recommendations accordingly. Support special projects as assigned and promote a respectful, inclusive, and collaborative workplace culture. Who We'd Love To Join Our Team: Education & Experience: Bachelor's degree in a relevant academic discipline; 5 years of related experience; Or an equivalent combination of education and experience that qualifies the individual to perform the duties as described (e.g. a Master's degree in a relevant academic discipline and 3 years of related experience, etc.). Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Advanced knowledge and skill in managing the full lifecycle of federal awards, with a particular emphasis on task orders, contracts, and related compliance requirements. Expertise in budget development, financial analysis, cost control, and proposal preparation, including the use of federal and UCAR proposal platforms and management systems. Proficient in applying government regulations and policies, including OMB Uniform Guidance, UCAR policies, and sponsor-specific requirements, across various award types (contracts, grants, cooperative agreements). Strong analytical and technical skills, including the use of spreadsheet applications and financial tools to develop, interpret, and present financial reports and statistics. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to convey complex financial and policy information clearly to diverse audiences and to handle sensitive information with discretion. Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively, contributing to team objectives while managing responsibilities with minimal supervision. Proactive problem-solving and critical thinking skills, including the ability to identify appropriate data sources, anticipate organizational challenges, and recommend effective solutions. Desired, but not required: Experience working with NOAA Contractual vehicles. Benefits Overview: Tuition Assistance, time off allowance to attend classes, and other professional development opportunities UCAR contributes 10% of your eligible pay into your retirement account; 100% fully vested on day one
UCAR's Business Services Section (BSS) is seeking a skilled and motivated Budget Analyst II to join our team within the Scientific Program Support (SPS) Center's Cooperative Programs for the Advancement of Earth System Science (CPAESS) Business Office. In this critical role, you'll lead advanced-level financial analysis and award lifecycle management for a dynamic portfolio of awards, with an emphasis on contracting vehicles and task orders. You'll play a key role in: Developing and managing complex budgets, forecasts, and cost analyses Primarily supporting contracts and task orders Providing backup support for cooperative agreements and grants Preparing internal and external financial reports Ensuring award compliance with UCAR policies, federal regulations (including OMB Uniform Guidance), and sponsor requirements Serving as a trusted resource on task order oversight and financial best practices You'll collaborate closely with BSS colleagues, CPAESS leadership, and UCAR operations teams to drive excellence in financial stewardship and compliance. As a valued advisor to program staff, you'll also contribute to proposal development and business operations strategy. We're looking for candidates who bring strong analytical skills, a deep understanding of federal funding mechanisms, and a commitment to process improvement and team collaboration. CPAESS serves the Earth System Science community in three distinct areas of service. We partner with federal agencies and businesses to hire critical scientific staff enabling a more robust workforce. Through our scientific programs we seek to edify new research with our postdoctoral programs, our visiting scientist and internship programs, along with our interagency support programs. We also help build the Earth system science community by convening and managing summer schools and institutes, conferences, and advisory committees. Position details: Visa Sponsored Job: No Relocation Assistance Eligible: No Job Location: Boulder, Colorado Position Type & Term: Full time, Regular Compensation Range: $75,989 - $94,989 Application Notes: Application Deadline: This position will be posted until 11:59:59pm MT on Wednesday, August 13. Applications will not be accepted past this date. Required application materials (preferably in PDF Format): Resume Cover Letter - Our hiring team wants to learn more about your skills/experiences regarding specific critical skills needed to be successful in this position. Your cover letter will be read and weighed equally to your resume, so please ensure you're providing detailed, yet informative, responses based on your previous work experiences. Please ensure your cover letter includes the following: Your experience with budget development and financial analysis in the context of federally funded projects. Specific examples of how you've supported or led work involving contract or task order funding mechanisms, including both pre-award activities (such as proposal development, budgeting, or compliance review) and post-award responsibilities (such as financial reporting, monitoring, or reconciliation). If applicable, highlight how you've navigated sponsor requirements, federal regulations (e.g., OMB Uniform Guidance), and internal policies in your financial or contract-related work. Background checks are conducted for candidates selected for hire. Work Location: This position is open to candidates seeking in-person and hybrid (combination of 3 days/week in-person and 2 days/week remote) opportunities. Regardless of flexible work arrangements, UCAR requires ALL positions to be performed within the U.S., excluding U.S. Territories. What You Will Do: Award & Financial Administration Manage the full lifecycle of assigned awardsprimarily contractswith additional support provided for cooperative agreements and grants. Coordinate administrative actions related to award management, including data entry and maintenance in UCAR business systems and CPAESS file structures. Forecast, monitor, and reconcile awards; track and project expenses and staff allocations across portfolios. Identify and resolve discrepancies through journal entries and budget transfers. Conduct regular (monthly) and ad hoc financial reviews to ensure compliance with UCAR policies, sponsor requirements, OMB Uniform Guidance, and federal cost principles. Prepare recurring and ad hoc financial reports for both internal leadership and external sponsors. Track and coordinate programmatic reporting requirements in collaboration with the CPAESS communications team and Principal Investigators (PIs). Serve as a financial subject matter expert for federal stakeholders, advising on allowability, compliance, and projections. Proposal Development & Submission Serve as lead proposal administrator for assigned submissions, partnering with PIs to establish timelines and define roles. Lead the development of proposal budgets and narratives, coordinating with the SPS-BSS team and ensuring compliance with sponsor requirements. Enter proposal data into UCAR systems and sponsor platforms, and collaborate with the UCP Proposal Office and UCAR Contracts when needed. Data Analytics & Reporting Develop and deliver financial and programmatic reporting for monthly, quarterly, and year-end review, highlighting trends and metrics across award portfolios. Maintain accurate and consistent data sets; contribute to the design and improvement of data tracking and analysis systems. Use data to identify financial risks or opportunities and develop actionable, evidence-based recommendations. Operational Strategy & Process Improvement Co-create and refine business processes with a focus on continuous improvement, efficiency, and user-centered service, in collaboration with BSS team members and leadership. Develop and maintain desk procedures and documentation to support consistency and knowledge sharing. Contribute to the creation and refinement of standardized best practices across BSS. Participate in BSS meetings, trainings, and working groups; represent BSS or CPAESS on committees shaping organizational policies. Analyze new policies for potential impact on the CPAESS business model and make recommendations accordingly. Support special projects as assigned and promote a respectful, inclusive, and collaborative workplace culture. Who We'd Love To Join Our Team: Education & Experience: Bachelor's degree in a relevant academic discipline; 5 years of related experience; Or an equivalent combination of education and experience that qualifies the individual to perform the duties as described (e.g. a Master's degree in a relevant academic discipline and 3 years of related experience, etc.). Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Advanced knowledge and skill in managing the full lifecycle of federal awards, with a particular emphasis on task orders, contracts, and related compliance requirements. Expertise in budget development, financial analysis, cost control, and proposal preparation, including the use of federal and UCAR proposal platforms and management systems. Proficient in applying government regulations and policies, including OMB Uniform Guidance, UCAR policies, and sponsor-specific requirements, across various award types (contracts, grants, cooperative agreements). Strong analytical and technical skills, including the use of spreadsheet applications and financial tools to develop, interpret, and present financial reports and statistics. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to convey complex financial and policy information clearly to diverse audiences and to handle sensitive information with discretion. Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively, contributing to team objectives while managing responsibilities with minimal supervision. Proactive problem-solving and critical thinking skills, including the ability to identify appropriate data sources, anticipate organizational challenges, and recommend effective solutions. Desired, but not required: Experience working with NOAA Contractual vehicles. Benefits Overview: Tuition Assistance, time off allowance to attend classes, and other professional development opportunities UCAR contributes 10% of your eligible pay into your retirement account; 100% fully vested on day one