Assistant To The Director - St. Anthony Falls Laboratory

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree and at least six years of progressively responsible professional administrative experience.
• Supervisory experience managing a professional staff.
• Strong team leadership and organizational skills.
• Ability to perform at high level of discretion, integrity and confidentiality.
• Ability to work productively and collaboratively with departmental constituents and other units.
• Ability to work independently, problem-solve and multi-task.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience in proposal preparation for funding agencies.
• Experience in budget preparation and financial planning.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working within an academic/research unit, preferably related to science or engineering.
• Certified Approver.
• Experience working with broad range of stakeholders at all levels of the University.
• Knowledge of relevant University policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of University of Minnesota systems such as PeopleSoft, Enterprise Financial System and Human Resources Management System, Sponsored Projects Administration, Donor Management System, etc.

Duties/Responsibilities

Operational Management and Supervision (35%)

• Supervise support staff that consists of two full time employees and 1-2 part time student workers.
• Anticipate, plan and manage daily administrative support operations of unit; including, but not limited to, internal communications, facilities and staffing.
• Foster a positive professional working environment.
• Assign work duties/special projects and track project status to ensure timely and efficient completion.
• Advise director on staffing needs and necessary personnel actions.
• Consult regularly with college leaders, faculty, staff, and students to implement, interpret and develop policies, procedures and practices for the unit.
• Provide backup support to administrative staff positions, as needed.
• Assign space/desks, manage space and keys.
• Serve as Department Facility Representative (DFR).

Financial Management (40%)

• Plan and develop annual operating budgets in consultation with director and administrative team.
• Implement and manage annual budgets.
• Provide grant support to laboratory faculty and researchers, including proposal budget preparation, submission and award management for sponsored and non-sponsored projects.
• Work with department accounting team to monitor sponsored and non-sponsored accounts balances and departmental expenditures during the fiscal year.
• Serve as department's Certified Approver and backup department approver.
• Manage all external sales contracts to include initiating contract, coordinating billings and monitoring expenditures.
• Manage annual student fellowship awards to include solicitation of nominations, processing of awards and assisting with award ceremonies/seminars.

Assist the Director (10%)

• Advise on future priorities for the unit.
• Participate in the unit strategic planning process.
• Participate in bi-weekly administrative team meetings.
• Serve as liaison to other departments, the college, and other University units to assist in fulfilling the mission of the department.

Human Resources Management (15%)

• Manage hiring processes, including recruiting, advertising, and interviewing new personnel.
• Serve as primary local resource for human resource issues, advise on policy.
• Oversee the coordination of professional development and other leaves, annual performance review processes.
• Prepare employee offer letters and invitations to visiting scholars/researchers.
• Process/assist with visa applications.

This position is located in the St. Anthony Falls Laboratory (SAFL), an interdisciplinary fluid mechanics research center of the College of Science and Engineering. SAFL research is focused on fundamental fluid dynamics and the intersection of fluid mechanics with major societal challenges in energy, environment and health. The lab integrates cutting-edge experimental work at laboratory and field scales with advanced computational tools and theory to obtain innovative, science-based solutions to fluid-flow challenges.

Research is led at SAFL by 17 full-time faculty members with appointments in Departments of Civil, Environmental, and Geo-Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Earth & Environmental Sciences, and Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics in the College of Science and Engineering, as well as in the Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior in the College of Biological Sciences. SAFL personnel includes research and support staff members, postdoctoral associates, graduate students, as well as visiting researchers and undergraduate interns conducting research at SAFL.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-UOHR (8647).

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu.

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

Please note: All employees at the University of Minnesota are required to comply with the University’s Administrative Policy: COVID-19 Vaccination and Safety
Protocol by either providing proof of being fully vaccinated on their first day of employment, or complete a request for an exemption for medical exemption or religious reasons. To learn more please visit: https://safe-campus.umn.edu/return-campus/get-the-vax

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

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