Research Projects Coordinator

Illinois Center for Transportation

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

The Grainger College of Engineering

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Position is located in Rantoul, IL

**EXTENDED**

The Illinois Center for Transportation (ICT) within the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at The Grainger College of Engineering seeks applicants for the position of Research Projects Coordinator. This individual will be responsible for the administrative coordination and management of ICT research projects in the Intergovernmental Grant Agreement (IGA) with the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT).

ICT is located on Rantoul’s former Chanute Air Force Base and the future site of the 400+ acre Illinois Autonomous and Connected Track (I-ACT). I-ACT is a key component of ICT’s ongoing expansion under the Smart Transportation Infrastructure Initiative (STII): leading the rapidly growing field of smart mobility. To learn more, please visit us online at ict.illinois.edu.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

Project Management

·         Supports principal investigators (PIs) in preparing and reviewing research project statements of work and research ideas to ensure compliance with research objectives, sponsor guidelines, and regulations as well as University policies.

·         Coordinates and actively participates in technical meetings, prepares technical research discussion summaries, and communicates meeting objectives and outcomes to PIs, Technical Review Panels (TRPs), and the ICT/IDOT Executive Committee. Travel as needed, mostly during business hours.

·         Uses and maintains project management software and databases to track and analyze project tasks, performance metrics, and accomplishments over time. Ensures project documents, records, data, and archives are maintained and organized.

·         Provides guidance and assists in IDOT research need development, supports IDOT Technical Advisory Groups (TAGs) with project and RFP development and identification of principal investigators.

·         Acts as a liaison between IDOT TAGs and TRPs and monitors and coordinates activities of assigned projects.

·         Develops and communicates project performance reports and acts as a resource for organizational tasks relative to research projects.

·         Maintains ICT guidelines and procedures to ensure that ICT fulfills all the requirements of the ICT grant agreement and exceeds its annual objectives.

·         Assumes additional appropriate related research project duties to further the mission of ICT and the department.

Financial and Grant Management

·         Reviews and develops research project budgets, audits, and approves sub-award invoices for allowability and compliance, and assists with other financial activity.

·         Assists with equipment approval and tracking under the IDOT/ICT IGA.

·         Assists with preparing tables, charts, and progress reports for the quarterly ICT newsletter, the annual report, ICT Executive Committee meetings and other presentations.

·         Handles a variety of sensitive and confidential assignments and projects.

Minimum Qualifications:

·         Bachelor's degree in business administration, accounting, or a field related to the position

·         One year of project management experience

Preferred Qualifications:

·         Two years of experience in research administration in either a university or government environment, ideally at the University of Illinois or Illinois Department of Transportation

·         Experience with a transportation research program

·         Illinois Certified Research Administrator certification

Successful Candidates will have:

·         Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as a part of a team in a fast-paced, multi-faceted work environment

·         Exercise judgement to analyze and investigate a variety of questions or issues with minimal supervision

·         Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills

·         Flexibility to adapt to sudden changes in tasks

·         Proficiency in Microsoft Office products, including Word, Outlook, and Excel

·         Ability to successfully perform multiple duties simultaneously with tight deadlines

·         Basic technical business writing skills

Salary and Appointment Information

This is a full-time, benefits-eligible Civil Service Program Coordinator position appointed on a 12-month service basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the closing date. Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications. This position is in Rantoul, IL. The incumbent will be expected to work onsite on a full-time basis. Work authorization is not available for this position.

Application Procedures and Deadline Information

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (CST) on November 27, 2023. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. Please upload your cover letter, resume, and names/contact information for three references. In order to be considered as a transfer candidate, you must apply for this position. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. If required by the position, transcripts or other documentation of credentials are to be provided no later than the first day of employment. For further information about this specific position, please contact Stacie Mertes at smertes@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.