RFA/Budget Unit Coordinator

Apply for Job Job ID 86278
Location UCSB Campus
Full/Part Time Full Time
Add to Favorite Jobs Email this Job
Job Posting Details (External)

Position Number: 41240786

Payroll Title: RSCH ADM 3 RP (005264)

Job Code: 005264

Job Open Date: 05/14/2026

Application Review Begins: 06/01/2026

Department Code (Name): MSII (MARINE SCIENCE INSTITUTE)

Percentage of Time: 100

Union Code (Name): RP-Research and Public Service Professionals

Employee Class (Appointment Type): Staff: Career

FLSA Status: Exempt

Classified Indicator Description (Personnel Program): PSS

Salary Grade: STEPS

Pay Rate/Range: The budgeted salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $71,600 to $90,936/year. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience; the budget for the position; and the application of fair, equitable, and consistent pay practices at the University. The full salary range for this position is $71,600 to $127,400/year.

Work Location: MARS 4407

Working Days and Hours : Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm

Benefits Eligibility: Full Benefits

Type of Remote or Hybrid Work Arrangement, if applicable: Hybrid (Both UC & Non-UC locations)

Special Instructions:

For full consideration, please include a resume and a cover letter as part of your application.

Department Marketing Statement:

The Marine Science Institute ranks internationally as a leader in marine and environmental research. Its researchers stand at the forefront of their fields, regularly redefining our current knowledge of marine science and policy. Over 300 research projects funded by more than 80 awarding agencies with a value over $100 million in extramural and intramural funding are administered by MSI each year. Research at MSI spans 14 disciplines supporting research projects involving faculty, professional researchers, technical staff, graduate and undergraduate students. MSI provides educational outreach activities through the REEF (Research Experience and Education Facility) with 20,000 visitors annually.

Benefits of Belonging

Working at UC means being part of this vibrant institution that shines a light on what is possible. People make UC great, and UC recognizes your contributions by making this a great place to work. Excellent retirement and health are just one of the rewards. Learn more about the benefits of working at UC

Brief Summary of Job Duties:

The Research Financial Analyst (RFA) provides comprehensive post-award financial management for an assigned portfolio of medium to high-volume, complex sponsored projects. This role supports UCSB's research mission through expert fiscal stewardship and effective coordination with faculty and central offices. Key responsibilities include general ledger reconciliation, transaction review and approval, budget monitoring and forecasting, cost transfers, and subaward and contract administration. The RFA ensures compliance with sponsor, federal, and university policies, maintains accurate records, and facilitates the timely closeout of awards. This position also serves as a resource for mentoring less experienced staff and collaborates regularly with campus partners such as Sponsored Projects Office (SPO), Extramural Funds Accounting (EMF), Payroll, Procurement, and Accounts Payable. Collaborates with MSI CAO on department-wide operational issues and contributes to management planning. Supervises and provides oversight of MSI Travel Unit.

Required Qualifications:

• Thorough knowledge of financial processes, policies and procedures.
• Thorough knowledge of financial data management and reporting systems.
• Strong proficiency in the use of spreadsheet and database software.
• Strong interpersonal skills, analytical skills, service oriented, active listening, critical thinking, attention to detail, ability to adapt to a changing and high volume environment, organizational skills, effective verbal and written communication skills, sound judgement and decision making, ability to develop original ideas to solve problems.
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of internal control practices and their impact on protecting University resources.
• Leadership skills to provide guidance, coaching and mentoring to professional and support staff.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in related area and/or equivalent experience.
• 1-3 years thorough knowledge of financial processes, policies and procedures.

Special Conditions of Employment:

• Satisfactory criminal history background check
• UCSB is a Tobacco-Free environment

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement:

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies governing employee conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, or discrimination, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

Job Functions and Percentages of Time:

• 80% Post-Award Research Financial Management - The Research Finance Analyst (RFA) plays a critical role in the post-award administration of sponsored research funding, ensuring compliance with federal regulations, sponsor terms, UC policies, and accounting standards while supporting faculty in the fiscal management of research portfolios. Independently manages the financial lifecycle of complex awards, including budget setup, fund allocation, expenditure monitoring, and award reconciliation and closeout. Confirms that spending aligns with approved budgets and funding periods, baselines project budgets prior to expenditures, and ensures all project roles and configurations are accurately maintained in UCSB's financial systems. Coordinates the setup of sponsored awards by verifying project configurations, chart fields, and award attributes for alignment with sponsor agreements. Manages Requests for Advance Spending (RAS) when funding is anticipated but not yet finalized. Ensures baseline budgets are established prior to the commencement of spending and that funding allocations are properly distributed across projects, including fabrication and cost-sharing components. Reviews financial transactions in boundary systems (Gateway, Concur, Transfer of Expense (TOE), Flexcard, UCPath)) for allowability, allocability, and availability of funds. Verifies General Ledger and project expenditures to ensure that they are allowable and reported accurately and timely, including monitoring pending transactions and resolving errors as necessary. Initiates compliant cost transfers as needed. Ensures salary cost transfers align with certified effort reporting and monitors for necessary recertifications. Oversees accurate tracking and fulfillment of cost-sharing obligations, including both payroll and non-payroll components. Prepares financial reports for Principal Investigators, including burn rate analysis, spending projections, and supports scenario modeling and spend planning. Maintains detailed documentation to support audit readiness. Monitors subrecipient invoicing to ensure compliance with sponsor terms, federal regulations, and UC policy by reviewing each invoice against the subaward agreement, budget, and period of performance to verify that expenditures are allowable, reasonable, and within the approved budget, and flags any discrepancies or unallowable charges for resolution. Confirms that cumulative billing does not exceed authorized funding and ensures timely PI review and approval. For final invoices, coordinates with the Sponsored Projects Office (SPO) to complete additional reviews, initiates subaward closeout procedures, and ensures commitments are released in UCSB's financial systems. Initiates award closeout procedures by monitoring end dates and ensuring timely action. Verifies the allowability of expenditures, reconciles payroll and non-payroll charges, and confirms submission of final invoices. Coordinates with central offices to finalize sponsor invoicing, prepares or supports required financial reporting, closes out commitments and subawards, and submits all necessary documentation in compliance with university and agency requirements. Provides guidance and training to departmental staff and junior RFAs on current research administration policies and procedures. Requires access to sensitive business and confidential information, and requires obtaining and maintaining campus delegation for the role. Requires strong financial acumen, meticulous attention to detail, and proactive communication to ensure sound financial stewardship in support of UCSB's research enterprise.
• 20% Budget Unit Coordinator - In coordination with the Chief Accounting Officer (CAO), manages workflow and quality of performance of unit's RFAs. Works closely with the CAO in the hiring of staff, establishment of training, productivity, and development goals, and contributes to the evaluation of performance of team members. Supervises MSI's Travel Unit Coordinator offering guidance and support in resolving issues. Acts as backup to the Travel Unit Coordinator. Serves as back up to CAO and has signature authority on all accounts. Provides RFAs with leadership and mentoring in all aspects of responsibilities including allowability and allocability of all expenditures.

UC Vaccination Programs Policy:

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccinations Programs.

As a condition of Physical Presence at a Location or in a University Program, all Covered Individuals* must participate in any applicable Vaccination Program by providing proof that they are Up-to-Date with any required Vaccines or submitting a request for Exception in a Mandate Program or properly declining vaccination in an Opt-Out Program no later than the Compliance Date (Capitalized terms in this paragraph are defined in the policy.). Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

For more information, please visit University of California Policy on Vaccinations -

*Covered Individuals: A Covered Individual includes anyone designated as Personnel or Students under this Policy who physically access a University Facility or Program in connection with their employment, appointment, or education/training. A person accessing a Healthcare Location as a patient, or an art, athletics, entertainment, or other publicly accessible venue at a Location as a member of the public, is not a Covered Individual.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

Reasonable Accommodations:

The University of California endeavors to make accessible to any and all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact Katherine Abad in Human Resources at View phone number on click.appcast.io or email View email address on click.appcast.io. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.

Privacy Notification Statement

Privacy Notification Statement and Notice of Availability of the UCSB Annual Security and Fire Safety Report Disclosures

Application Status: If you would like to check the status of your application, please log into the Candidate Gateway where you applied and click on 'my activities'.