Research Compliance Officer

The University of West Florida Office of Research Administration and Engagement (formerly Research and Sponsored Programs) is hiring a full-time Research Compliance Officer (105460). This senior-level position presents an opportunity to support and advance the university's research enterprise by ensuring a successful compliance program. Employing strong leadership, strategic, and interpersonal skills, the Research Compliance Officer (RCO) will oversee the following programs: Institutional Review Board for the Protection of Human Subjects (IRB), Export Controls, Conflict of Interest (including financial conflict of interest), Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), Responsible Conduct in Research (RCR), as well as Data Use Agreements (DUA), Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs), and Clinical Trial Agreements (CTAs). Additionally, this role acts as a liaison with other university departments in negotiations involving research compliance.

The RCO will create a research compliance program that facilitates research while ensuring compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations by developing and implementing compliance related policies and processes; conducting training programs for staff, researchers, and administrators; and conducting regular internal audits and risk analyses. To ensure the success of the university’s research compliance program, the incumbent will oversee and navigate important and sensitive interactions with key stakeholders across campus, including senior administrators, university compliance, faculty, students, and staff.

The RCO is responsible for administration and facilitation of regulatory compliance and assurance efforts associated with research activities at the University of West Florida. S/he will monitor and analyze developing trends and changes in regulatory compliance laws, rules, and regulations; advise management of the operational impact of such trends and changes; and facilitate implementation of new and regulatory changes as necessary. This position provides administrative assistance to the IRB, the IACUC, and other regulatory committees as appropriate. The RCO is responsible for educating faculty, staff, and students regarding compliance regulations and responsibilities or human subjects, animal care, and related issues. This includes dissemination of presentations to classes and departments upon request and the maintenance of the electronic training certification system.

On behalf of the IRB, the RCO analyzes protocol submissions to determine potential risk, in accordance with federal and other appropriate regulations, prior to distribution to board members. The incumbent must ensure that IRB, IACUC, RCR, export control, research-related contracts, and COI records are being maintained appropriately and that the records are accessible, upon request, to authorized federal officials. The incumbent will also prepare assurances and other reports. This position is responsible for managing regulatory compliance web pages and a comprehensive database of protocols and their on-going disposition.

Responsibilities:

The research compliance officer will work closely with the assistant vice president for research to plan, develop, implement, modify, monitor, and maintain a comprehensive research compliance operation. The incumbent is responsible for working to ensure compliance with federal regulations, state statutes, and university policy, as well as establishing comprehensive training programs for each compliance area. Compliance responsibilities will be conducted in coordination with the university’s compliance function.

Minimum Qualifications: A Master’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization and two years of appropriate experience; or a bachelor’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization and four years of appropriate experience.

Preferred Qualifications: Certification in sponsored research administration (CRA), strong personal communication skills, ability to organize heavy workload and meet deadlines, ability to work in a team environment. Thorough knowledge of federal guidelines for IRB. HIPPA, IACUC. Knowledge of grant proposal writing and commercialization of research.

Experience in an institution of higher education, a law firm, or an in-house legal or compliance department with exposure to varied areas of law and regulatory compliance practice applicable to institutions of higher education. Familiarity with federal, state, and local regulations governing areas of university operations highly preferred.

1. Demonstrated record of progressive professional experience in an administrative office; experience could be in a university or other educational institution, a research center or institute, a government organization, or a not-for-profit agency;

2. Knowledge of and experience with federal grant compliance issues, including FERPA, Higher Education Opportunity Act at higher education institutions;

3. Experience in work environments where confidentiality and ethical behaviors emphasized;

4. Ability to demonstrate strong communication, interpersonal, analytic, writing, presentation, self-motivation, broad thinking, and business skills;

5. Computer proficiency with programs such as Microsoft Office (Word, Access, Excel, PowerPoint); and

6. Team-oriented

For more information about this position, please look for position number 105460 on jobs.uwf.edu. Applications must be submitted online via https://jobs.uwf.edu/. The preferred application response date is December 6, 2019, but the position will remain open until filled.

The University of West Florida is an Equal Opportunity/Access/Affirmative Action/Disabled/Veteran employer. Any individual requiring special accommodation to apply is requested to advise UWF by contacting UWF Human Resources at 1-850-474-2694 (voice) or 1-850-857-6158 (TTY). A criminal background check is required for successful candidates. E-Verify requirements may apply for employment in certain positions. All applications for employment at the University are subject to Florida public records law.

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