Application Deadline:17 June 2024

Department:Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory

Employment Type:Full Time

Location:Cambridge, MA

Reporting To:Supervisory Financial Analyst

Compensation:$81,963 - $106,549 / year

Description

OPENING DATE: May 17, 2024

CLOSING DATE: June 18, 2024

TYPE OF POSITION: Trust Indefinite (Non-Federal)

DIVISION: Budget and Financial Services (BFS)

LOCATION: Cambridge, MA

AREA OF CONSIDERATION: This position is open to all eligible candidates.

What are Trust Fund Positions?

Trust Fund positions are unique to the Smithsonian. They are paid for from a variety of sources, including the Smithsonian endowment, revenue from our business activities, donations, grants and contracts. Trust employees are not part of the civil service, nor does trust fund employment lead to Federal status. The salary ranges for trust positions are generally the same as for federal positions and in many cases trust and federal employees work side by side. Trust employees have their own benefit program and may include Health, Dental & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Transit/Commuter Benefits, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Annual and Sick Leave, Family Friendly Leave, 403b Retirement Plan, Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships, Museum Stores and Restaurants, Credit Union, Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (Childcare), Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care).

Conditions of Employment

Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation, as required.
Complete a Probationary Period if applicable.
Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.
The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States. Proof of eligibility to work in U.S. is not required to apply.
Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

Overview

INTRODUCTION

The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) is at the forefront, internationally, of the scientific exploration of the universe. SAO combines its resources with those of the Harvard College Observatory to form the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA). The CfA is the best-known astrophysics center in the world. Its programs range from ground-based astronomy and astrophysics research to space-based research, the engineering and development of major scientific instrumentation for space launch and use in large ground-based facilities, and research designed to improve science education. The research objectives of SAO are carried out primarily with the support of Government and Smithsonian Institution funds, with additional philanthropic support. Government funds are in the form of Federal appropriations or the form of contracts and grants from other agencies. In contrast, Institution funds are available to SAO through grants from the Institution's Restricted Funds, Special Purpose Funds, Bureau Activities, Business Activities, and non-Federal contracts and grants.

PURPOSE

The purpose of the position is to provide comprehensive financial support, including analysis and reporting, support budget management function and provide accounting support. Additionally, the position serves as a resource to Observatory staff, providing guidance regarding the methods, techniques and policies that govern financial processes and reporting at SAO. This position will also support critical areas within the Budget and Financial Services and Business Operations Services Group and serve as a liaison to SAO Research Administration Services and Property & Procurement Department.

MAJOR DUTIES

Provides financial support, including analysis and reporting: supports the financial analysis and reporting function for various Institutional funding sources, monitors expenditures, reports on budget to actual activity, provides forecasting and trend analyses, and provides other tailored reporting necessary for evaluating the organization's financial health, including performing reconciliations for various funds.
Participates in the federal appropriation and trust fund budget formulation process by actively contributing to developing and coordinating information during the budget submission process.
Performs detailed budget review and expenditure monitoring of internally funded projects, including Independent Research & Development (IRD) and Bid & Proposal (B&P) applications
Supports the accounting function, which includes performing reconciliation of accounting information, reviewing procurement requests for allowability appropriateness of expenditures, and ensuring the expenditures adhere to budgeting limitations
Serves as a resource to Observatory staff regarding financial policy and compliance, including monitoring expenditures across various funding sources, provides interpretation and application of federal regulations for contract and grant accounting to division administrative staff, supports the preparation and dissemination of guidance material to all Observatory staff, aiming to provide support, clarity, and explanation of significant regulatory requirements, policies, procedures, and associated changes.

Qualification Requirements

Basic Requirements:

Candidates must possess at least one year of specialized experience in similar positions at or above the grade (09 ) level. Specialized experience is experience that has provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the work of the position successfully.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities required:

Advanced knowledge of the policies, precedents, goals, objectives, regulations, and guidelines of a functional area, such as financial oversight, budget formulation, and/or budget execution, sufficient to analyze and evaluate continual changes in program plans and funding and their effect on financial and budget program milestones; and analyze financial and budgetary relationships to develop recommendations for financial and/or budgetary actions.
Working knowledge of Office of Management and Budget (OMB), OMB circular 2 CFR 200, Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), GAAP, SAO, and SI policies, processes, procedures, and regulations sufficient to issue instruction or guidance on financial matters affecting sponsored projects or division/department spending or reporting.
Comprehensive knowledge of the theories, regulations, current/revised guidance, management policies, and practices, including financial facets of SAO's sponsored projects awards, institutional (administrative and research) allotments, cost centers, federal budgets (one-year and no-year), endowments, and discretionary accounts.
Knowledge of current requirements of financial interfaces with research sponsors. Knowledge of and skill in using enterprise financial information systems and other software tools and the ability to produce meaningful and accurate evaluations and concisely compiled financial analyses.
Knowledge of standard business communication techniques sufficient to analyze, articulate, and understand issues or concerns related to financial matters.
Knowledge of the SAO and SI planning- programming-budgeting information systems to advise and support a variety of budgeting functions required to conduct SAO's wide variety of scientific research programs.
General knowledge of the operations of scientific research programs of SAO divisions and their budgetary restrictions and requirements.

Applicants, who wish to qualify based on education completed outside the United States, must be deemed equivalent to higher education programs of U.S. Institutions by an organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. This documentation is the responsibility of the applicant and should be included as part of your application package.

Any false statement in your application may result in your application being rejected and may also result in termination after employment begins.

The Smithsonian Institution values and seeks a diverse workforce. Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery."

Resume/CV should include a description of your paid and non-paid work experience that is related to this job; starting and ending dates of job (month and year); and average number of hours worked per week. College Transcript should be provided if using education for qualification.

What To Expect Next: Once the vacancy announcement closes, a review of your resume will be compared against the qualification and experience requirements related to this job. After review of applicant resumes is complete, qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contacthr@cfa.harvard.edu. Requests for reasonable accommodation will be determined on a case-by-case basis. To learn more, please review the Smithsonian's Accommodation Procedures.

The Smithsonian Institution is anEqual Opportunity Employer. We believe that a workforce comprising a variety of educational, cultural, and experiential backgrounds support and enhance our daily work life and contribute to the richness of our exhibitions and programs. See Smithsonian EEO program information: www.si.edu/oeema.

The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity in our workplace. Please visit the SAO website at http://www.cfa.harvard.edu/