NSSC Program Manager (4800C) - Nuclear Engineering

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The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) has awarded $25 million to the University of California, Berkeley, to lead a multi-institution consortium to train the next generation of nuclear scientists and engineers while engaging in collaborative research and development on basic and applied nuclear security science with US DOE National Laboratories. Originally established in 2011, the NNSA recently announced a third five-year grant to support the Nuclear Science and Security Consortium (NSSC).

This position serves as the Program Manager providing oversight and comprehensive administration over the operations of the NSSC, the activity of 40 active faculty members, and 8 sub-recipient institutions. The Program Manager operates independently without any staff oversight reporting directly to the NSSC Director. The Program Manager works within the ERSO infrastructure partnering with the research administration, HR, and payroll teams regarding any activity impacting research finances. All other administrative, safety and personnel matters of the Consortium are directly and independently managed by the Program Manager. For these areas, the program manager has full accountability for the performance of the Nuclear Science and Security Consortium.

The First Review Date for this job is: January 29, 2026 - Open Until Filled

25% PROGRAM RESEARCH AND MANAGEMENT

• Independently manage all activities of the NSSC.
• Work with department for allocation of space for research experiments, student/visitor offices.
• Administers a defined operational program or activities which may include some of the following functions: finance, facilities, payroll, space planning, student services, human resources, communications, informational technology, or safety.
• Assists the NSSC Executive Team in complying with all agency reporting requirements, including notifying sub-recipient institution contacts of reporting requirements and gathering data, data distillation and visualization, and report preparation.
• Attends Executive meetings for the purpose of taking, creating and then distributing notes or minutes. Maintains databases and spreadsheets.
• Works closely with ERSO RSO to obtain necessary financial reports.
• Manages input needed for NSSC reports, including communicating and interacting effectively with NSSC faculty, students, and staff and establishing a process/timeline for getting all necessary material in time to meet deadlines.

25% OPERATIONS

• Interact with HR and Payroll services to verify student eligibility for fees/tuition, fellowship supplements, and determination of pay rates. Determine if there are restrictions regarding use of payroll funds, i.e., non-resident tuition and university fees, taking federal compliance regulations into consideration. Administer, prepare, and process travel arrangements for faculty, PostDocs, graduate students, visiting faculty/scholars, and others including expense reimbursements, lodging, parking, visits, and general scheduling while independently determine the appropriate account for expenses, ensuring compliance with agency's U.S. Citizenship requirement.
• Maintain files and up-to-date information on UC and other agencies' travel regulations and ensure compliance to all.
• Gathers and analyzes financial and other resource data; prepares reports or analyses of operational activities, evaluation of current and proposed services, etc., for internal/external constituencies' review and decision-making.
• Provides office management services for the NSSC.
• Develops content and maintains UC Berkeley NSSC website; manage the evolution of the Consortium's information technology infrastructure and all related problems and complexities, including updates to websites, maintenance of databases, and changes to mailing lists.
• Performs advanced word processing and graphic documentation, develops and designs presentations, prepares reports, memos, letters, newsletters, and electronic mail communications.
• Works closely with the ERSO Research Support Officers to coordinate proper programmatic charging of expenditures.
• Ensures compliance with U.S. Citizenship restriction clause in the Consortium's terms and conditions.
• Identifies solutions or actions required to address problems or risks associated with NSSC technical work, finances or budgets, personnel, or facilities and equipment.

25% EVENTS PLANNING AND PROGRAM LOGISTICS

• Plans and administers all logistics for special events such as conferences, seminars, bootcamps, summer schools, and workshops, ensuring compliance with federal travel and entertainment guidelines and university policy.
• Coordinates, plans, and executes all research conferences and events, including off-site as well as on-site conferences, seminars, and workshops.
• Provides assistances to faculty members for meetings and conferences including making reservations, sending invitations, maintaining attendee lists photocopying, printing and distributing communications or meeting materials, arranging catering, making travel and parking reservations, and processing invoices and reimbursements.
• Estimate cost budget, administer payments for caterers, meeting rooms, rental equipment. Assists with public relations work including preparing mailings, gathering information and statistics, database entry, and online searches.

20% PERSONNEL

• Assist PIs with management of all personnel associated with research projects.
• Write letters confirming academic appointments for PostDocs and visiting scholars on behalf of faculty. Prepare recommendations and postings for graduate and undergraduate student fellowships.
• Meet with lab personnel as liaison for PIs to discuss potential conflicts with research activities, academics, or personal problems.
• Communicate consortium fellowship requirements and ensure students and postdocs meet the fellowship obligations.

5% PURCHASING

• Coordinate with project technical and administrative staff for the procurement of equipment, supplies and services.
• Provide and manage purchasing support by ordering highly specialized equipment, supplies, services and repairs from outside vendors and campus units for an extremely technical group of active researchers.
• Solicit quotes, compare bids, and make recommendations according to specialized needs.
• Ensure specific equipment orders have been agency approved.
• Within framework of University purchasing policies and procedures, facilitate transactions and resolve procurement problems.
• Arrange for fabrication accounts with Equipment Management.

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
• Thorough knowledge of University rules and regulations, processes, protocols and procedures for budget, accounting and fund management, and / or personnel management.
• Interpersonal skills including verbal and written communication, active listening, critical thinking, persuasiveness, advising and counseling skills.
• Knowledge of a variety of administrative operational activities such as event planning, basic fundraising processes, risk management planning, website design, accounting and payroll, and contracts and grants regulations and guidelines.
• Solid knowledge of common University-specific computer application programs.
• Ability to use discretion and maintain confidentiality.
• Strong skills in short-term planning, analysis, problem-solving, and customer service.
• Thorough knowledge of financial analysis and reporting techniques, and / or human resources policies and procedures for staff and academic employees.

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $80,400 to $120,000 yearly ($6,700 to $10,000 monthly). This is a 100% FTE position eligible for full benefits. This position is FLSA Exempt and paid monthly.

This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional 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; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, 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

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.