Export Control and Research Security Officer (Hybrid)

About the role

The combined campus Export Control Officer (ECO) and Research Security Officer (RSO) is the primary point of contact for internal and external inquiries regarding export control and research security compliance. Under the general direction of the Executive Director of Research Compliance and Integrity, the ECO/RSO leads and coordinates institution-wide initiatives to interpret, communicate, and apply federal export control and research security laws, regulations, and guidance to research and non-research-related activities.

Responsibilities

• Implements export control policies and proposes new organization-wide export control procedures.
• Applies advanced research compliance concepts, interprets and applies a wide variety of highly complex policies, regulations, and guidelines governing research compliance and/or disclosures.
• Evaluates potential export control risks and develops solutions to eliminate or minimize those risks.
• Develops Control Plans for controlled technologies or restricted entities located both on and off campus.
• Provides leadership and direction to the campus community in export control compliance.
• Buils and fosters a continuing program of outreach, training, and cooperation with other departments and offices on campus with regard to export control compliance.
• Takes part in the campus International Relations and Export Control Workgroup, including providing policy updates to members and briefing members on pertinent and current export control issues.
• Plans meetings, drafts agendas, and keeps meeting minutes.
• Regularly develops or oversees development and delivery of specialized export control training for departments and individuals in the campus research community.
• Conducts outreach to university research administrators, faculty and staff regarding international research, the transfer of materials, restrictions of foreign nationals in labs, publication restrictions, and other areas of export control compliance.
• Develops and implements a communication strategy regarding relevant contracting, licensing of materials, and access issues.
• Develops and maintains strategic relationships.
• In coordination with the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research Compliance and Integrity, interacts with the federal government for review, record keeping, and adherence to published regulations.
• Works closely with the export control staff at UCOP to track and facilitate UC Merced ITAR license applications, from initial review to submission and through agency license determination.
• Coordinates retention of export control documentation and is responsible for all export license-related records retention.
• Reviews, analyzes, and classifies all export-controlled technology or physical items for research gifts, proposals, grants, contracts, and research.
• Facilitates determination of ECCNs or ITAR classifications in coordination with faculty and vendors, including requesting guidance from the Department of Commerce or State when necessary.
• Determines when export licenses are required and the availability of export license exemptions and exceptions.
• In coordination with the Director of Research Integrity, manages complicated export licensing and institutional registration processes to obtain any licenses required by federal regulation.
• Works with UC-approved freight forwarders to ensure that proper documentation accompanies shipments.
• Coyorates and conducts restricted party screenings and product/technology assessments using export control compliance software modules as related to EAR, ITAR, and OFAC.
• Uses appropriate software to conduct screens, monitor screening program on campus, and general audit reports.
• Manages the relationship with the vendor of the export compliance software.
• Provides direction to faculty and staff in order to maximize compliance with export control statutory and regulatory requirements; reviews and suggests improvements to administrative policies where appropriate.
• Reviews and assesses export compliance risks and mitigation options for research gifts, proposals, grants, contracts, and research to ensure compliance with laws, regulations, and University policies.
• Works closely with business offices, departments, and contract offices to identify awards that may require export control monitoring.

Qualifications

• A Master’s degree in a relevant field such as Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Computer Science, or a related field.
• At least 5 years of experience in export control and research security.
• Experience in developing and implementing export control policies and procedures.
• Experience in evaluating potential export control risks and developing solutions to eliminate or minimize those risks.
• Experience in managing export control compliance programs and processes.
• Experience in conducting outreach and training to the campus community on export control compliance.
• Experience in managing export control documentation and records retention.
• Experience in facilitating determination of ECCNs or ITAR classifications.
• Experience in managing complicated export licensing and institutional registration processes.
• Experience in working with UC-approved freight forwarders to ensure proper documentation accompanies shipments.
• Experience in conducting restricted party screenings and product/technology assessments.
• Experience in using appropriate software to conduct screens, monitor screening program on campus, and general audit reports.
• Experience in managing the relationship with the vendor of the export compliance software.
• Experience in providing direction to faculty and staff in order to maximize compliance with export control statutory and regulatory requirements.
• Experience in reviewing and assessing export compliance risks and mitigation options for research gifts, proposals, grants, contracts, and research.
• Experience in working closely with business offices, departments, and contract offices to identify awards that may require export control monitoring.

Skills

• Strong understanding of complex, decentralized, and dynamic federal regulations, requirements, and policies related to the conduct of research and research security.
• Ability to interpret and apply a wide variety of highly complex policies, regulations, and guidelines governing research compliance and/or disclosures.
• Ability to develop and maintain campus export control compliance policies, procedures, and systems, including obtaining licenses.
• Ability to evaluate potential export control risks and develop solutions to eliminate or minimize those risks.
• Ability to develop and maintain a comprehensive and integrated research security program for UC Merced that ensures effective implementation of requirements of the National Security Presidential Memorandum (NSPM-33) and any other applicable statutes.
• Ability to develop and maintain a working knowledge of Dual Use Research of Concern (DURC) regulations and serve as the Institutional Contact for Dual Use Research (ICDUR).
• Ability to utilize a strong understanding of complex, decentralized, and dynamic federal regulations, requirements, and policies related to the conduct of research and research security.
• Ability to provide assistance and support to faculty in the development of research security programs and documentation specific to sponsor requirements.
• Ability to participate in the national conversation with other research security program officers to remain informed of changes, requirements, and interpretation of federal regulations and agency policies.
• Ability to independently research, analyze, and summarize new and complex agency rules and regulations.
• Ability to review, recommend, and communicate additions or changes to mandated requirements to stakeholders.
• Ability to develop and organize any training activities for the division and the campus community, including developing training materials, and organizing and leading informational meetings.
• Ability to participate in local and national forums on export research compliance and monitor issues affecting researchers, organizational oversight committees, the institution, and national groups.
• Ability to periodically review and update public-facing guidance in the areas concerning procedures and guidance documents for export control and any other research compliance areas, as needed.
• Ability to draft and maintain standard operating procedures.
• Ability to develop forms and other procedures that integrate and streamline processes both within the Research Compliance and Integrity Office and in collaboration with other units across campus.
• Ability to serve as a Team Lead by training, orienting, and mentoring peers; coordinating work based on schedules; leading day-to-day work and providing informal feedback.

Benefits

UC Merced offers a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, retirement savings plan, and paid time off.

Pay

The salary or hourly range the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $98,000 - $110,000.

Schedule

This position is hybrid, with one day per week required in the office.