About UMass Amherst
UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.
About Research & Engagement
The UMass Amherst community engages more than 31,000 students, 1,400 faculty, and 5,000 staff in 11 schools and colleges with a wide variety of degree programs, research, and public service. More than 800 faculty lead sponsored research projects in many areas from basic to applied that are sponsored by federal, state, and private sources with expenditures of more than $240 million in 2023.
Job Summary
The Export Control Compliance Specialist implements UMass Amherst’s export control compliance program as a part of the Research Risk Management program, which maintains policies to appropriately safeguard the University against risks and liabilities inherent in its research activities. The Export Control Compliance Specialist analyzes research projects and activities for potential intersection with U.S. export control laws and regulations, determining if export controls apply and initiating appropriate action to ensure compliance.
Essential Functions
- Analyzes, interprets, and applies U.S. export controls laws and regulations in a University setting.
- Reviews and analyzes documents related to University research to identify intersections with export controls. Develops, implements, and documents the appropriate compliance response.
- Coordinates and communicates with researchers to determine whether export controls apply to their research projects and conveys the results of export-control compliance analyses.
- Conducts Restricted-Party Screening of research collaborators and other parties to determine potential inclusion on restricted entity/person lists issued by governmental departments and agencies.
- Analyzes research subject matter, including equipment and materials, to determine potential inclusion on lists of export-controlled items. Upon identification, applies for licenses and commodity jurisdiction determinations from government entities.
- Develops and provides export control training to campus community members. Attends export control training sessions conducted by governmental departments and agencies.
Other Functions
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
- Bachelor’s degree (preferably in Legal Studies, Public Administration, Business, Science, Engineering, Political Science, International Studies, or other related field) and two (2) years’ experience working in compliance, or an Associate’s Degree and more than five (5) years' experience. An equivalent combination of education, training and experience may be substituted.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills. Ability to interact with a diverse community, both in writing and orally, including students, staff, faculty and campus and system leadership and ability to deal diplomatically with people at all levels.
- Excellent written and oral presentation skills, including ability to create compelling presentation materials and give effective presentations.
- Ability to analyze complex documents and situations, identify workable solutions, and effectively balance service with regulatory compliance.
- Intermediate level of experience with Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
- Well-developed organizational skills and ability to independently work on multiple projects concurrently and to prioritize those projects.
- Ability to work effectively and be flexible in a fast-paced, high-volume professional environment.
Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
- Experience in export controls, compliance, and/or academic research.
Additional Details
- Due to export control compliance reasons, candidates for this position must be a US Person, as defined in 22 C.F.R. 120.62.
Work Schedule
- Monday - Friday, 8 am - 5 pm.
- This position has the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule, which is defined by the University as an arrangement where an employee’s work is regularly performed at a location other than the campus workspace for a portion of the week. As this position falls within the Professional Staff Union, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the Professional Staff Union collective bargaining agreement.
- This position has the opportunity for a remote work schedule, which is defined by the University as an arrangement where the employee’s work location is to work from a site other than the UMass Amherst campus. As this position falls within the Professional Staff Union, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the Professional Staff Union collective bargaining agreement.
Salary Information
Level 26
Exempt Hiring Ranges
Special Instructions to Applicants
Along with the application, please submit a resume. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references. Applications will be reviewed on a continuous basis until the position is filled. Early submissions are encouraged.
UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.