Cooperative Institute Financial & Program Analyst (SME I)

Overview

You are someone who can navigate a complex federal grants portfolio with the same confidence you bring to building a financial tracking dashboard from scratch. You understand that behind every NOAA research breakthrough is a funding stream that needs to be monitored, reconciled, and reported — and you take pride in making sure that process runs without a hitch. As FWI’s Cooperative Institute Financial & Program Analyst supporting NOAA's OAR Cooperative Institute Administration Office (CIAO), you will provide critical financial management, data analysis, and program support services for one of NOAA's most complex grant portfolios — spanning 17 Cooperative Institute programs, multiple funding sources, and university research partners across the United States. From downloading and formatting financial data out of federal grants systems to facilitating CI All Hands meetings and supporting the development of a future cloud-based CI database, your work will be at the center of how NOAA manages, monitors, and maximizes the impact of its cooperative research investments. If you are energized by the intersection of financial rigor, program operations, and mission-driven science, this role was built for you. 

Work Schedule and Location:

Hybrid: This full-time hybrid position will work Monday through Friday, 8 AM EST to 5 PM EST, with up to 90% of work at SSMC3, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910.

FWI is expanding rapidly and has been recognized as a 2024, 2025 and 2026 Top Workplace, offering excellent growth opportunities in a collaborative environment. 

Responsibilities

• Download and format financial data for 17 Cooperative Institute programs from the grants system of record (eRA), NOAA sources, and external software; maintain accurate and current financial records across the CI portfolio 

• Conduct goal alignment studies, operating strategy reviews, and performance measure trend analyses to support CIAO leadership decision-making 

• Produce financial reports that track funding sources — including Line Office, Supplemental, and Reimbursable funding — matched to CI research themes and NOAA mission priorities 

• Extract complex data from grant Research Performance Progress Reports (RPPRs) regarding research themes, public impact, and employee and equipment inventories 

• Monitor unliquidated obligations across the CI enterprise to flag awards with high balances nearing end of their period of performance 

• Coordinate with CI Federal Program Officers (FPOs) to provide quarterly reconciliations between eRA financial reports and CI internal spending projections 

• Develop and maintain systems in Smartsheet and Google Sheets for data synthesis and return-on-investment (ROI) tracking across the CI portfolio 

• Complete data compilation for Annual Cooperative Institute, Top 10 Risk, and Performance Measures reports 

• Provide technical support to Federal Staff in preparing non-competitive Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs) and analytical support to scope, define, and document system requirements for a future cloud-based CI database infrastructure 

• Coordinate and plan CI Brown Bag Series meetings; facilitate biannual CI All Hands meetings including logistics coordination and preparation of meeting materials 

• Work with the NOAA Cooperative Institute Office Director to set agendas and prioritize action items for the reinvigoration of the Cooperative Institute Community 

• Manage and update content for the publicly available Cooperative Institute website; coordinate with OAR Information Technology Office when completing updates 

• Contribute to the development of standardized operating procedures (SOPs), training plans, and communication guidance for CI stakeholders; schedule and prepare CI Enterprise training workshops 

Qualifications

Required: 

• BA/BS in a technical or business discipline — Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Public Administration, Information Systems, Environmental Science, or a closely related field preferred; advanced degrees or certifications may qualify for shorter periods of required experience
• 4+ years of professional and/or academic experience

Desired: 

• Demonstrated experience managing or supporting federal grants financial data, including familiarity with federal grants management systems such as eRA Commons or equivalent platforms

  Proficiency with data management and analysis tools including Smartsheet, Google Sheets, and/or Microsoft Excel; experience building financial tracking systems and dashboards for federal program reporting

   

• Experience producing financial reports that track multiple funding streams, reconcile spending projections, and flag financial risks for federal program leadership

   

• Familiarity with federal grant compliance requirements, Research Performance Progress Reports (RPPRs), and Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) development processes

   

• Experience supporting program coordination functions including meeting facilitation, agenda development, logistics management, and preparation of briefing materials for senior stakeholders

   

• Working knowledge of Cooperative Institute programs, university-federal research partnerships, or NOAA grant management processes preferred

   

• Experience developing or contributing to SOPs, training materials, or stakeholder communications for a federal program or grants management office

   

• Strong analytical and organizational skills; ability to manage multiple competing priorities across a large, complex grant portfolio

   

• Ability to obtain and maintain a Low-risk federal security clearance

Work Setting and Environment:

• Primary location: SSMC3, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910
• Contractors are expected to work on-site each Tuesday (OAR CFO-CAO office day); additional telework is approved on a case-by-case basis by the COR
• Normal work hours are Monday through Friday, 8 hours per day / 40 hours per week, excluding federal holidays
• Local and non-local travel may be required; all unplanned travel must be approved in writing by the COR at least 10 calendar days in advance

FWI is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/vets. 

Why Join Our Team

At FWI, we place the highest importance on creating an exceptional employee experience. You'll have opportunities to achieve your career aspirations through internal promotions, professional development, and other recognition and rewards programs. Join our team and take advantage of the many benefits we offer, including:

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Long-term and Short-term Disability Insurance
• Life Insurance
• 401(k) Plan
• Holiday Pay
• Paid Time Off

Pay Range

Pay ranges from $81,000.00 to $85,800.00 depending on experience, education, and clearance level.