Research Security Officer

Job Description

The Research Security Officer will be responsible for implementation and maintenance of our university clients’ research security and export controls compliance programs. The position will serve as the subject matter expert on research security export controls for our institutions and will partner with other functional leaders throughout the system to effectuate the research security and export controls compliance programs.

• Promotes a culture of compliance and oversees adherence to federal regulations as well as institution and sponsoring agency policies and procedures related to research security and export controls.
• Executes compliance program activities, including conducting risk assessments, developing work plans, and taking corrective action as necessary. Partners with other institution assurance functions (e.g., Compliance, Office of General Counsel, etc.) to operate efficiently.
• Serves as the institution’s research security point of contact. Responds to requests for information from external parties.
• Serves as the institution’s point of contact in administering the institution’s export control program and its obligations, policies, and procedures. Makes all export control determinations and serves as the empowered official for ITAR. Assesses whether export control licenses are required and manages the license process with applicable federal agencies.
• Executes the Research Security and Export Controls Manual by working closely with key institution representatives, faculty, and staff regarding export control obligations and safeguards. Partners with other operational units to update policies and procedures to support export control compliance.
• Establishes and sustains effective working relationships, builds credibility, and works collaboratively with faculty, staff, and students. Coordinates operational functions and builds relationships with individuals and areas across the institution impacted by research security and export controls to promote a culture of ethics and compliance.
• Maintains expertise related to ITAR, EAR, OFAC regulations, NSDD-189, CUI policies, NSPM-33, CHIPS & Science Act of 2022, federal funding agency policies, and federal contracting requirements. Coordinates institutional-wide initiatives to respond appropriately to federal regulations as they apply to research security and export control requirements. Advises the Seattle Children’s community on trends in regulation and enforcement impacting research.
• Manages restricted party screening program. Works with users of screening software and with the vendor to grant access and train users. Reviews screening matches and adjudicates matches, coordinating with research Centers, Human Resources, the Office of General Counsel, and other offices as needed.
• Reviews international visiting scholar, staff, and student requests (J-1, O-1, or H-1B) for export control considerations. Coordinates with the Office of International Students and Scholars, academic departments, Human Resources, and the Office of General Counsel as needed.
• Develops process to capture and review international travel requests and supports traveler compliance with funding agency requirements and export control regulation. Promotes travel hygiene by providing travelers with information about security risks and safe travel practices as requested.
• Develops processes and training for employees around tracking export controlled equipment and international shipments. Consults with faculty, staff, and students as needed to ensure compliance with U.S. sanctions, technology export concerns, and security risks.
• Reviews research proposals, grant awards, confidentiality/non-disclosure agreements, and other contracts for which research security terms and conditions or export controls may apply. Provides advice and guidance to the institution’s signature authority and/or Authorized Organizational Representative and to center business units in order to navigate regulatory and institutional requirements.
• Supports the implementation of technology control plans. Partners with principal investigators and other operations units (e.g., IT, Facilities, etc.) to develop appropriate controls. Monitors technology control plans for compliance.
• Partners with the Office of Sponsored Research, CRSO, and OINV to develop, review, and monitor risk mitigation plans as required by federal funding agencies.
• Leads and/or participates in various Seattle Children’s committees and ad-hoc working groups related to research security, export controls, and other research-related matters.
• Supports research security-related reporting requirements, including development and submission of the Foreign Gifts and Contracts Report (Higher Education Act Section 117) and Foreign Financial Disclosure Reporting (CHIPS and Science Act Section 10339B).

Minimum Requirements

• In-depth understanding of ITAR, EAR, OFAC regulations, and federal contracting requirements.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to work collaboratively.
• Proven experience in developing and implementing research compliance programs, global trade compliance, and/or research operations.
• A Bachelor’s degree and at least 5 years of direct experience or equivalent combination of relevant advanced degree and experience.

Equipment Knowledge

• None

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience working in academic research or other non-profit.

Work Skills

• Skill in developing robust online training materials.
• Experience interpreting federal regulation; synthesizing and distilling disparate and complex sets of regulation.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills and experience building partnerships across departments.

Additional Requirements

• Demonstrated ability to build trusted advisor relationships with clients.
• Experience supporting sales and business development.
• Position requires flexibility to travel periodically based on business and client needs.