Speaking of work...

My job is highly dynamic. In fact, from day to day I might find myself working on a unmanned aerial system (UAS, aka drone), mapping land cover along a desert river, or writing a proposal for a new project so that we (me and four other full-timers and a host of undergraduate techs) have pay checks at the end (or beginning) of each month.

I spent the last two weeks writing a proposal for a small-ish project (120k), which was fine. I completed the proposal, I feel it was well written, and we have a fair chance of being considered for the work. The project will benefit our folks and, I feel, USU overall if we get it; again, that is, if we get it. Writing proposals (and being funded) is kind of like being the kid in high school who isn't a jock but also isn't the worst looking kid. In order to get a date with one girl, you basically have to ask 10. Indeed, persistence is key.

Back to the proposals. I found out on Friday, as I was wrapping up a long two weeks of intensive writing, re-writing, and re-re-writing, that I'm not actually allowed to write. It isn't in my job description (even though it is in my job description) according to the university. And, in doing so, I'm apparently breaking some rule that was written by some twit to ensure that I'm not wasting time doing something useful. Keep in mind, I'm the manager of a lab (title reads associate director or some such) and, apparently, I've been doing it wrong since 2010.

To sum my gripes (since that is really all they are, gripes), the accountant told the dean, the dean told the boss, the boss calls me up and says no bueno. Why? Because, ultimately, even though we have funds that return to our general account from old projects, I'm not allowed to use those funds to turn around and keep the place moving because the government never intended for those funds to be used to pay me to write a proposal to do more work.

So let me lay it out plain and simple: I work at a place with fine, incredibly intelligent folks who want to do a good job (and enjoy their research). At this same place it is almost impossible to give someone a raise or a pat on the back for a job well done because we are second class people in the eyes of the university and state... even though without people like those I work with, the amount and quality of excellent research would be almost zilch. And lastly, I can't even write proposals that keep my folks employed (and, heaven forbid, give them a raise) and keep the good research going such that we benefit the university and all those folks who ultimately take our work and put it to use. Seriously. Boo.