Administrative Assistant I - Research & Econ Development

University of Massachusetts Dartmouth•Dartmouth, MA

62d

About The Position

This position will serve as a primary pre & post-award liaison for individual investigators assigned by the Chief Research Officer. The incumbent will provide direct support and guidance to Principal Investigators applying for research funding through a variety of federal agencies and non-federal organizations, assisting faculty in all aspects of proposal preparation, including preparing proposal, subsections, budget development and non-technical components of applications; reviewing and interpreting sponsor solicitations, obtaining departmental, College and University approvals as required. The incumbent will also assist with all aspects of the post award administration including budget monitoring, assistance with purchasing, hiring, travel and facilities requests. The incumbent will work directly with faculty and administrators to monitor and ensure compliance and efficiency of grant activity, fiscal resources and controls.

Requirements

Knowledge of the principles and practices of office management.
Knowledge of the methods of general report writing.
Knowledge of the methods used in the preparation of charts, graphs and tables.
Knowledge of the types and uses of general office equipment.
Ability to understand, explain and apply the laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, specifications, standards and guidelines governing assigned unit activities.
Ability to analyze and determine the applicability of data, to draw conclusions and to make appropriate recommendations.
Ability to follow written and oral instructions.
Ability to gather information through questioning individuals and by examining records and documents.
Ability to write concisely to express thoughts clearly and to develop ideas in logical sequence.
Ability to assemble items of information in accordance with established procedures.
Ability to determine proper format and procedure for assembling items of information.
Ability to prepare general reports.
Ability to maintain accurate records.
Ability to prepare and use charts, graphs and tables.
Ability to communicate effectively in oral expression.
Ability to give written and oral instructions in a precise, understandable manner.
Ability to deal tactfully with others.
Ability to establish rapport and maintain harmonious working relationships with persons from varied ethnic, cultural and/or economic backgrounds.
Ability to supervise, including planning and assigning work according to the nature of the job to be accomplished, the capabilities.
Ability to exercise sound judgment.
Ability to exercise discretion in handling confidential information.
Applicants must have at least: (A) two years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, experience in office management, office administration, business administration or business management, the major duties of which included one or more of the following functions: purchasing, personnel management, budgeting, accounting, records management, work simplification, grants management, contract administration or program management, (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.

Responsibilities

Support faculty and staff in the preparation & submission of proposals and post-award administration of sponsored research projects.
Assist with calculations for budget development pertaining to grant activity.
Interact with a variety of campus and system-wide administrative offices to facilitate the management, administration and implementation of sponsored research.
Interpret a broad range of sponsor & University policies, government regulations and contractual requirements.
Coordinate and conduct all administrative activities associated with sponsored award management.
Duties will include assisting with purchasing, travel administration and hiring, perform tasks relating to budgetary compliance, submission of facilities maintenance requests and requisitions, assist with all aspects of research compliance, including submission to IRB, IACUC, etc., prepare and monitor budgets, expense reports & invoices.
Responsible for issuance of gift cards to research participants, and reconciliation of records, including MTURK.
Process all Purchase Orders and Direct Pay Invoices for CVIP.
Participate in the presentation of research administration training sessions.
Maintain databases of assisted grant activity.
Act as liaison and first point-of-contact for faculty/staff seeking information and assistance about grant submissions, policies and procedures.
Assist, supervise, train and assess work-study students on office procedures and duties assigned to them.
Responsible for maintaining confidential files (hard copy and electronic copies) for assisted grant activity.
Responsible for keeping up to date on all relevant components of PeopleSoft Financial and Student systems.
Provide faculty/staff with required information from PeopleSoft and other logistical software.
Assist with edits to faculty research webpages and/or research departmental web pages.
Provide backup assistance to the Administrative Assistant II.
Other job-related duties and responsibilities as assigned