Contract & Grant Specialist I, II, III, or Sr

MSU Jobs•Starkville, MS

1d•Onsite

About The Position

This position manages and provides support for pre and/or post-award activities within a department for extramural projects including proposal development assistance, accounting reconciliations and forecasts, contract and grant management. Rankings and qualifications within levels (I, II, III, Senior) are based on education and experience. Employees hired into Intermittent positions are limited to working no more than 720 hours per fiscal year. Salary Grade : 13 Please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and Service Maintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges. For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department. Department Profile: Area of Specialization: Office of Research and Graduate Studies Anticipated Appointment Date: Tenure Track Status: Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Assists Principal Investigators (PIs) in the development, preparation, and submission of grant and contract proposals. Ensures all applications comply with agency and university guidelines. Assists PI with adherence to funding agency requirements (budget requirements, bio sketches, current & pending support, other required forms, cost sharing obligations, etc.) for consistency, accuracy, and completeness. Coordinates with PI and pre-award and/or post-award support staff at collaborating institutions to secure necessary subaward documents for proposals. Ensures proposals are entered and routed in a timely manner for further review. Provides monthly sponsored account reports and balances, reviews expenditures for compliance, resolves accounting issues, and prepares spending projections for awards. Monitors proposal and award (non-financial/financial) status and advises PI on requirements and deadlines associated with reports, research protection and protocols. Advises the PI and assists with budget adjustments, modifications, and revisions necessary to meet the sponsor requirements. Assists PI with navigating search tools and communicates funding opportunities and proposals. Stays informed of sponsor updates and changes relative to grants administration. Knows policies and procedures applicable to assigned duties. Provides guidance, training, and support for departmental staff. Performs similar or related duties as assigned or required. Supervisory Responsibility: May supervise the work of others.

Requirements

Contract & Grant Specialist I - Bachelor’s Degree in a related field. One year of relevant experience.
Contract & Grant Specialist II - Bachelor’s Degree in a related field. Three years of relevant experience.
Contract & Grant Specialist III - Bachelor’s Degree in a related field. Five years of relevant experience.
Senior Contract & Grants Specialist - Master’s Degree and a Professional Certification related to Research Administration (CRA, CPRA, CFRA, or PMP). Five years of relevant experience.
Ability to analyze budgetary line items for compliance with budget guidelines.
Ability to perform complex tasks and to prioritize multiple projects.
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
Information research skills.
Database management skills.
Organizing and coordinating skills.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies
Spreadsheet, database, and word processing skills mandatory.
Knowledge of mathematics.
Ability to provide technical advice and information to faculty and staff in area of expertise.
Knowledge of federal, state and/or community funding sources and mechanisms.
Records maintenance skills.
Knowledge of grant funding policies and procedures and applicable local, state, federal and university regulations.
Knowledge of the Uniform Guidance (OMB Circulars) and standard cost accounting.
Ability to make administrative/procedural decisions and judgments.
Attention to detail.

Nice To Haves

Substitution for Education: Two years of experience may be substituted for a master’s degree at the senior level.
ABDs or degree pending considered (all but DISS)

Responsibilities

Assists Principal Investigators (PIs) in the development, preparation, and submission of grant and contract proposals.
Ensures all applications comply with agency and university guidelines.
Assists PI with adherence to funding agency requirements (budget requirements, bio sketches, current & pending support, other required forms, cost sharing obligations, etc.) for consistency, accuracy, and completeness.
Coordinates with PI and pre-award and/or post-award support staff at collaborating institutions to secure necessary subaward documents for proposals.
Ensures proposals are entered and routed in a timely manner for further review.
Provides monthly sponsored account reports and balances, reviews expenditures for compliance, resolves accounting issues, and prepares spending projections for awards.
Monitors proposal and award (non-financial/financial) status and advises PI on requirements and deadlines associated with reports, research protection and protocols.
Advises the PI and assists with budget adjustments, modifications, and revisions necessary to meet the sponsor requirements.
Assists PI with navigating search tools and communicates funding opportunities and proposals.
Stays informed of sponsor updates and changes relative to grants administration.
Knows policies and procedures applicable to assigned duties.
Provides guidance, training, and support for departmental staff.
Performs similar or related duties as assigned or required.