Contracts and Grants Specialist

MSU Jobs•Starkville, MS

About The Position

The Forest and Wildlife Research Center/College of Forest Resources, Mississippi State University is seeking to fill a 12 month, fulltime, Contract & Grant Specialist position within the Department of Sustainable Bioproducts. This position manages and provides support for pre and/or post-award activities within the Sustainable Bioproducts department for extramural projects including proposal development assistance, accounting reconciliations and forecasts, contract and grant management. Salary Grade : UC 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. One of three departments in the College of Forest Resources, the Department of Sustainable Bioproducts activities include undergraduate/graduate instructions, research and service programs in natural resources.

Requirements

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in a related field.
Experience: One year of relevant experience.
Salary commensurate with 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 in a diverse community.
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

Particular consideration will be given to candidate with expertise, experience, and/or high potential in the topics outlined above along with demonstrated experience with grants and contracts.

Responsibilities

Assisting Principal Investigators (PIs) in the development, preparation, and submission of grant and contract proposals.
Ensuring all applications comply with agency and university guidelines.
Assisting PIs 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.
Coordinating with PIs and pre-award and/or post-award support staff at collaborating institutions to secure necessary sub award documents for proposals.
Ensuring proposals are entered and routed in a timely manner for further review.
Providing monthly sponsored account reports and balances, reviews expenditures for compliance, resolves accounting issues, and prepares spending projections for awards.
Monitoring proposals and award (non-financial/financial) status and advising PIs on requirements and deadlines associated with reports, research protection and protocols.
Advising PIs and assisting with budget adjustments, modifications, and revisions necessary to meet the sponsor requirements.
Assisting PIs with navigating search tools and communicates funding opportunities and proposals.
Staying informed of sponsor updates and changes relative to grants administration.