Grants and Contracts Specialist

The University of Texas at Austin•Austin, TX

4d•Onsite

About The Position

Administer grants and contracts for Applied Research Laboratories. Responsibilities include working with principal investigators and research staff to develop and submit proposals for funding of federal grants and research contracts, ensuring compliance with sponsor guidelines and timeframes. The role involves compiling, maintaining, tracking, and disseminating status information and other research administration data, acting as a liaison with internal/external contacts, and ensuring award requirements are accurately documented and communicated. The specialist will prepare and review cost estimates, administer awards, provisions, deliverables, and close-out requirements for research and non-funding agreements. This includes preparing clauses, reports, agreements, training materials, tools, checklists, and other documentation. The position also involves reviewing/negotiating terms for DOD, Federal, State, and other contracts/agreements, and acquiring/maintaining knowledge of FAR/DFARS, Uniform Guidance, and other Federal regulations. Other related functions and special projects, as assigned, are also part of the role.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in business or public administration, social sciences, or a technical/scientific field.
Three years of experience in the preparation, processing, and submission of research proposals to a variety of sponsoring organizations; negotiation of contract terms/conditions.
Ability to exercise sound decision making and problem-solving skills during proposal preparation, contract negotiation, and award administration.
Excellent interpersonal communication and writing skills.
High level of proficiency in spreadsheet and word processing applications (MS Office Suite and Adobe Acrobat Pro).
Demonstrated experience and ability to interact tactfully and professionally with various groups of people under stressful and time-sensitive conditions; accept supervision and feedback; and work both independently and as a team member.
Demonstrated experience and ability for accuracy, attention to detail, and ability to follow established guidelines and office protocol are critical.
Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Federally funded grants and/or research contracts
Current security clearance or ability to obtain a security clearance
Advanced skills with Microsoft Excel
Proficiency in business writing
Experience with Federal acquisitions and contracting
Familiarity with Federal Acquisitions Regulations (FAR), Defense Federal Acquisitions Regulations Supplement (DFARS), and Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200)
Certified Research Administrator

Responsibilities

Work with principal investigators and research staff to develop and submit proposals for funding of federal grants and research contracts meeting sponsor guidelines and timeframes.
Compile, maintain, track and disseminate status information and other research administration data, and act as a liaison with internal/external contacts.
Ensure the award requirements are accurately documented and communicated to relevant lab personnel.
Prepare and review cost estimates to meet university accounting requirements.
Administer awards, provisions, deliverables, and close out requirements for research and non-funding agreements of all levels of complexity processed by the Contracts office.
Prepare clauses, reports, agreements, training materials, tools, checklists, and other documentation or correspondence required to administer research agreements.
Assist with review of documents/spreadsheets/data for accuracy and compliance with relevant regulations.
Review/negotiate terms for DOD, Federal, State and other contracts/agreements at all levels of complexity.
Acquire/maintain knowledge of FAR/DFARS, Uniform Guidance and other Federal regulations to support Contract office functions.
Other related functions and special projects, as assigned.