Grants and Contracts Administrator I, II, III, or Senior

Position Function:

This position serves as a member of a team of professional and support staff in the Office of Sponsored Projects who provide university-wide leadership in the development and administration of sponsored projects. Specifically, the Grants and Contracts Administrator I, II, III, or Senior will assist in providing services such as proposal review and endorsement, agreement negotiation, award acceptance and authorization, and limited post-award research services in accordance with university, federal, and sponsor regulations, policies, and procedures. Rankings and qualifications within levels (I, II, III, Senior) are based on education and experience.

Salary Grade:  14

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.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide guidance and support for faculty, staff, and administrators in the preparation and submission of grant and contract proposals.
• Review proposals to ensures all applications comply with state and federal laws and abide by policies and procedures established by Mississippi State University and sponsoring agencies guidelines.
• Review budgets for correct calculation of expenditure categories such as salaries, percent effort, salary adjustment increases, fringe benefits, tuition, materials, equipment, subcontracts, and F&A.
• Review other proposal elements such as budget justification, biosketch, current and pending support, conflict of interest, collaborators and other affiliations, etc. for consistency, accuracy, and completeness.
• Submit proposals on behalf of Mississippi State University.
• Assist with negotiation on behalf of the university all grants and contracts awarded to MSU and obtain signature of authorized organizational representative.
• Verify compliance with research regulatory matters such as IACUC, IRB, IBC, COI, export control, etc.
• Coordinate the execution of grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, and subawards.
• Submit no-cost extensions, budget revisions, change in scope of work, change in PI, etc.
• Monitor and update assigned tickets.
• Monitor assigned sponsors for updates to policies and ensure changes are communicated to campus.
• Act as a liaison between faculty and staff with various sponsors.
• Know policies and procedures applicable to assigned duties.
• Provide guidance, training, and support for departmental staff.
• Perform similar or related duties as assigned or required.

Minimum Qualifications:

Grants & Contracts Administrator I:
Bachelor’s Degree in a related field. One year of relevant experience.
Grants & Contracts Administrator II:
Bachelor’s Degree in a related field. Three years of relevant experience. Experience must include at least 2 years at the preceding level.
Grants & Contracts Administrator III:
Bachelor’s Degree in a related field. Five years of relevant experience. Experience must include at least 2 years at the preceding level.
Senior Grants & Contracts Administrator:
Master’s Degree, Ph.D., or Juris Doctor and a Professional Certification related to Research Administration (CRA, CPRA, CFRA, or PMP). Five years of relevant experience. Experience must include at least 2 years at the preceding level.

Substitution for Education: Two years of experience may be substituted for a master’s degree for the position of Senior Grants & Contracts Administrator

Substitution for Experience: Additional relevant education may substitute for experience for the position of Grants & Contracts Administrator I.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• 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
• Knowledge of mathematics.
• Ability to provide technical advice and information to faculty and staff in area of expertise.
• Knowledge of federal, state and/or commu