Senior Grants and Contracts Specialist

Job Posting Title:

Senior Grants and Contracts Specialist

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Hiring Department:

Applied Research Laboratories

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Position Open To:

All Applicants

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Weekly Scheduled Hours:

40

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FLSA Status:

Exempt

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Earliest Start Date:

Immediately

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Position Duration:

Expected to Continue

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Location:

PICKLE RESEARCH CAMPUS

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Job Details:

Purpose

Senior level contract administrator for grants and federal contracts for Applied Research Laboratories.

Responsibilities

• Pre-award: Work with research staff to develop, compile, and process proposals through the university to meet sponsor guidelines and timeframes. Assist with review of documents, spreadsheets, and related data for accuracy and compliance with sponsor guidelines and relevant regulations. Review/negotiate terms for Federal, State and other contracts/agreements at all levels of complexity. 

• Award administration: Monitor the establishment of new awards and sub-contracts with correct budgets and documentation. Provide guidance and support to Contracts Office grants and contracts specialists, principal investigators, and research teams in navigating complex contract and grant terms. Prepare clauses, reports, agreements, training materials, tools, checklists, and other documentation or correspondence required to administer research agreements.   

• Award maintenance: Administer awards, provisions, and deliverables for research agreements of all levels of complexity, and collaborate with internal and external constituents on project account management, sub-contract management, and project closeout. Prepare and review cost estimates to meet university accounting requirements. Serve as a subject matter expert on federal regulations, sponsor guidelines, and university policies related to contracts and grants administration

• Communication: 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. Ensure contracts office grants and contracts specialists are up-to-date on administrative office functions.

• Professional development: Stay informed about changes in Federal regulations and sponsor policies that impact grants and contracts administration.  Acquire/maintain knowledge of FAR/DFARS, Uniform Guidance and other Federal regulations to support contract administration. Mentor and provide guidance to Contracts Office grants and contracts specialists, fostering professional development and growth; contribute to process improvement initiatives by working with the Contracts manager.

• Other related functions and special projects, as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business or public administration, social sciences, or a technical/scientific field.

• Five 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 research, interpersonal communication, and writing skills.

• High level of proficiency in spreadsheet and word processing applications (MS Office Suite and Adobe Acrobat Pro).

• Demonstrated ability to interact tactfully and professionally with all groups of people under stressful and time-sensitive conditions; be supervised; and work independently, and as a team member.

• Demonstrated 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.

US Citizen. Selected applicant is subject to government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information at level appropriate to project requirements of the position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Eligibility for immediate access to classified information

• Certified Research Administrator

• 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)