Pre-Award Associate

Department: Vice Pres For Research

Summary

The Pre-Award Associate counsels, advises, and assists faculty and staff with proposal and budget development for externally funded projects.

Responsibilities 

• Counsel, advise and assist faculty and staff with proposal and budget development, which includes reviewing proposals for conformance with sponsor and University guidelines.
  
• Review and interpret applicable federal, state, agency, and University policies and guidelines for proposal submissions.
  
• Coordinate the review, processing, and submission of subrecipient paperwork.
  
• Make final recommendation to University-authorized representatives for proposal submission, indicating conformance with federal, state, agency and University policies and guidelines.
  
• Provide pro-active and problem-solving guidance and support to faculty and staff related to proposals.
  
• Draft, compose and edit legal correspondence related to proposals, contracts, and agreements.
  
• Contribute and/or lead in the identification, establishment, review and improvement of pre-award policies and procedures for sponsored programs.
  
• Participate in the creation and presentation of workshops, seminars, and on-demand tutorials to educate others in sponsored program administration.
  
• Participate in special projects and other assigned duties to further the department’s goals and objectives.
  
• Commit to learning about continuous improvement strategies and applying them to everyday work. Actively engage in University continuous improvement initiatives.
  
• Apply safety-related knowledge, skills, and practices to everyday work.
  
• Supervisory Responsibilities: Functional supervision may be exercised over staff and/or students.
  
  

Required Education, Certifications, Licensures

• Bachelor’s degree in a relative field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and abilities can be acquired.

Required Experience

• Experience using personal computers and basic software packages including advanced features of word processing, spreadsheet/database, and Adobe Acrobat software.

Desirable Education and/or Experience

• Relative experience working in a higher education environment.
• Experience developing and preparing bid/proposal budgets.
  

Required Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities

• Excellent interpersonal, customer service and oral/written communication skills.
  
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to successfully complete multiple tasks within established and changing deadlines.
  
• Demonstrated ability to work with accuracy, precision, and attention to detail.
  
• Demonstrated ability to work in a high volume and deadline-oriented work environment.
  
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and take the initiative to solve problems.
  
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a team.
  
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively across cultural boundaries and work harmoniously with diverse groups of students, faculty, and staff.
  
• Demonstrated commitment to contribute to a safe work environment.

Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities

• Demonstrated understanding of contract language and/or knowledge of business law.
  
• Familiarity with electronic research administration systems.
  
• Familiarity with federal guidelines related to grant and contract administration.
  
• Demonstrated success in, or potential future contributions to, working with persons from diverse backgrounds, creating a sense of belonging, and fostering a fair, objective, welcoming place to work for persons with a wide variety of personal characteristics and viewpoints. **

Work Environment and/or Physical Demands