Sponsored Programs Administrator 2: Office of Research, Innovation, and Economic Development - UTK

This position performs sponsored programs functions associated with increasingly complex proposal reviews and submissions to include, budget development, solicitation interpretation, ensuring compliance with University and sponsor policies and processing award documents with little or no contract negotiations.

Engages in increasingly complex sponsored programs activities

Specific to Proposal Position:

• Possess the ability to understand and analyze Request for Proposals (RFP) and communicates that information to faculty, peers, administrators, staff and researchers 

• Thoroughly review and submit proposals without having errors and ensuring all items adhere to the RFP/Solicitation. Proposals are more complex and include subcontractors, multiple campuses, or multiple Principal Investigators

• Understand the difference between an NSF and NIH proposal with a Department of Defense or Department of Energy proposal and can submit all types without errors, accurately, and timely.

• Learn and process award documents requiring no negotiations  timely and accurately

• Process no cost time extensions independently and correctly

• Interpret and apply UT fiscal policies in proposals accurately, with limited assistance

• Understand  the basic of UT's subcontracting process

• Prepare project budgets consistent with applicable regulations

• Provide thorough review and analysis of applications for external funding in accordance with UT policies and procedures

Applicable to both Proposal and Contract Positions:

• Interpret and apply funding agency guidelines, rules, and regulations accurately, with limited assistance

• Ability to use IRIS by accessing account information, verifying award information, period of performance, etc.

• Involved in Research Administration professional organizations by serving as a volunteer when attending a professional development conference; and/or participating by writing articles for professional organization magazines or other documents.

• Consult with Team Leader and/or Director on issues related to sponsored programs. Seeks advice and assistance as needed

• Participate in other research administration initiatives and takes an active role in activities such as streamlining initiatives, RAOR Forum, newsletters, and other initiatives as they arise

• Recognize the need for compliance and directs Investigators to compliance officers

• Understand and apply financial principles in OMB

Assist and advise faculty and college/departmental research support staff with sponsored programs activities

Specific to Proposal Position:

• Assist faculty with submitting government type proposals requiring cost and technical proposals

• Provide support  to the Research Development Team on complex large proposals and serves as the Lead Sponsored Programs Administrator

Applicable to both Proposal and Contract Positions:

• Understand and provide advice to faculty and staff on basic requirements of IRB, IACUC, Export Control and Bio-Safety

• Prepare and lead basic to intermediate training on topics related to sponsored programs, such as Grants.gov application processes; NSF Step by Step; NIH and eRA Commons; UT Battelle Proposal Processing, etc.

• Serve on university committees or university sponsored committees

Other Duties:           

Perform other duties as needed to achieve the goals and expectations of ORIED and research community.

Required Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related  field 

Experience: 

• Minimum 1 year of experience working in a sponsored programs related field

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: 

Specific to Proposal Position

• Knowledge of and proficiency in using sponsor-specific submission systems (Fastlane, Grants.gov, NSPIRES, etc.)

• Ability to work with faculty and other researchers on solicitation  review, proposal review  and submission

Applicable to both Proposal and Contract Positions

• Must  have excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work individually and in a team environment under stressful and time-sensitive conditions

• Ability  to manage competing priorities and meet time-sensitive deadlines

• Ability to maintain a strong customer-service  oriented environment

• Must  have strong verbal and written communication skills with a demonstrated ability to communicate effectively

• Ability to communicate effectively in the English language including excellent reading comprehension.

• Must  be able to work inn collaboration with others at various levels both within  and outside the University

• Must  have st