Reporting to the Special Assistant to the President for Sponsored Programs, the Sr. Grants and Contracts
Specialist provides pre award, post award, and compliance support for grants, contracts, and research within
the Office of Sponsored Programs. This position works with the Department Head to design and implement a
comprehensive system for obtaining, managing, and stewarding external grant and contract support for
institutional priorities and faculty research. Pre-award activities include assisting university faculty and staff in
the development, preparation and submission of grant and contract proposals. The Specialist ensures all
applications meet agency, university guidelines, and published timetables and deadlines. The Specialist
ensures proposals are entered and routed in a timely manner for further review. Post-award activities include
maintaining written/electronic documentation of compliance with all grantor’s institutional compliance
requirements (e.g., grant reports) and coordinating with diverse constituencies across campus, including
senior staff and faculty, to ensure effective project management and timely, accurate and substantive
reporting.

Essential Job Functions:
• Investigates, analyzes, and identifies potential sources of support for faculty research and
• academic leaves and conducts workshops on funding sources and grant writing.
• Maintains grant information files including subscription databases. Oversees communication with faculty
on all grant information.
• Advises faculty on grant procedures and reviews/monitors faculty grant applications to ensure
compliance with all college and sponsor requirements.
• Assists in editing, budget preparation and packaging faculty grant proposals for submission.
• Oversees the proposal routing process and serves as liaison to the Financial Administration for timely
submission of all faculty grant proposals.
• Serves as system administrator for all electronic research administration systems.
• Maintains faculty & staff proposal files and data on faculty & staff proposals. Prepares reports for internal
and external communication on faculty grant activity.
• Process purchase orders, check requests and similar internal documents for GS related to the pre-award
process.
• Oversees all regulatory matters (budget and compliance issues) related to grant preparation and
solicitation of support from all federal agencies for faculty grants and serves as a resource on these
issues for all College projects.
• Maintains documentation of compliance with all federal grant certifications and assurances and other
research-related institutional compliance requirements (i.e., reports).
• Serves as liaison with Finance and Administration for budget and compliance matters and all matters
related to federal grant administration.
• Coordinates development of compliance related policies and procedures and appropriate training
programs.
• Monitors technical reporting requirements for faculty grants.
• Monitors compliance with Financial Conflict of Interest policies and Responsible Conduct of Research
training requirements. • IRB Administration duties including Research Integrity Officer
• Other duties as assigned to support the successful operations of the Office of Sponsored Programs
 

Supervisory Responsibilities:
The Sr. Grants and Contracts Specialist may be responsible for hiring and overseeing work-study students to
assist with job duties.

Minimum Job Qualifications Education and/or Experience
• Work requires communications, analytical and organizational skills generally acquired through
completion of a bachelor’s degree program.
• Work generally requires 4+ years of relevant grants and contracts experience within Higher Education.
• Ability to maintain and manage accounting records of moderate variety and complexity, including
preparation of financial reports.
• Must be an experienced user with Microsoft Word and Excel; experience with advanced database
management and/or process management software databases a plus.
 

Certificates, Licenses or Registrations:
Research or grants education and/or certification are highly valued.

          Other Competencies (skills, abilities, behavior)
Must have a philosophy that is consistent with the Mission, Vision, and Core Values of the organization. Vision,
commitment, and experience in achieving goals and pursuing excellence is critical. Strong oral and written
presentation skills. Ability to work well independently and as a member of a team. Excellence in organization,
decision-making, problem-solving and creating a collaborative environment. Ability to manage multiple projects
simultaneously. Must be able to read, write and speak fluently in English.

          Physical Demands
Ability to sit or stand for up to 8 hours/day. Some lifting (up to 25 pounds occasionally), bending, and carrying.
The employee is regularly required to talk and hear, and to use hands and fingers to handle or feel.

Qualifications