Grants and Contracts Specialist
University of Connecticut (UConn)
JOB SUMMARY
The Office of Research and Scholarship (ORS) at the University of Connecticut School of Social Work (SSW) is seeking an energetic career-minded contract administration professional to join our growing grants administration team. ORS is responsible for administering a portfolio of $66M in external funding at UConn SSW. Located in the heart of downtown Hartford, the SSW is part of a top-ranked public research university and land grant institution.
Reporting to the SSW Associate Dean for Research, the Grants & Contracts Specialist will be responsible for providing day-to-day management and oversight over a high volume of post-award financial activity. Specifically, this position will be responsible for reviewing, negotiating, coordinating, and processing the financial aspects of grants, contracts, and subcontracts in support of the University’s sponsored program activity. This position may also facilitate grant opportunities and proposal submissions in collaboration with principal investigators and department and university partners. This position will serve as a liaison between faculty, grant sponsors and the Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR).
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
+ Serves as a primary liaison between faculty and staff at the School of Social Work, and various service units within OVPR, such as IRB, Sponsored Program Services (SPS), etc., with issues pertaining to pre-award, post-award, and contractual issues.
+ Serves as primary resource for providing guidance and oversight on issues related to fiscal, administrative, and regulatory management of a portfolio of grants, contracts and sponsored programs from award receipt through closeout.
+ Serves as fiscal officer on most SSW grant and contract accounts.
+ Prepares and reviews monthly expense reports for PI’s using University accounting systems. Ensures that appropriate accounts are charged and/or credited for expenses in compliance with the terms of externally funded grants and contracts (post-award monitoring), provides regular updates to investigators on the status of those accounts, and prepares budget project reports.
+ Reviews financial and administrative transactions to ensure compliance with federal and state statutes, University policy, and sponsor guidelines and requirements.
+ Reviews and approves PI expenditure requests to ensure they are allowable and funds are available, consulting with SPS Pre- and Post-Award as needed.
+ Recommends solutions, assists with re-budgets, and assists with other changes when conflicts arise with contract provisions or grant requirements.
+ Coordinates with SPS Pre- and Post-Award to fulfill funders’ post-submission requests, such as Just-in-Time requests, RPPRs, fiscal and programmatic reporting, and award closeouts.
+ Provides communication, technical assistance, guidance, and advice to faculty and other professional staff with regard to applicable policies, statutes, regulations and procedures formulated by the University, state and federal government, granting agencies, and various private foundations and industries; maintains up-to-date reference file.
+ May participate in policy and procedure discussions and recommend department policy or procedural changes as appropriate to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
+ May participate in the development and delivery of internal training.
+ Supports in facilitating and managing internal funding mechanisms at SSW and the University.
+ Works closely with School of Social Work Finance and Administration staff to coordinate in the areas of Travel, Purchasing, Hiring, etc.
+ May assist with proposal submissions, including preparing budgets, budget justifications, scopes of work and all internal paperwork, as needed.
+ Other related duties as needed.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
+ Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate field and four years of relevant experience in a business organization or governmental agency involving accounting, budgeting and contracting.
+ Experience in post-award fiscal management (e.g., federal and state grants and contracts)
+ Working knowledge of budget/accounting spreadsheet software (e.g., Excel).
+ Experience creating proposal budgets and/or rebudgeting existing award budgets.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
+ Knowledge of Uniform Guidance and/or the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR).
+ Ability to interpret technical solicitation or contract language applicable to sponsored research and understand its implications.
+ Experience with electronic research administration systems (such as grants.gov, research.gov, NSPIRES, and eRA Commons).
+ Experience working in an institution of higher education.
+ Experience working in a high-volume, high-production, and/or sponsored-research-intensive environment.
+ Excellent organizational skills, including the ability to identify and resolve administrative problems.
+ Ability to effectively communicate both verbal and written thoughts, ideas, and facts. Writes and presents information in a clear and concise way.
APPOINTMENT TERMS
This position is a full-time, permanent position that is funded by the University of Connecticut, School of Social Work. This position is primarily based in the University of Connecticut School of Social Work on the Hartford Campus. This is a 12-month appointment. Compensation will range from $75,000 to $83,727 (full-time equivalent) depending on experience. A generous benefits package is provided that includes health, retirement, paid time off, and other benefits. For additional information regarding benefits visit: https://hr.uconn.edu/benefits-beyond-pay/.
Other rights, terms, and conditions of employment are contained in the collective bargaining agreement between the University of Connecticut and the University of Connecticut Professional Employees Association (UCPEA).
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.
TO APPLY
Please apply online at https://hr.uconn.edu/jobs, Staff Positions, Search # to upload a resume, cover letter, and contact information for three professional references.
Priority will be given to applications received by February 28, 2025. This job posting is scheduled to be removed at 11:55 PM Eastern time on March 15, 2025.
All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics which may be found at http://www.ct.gov/ethics/site/default.asp.
All members of the University of Connecticut are expected to exhibit appreciation of, and contribute to, an inclusive, respectful, and diverse environment for the University community.
The University of Connecticut aspires to create a community built on collaboration and belonging and has actively sought to create an inclusive culture within the workforce. The success of the University is dependent on the willingness of our diverse employee and student populations to share their rich perspectives and backgrounds in a respectful manner. This makes it essential for each member of our community to feel secure and welcomed and to thoroughly understand and believe that their ideas are respected by all. We strongly respect each individual employee’s unique experiences and perspectives and encourage all members of the community to do the same. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.
The University of Connecticut is an AA/EEO Employer.
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