Contract and Grants Specialist

Job Description

Overview

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System is seeking candidates for the position of Contracts and Grants Specialist. The individual in this position provides high level professional and technical support to the Contracts and Grants Manager and ACES employees for extramural projects including proposal development assistance, review and approval, award review, accounting, and contract and grant management.

This position is a full-time, in-person role working on campus at Auburn University.

Formal AU title: Contracts and Grants Specialist I, II, III

EXTENSION:

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System is the outreach organization for the land grant mission of Auburn University and Alabama A&M University. Its educational programs grow from these two land grant university campuses to serve the people of Alabama. Science-based educational programs are delivered that enable people to improve their quality of life and economic well-being. Information and programs are available online or in person through all 67 County Extension Offices and at teaching sites throughout Alabama communities. For more information, please see https://www.aces.edu/.

Reasons you’ll love being a part of the team at ACES – Auburn:

• Job Satisfaction! Be a part of life-changing work in your community!
• Excellent full-time benefits that start on Day 1!
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance options!
• Work/life balance!
  • 4 weeks of vacation accrued each year.
  • 96 hours of sick leave accrued annually.
  • 7 paid holidays in addition to 2 weeks of paid leave during Christmas/New Years when the University closes.
  • 6 weeks of paid parental leave for the birth or adoption of a child (available for BOTH moms & dads).
• AU tuition assistance for you and your dependents after a year of service.
• Generous state retirement plan along with other voluntary retirement plan options and benefits.
• Fun, flexible & diverse work environment. Every day is different!
• Supportive leadership & peers. The ACES team supports you and your work!

Responsibilities

• Assists the Contracts and Grants Manager and Extension teams with developing and submitting grant proposals from various funding sources.
• Manages and assists with pre-award requirements such as budgets, justifications, extensions, contracts, and other required documentation throughout the grant process.
• Supports and collaborates with other departments to ensure grants and contracts are properly executed and financial accounts are established.
• Serves as liaison between ACES employees and sponsors to advise and/or assist with proposals, ensuring all requirements, policies, and compliance standards are met.
• Assists with communication and training efforts related to grant development, including creating materials, organizing events, and supporting staff capacity building. This could include some travel to a variety of Extension events.
• Supports proposal development and award management processes within institutional systems and ensure adherence to agency requirements and procedures.
• Provides proposal review and submission assistance for outgoing proposals, ensuring compliance with all federal, state, local, university, and private regulations while adhering to deadlines with rapid turnaround times.
• Coordinates with accounting staff to monitor grant expenditures and ensure spending complies with sponsor and university guidelines.
• Assists ACES staff with additional proposal support, ensuring all required documents are complete, formatted correctly, and uploaded properly in submission systems.

Qualifications

Level I: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Management, Finance, Accounting or related field with no experience.

Level II: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Management, Finance, Accounting or related field AND 2 years of experience in the management of contracts and grants in a team environment; Experience must include at least 2 years at the preceding level or equivalent.

Level III: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Management, Finance, Accounting or related field AND 4 years of experience in the management of contracts and grants; Experience must include at least 2 years at the preceding level or equivalent.

Substitutions allowed for Education:

Experience may be accepted in lieu of education.

Substitutions allowed for Experience:

Higher graduate degrees may be accepted in lieu of experience.

Contract Type

Continuing

Why Work at Auburn?

• Life-Changing Impact: Our work changes lives through research, instruction, and outreach, making a lasting impact on our students, our communities, and the world.
• Culture of Excellence: We are committed to leveraging our strengths, resources, collaboration, and innovation as a top employer in higher education.
• We’re Here for You: Auburn offers generous benefits, educational opportunities, and a culture of support and work/life balance.
• Sweet Home Alabama: The Auburn/Opelika area offers southern charm, vibrant downtown scenes, top-ranked schools, and easy access to Atlanta, Birmingham, and the Gulf of Mexico beaches.
• A Place for Everyone: Auburn is committed to fostering an environment where all faculty, staff, and students are welcomed, valued, respected, and engaged.
• Ready to lead and shape the future of higher education? Apply today! War Eagle!

Equal Opportunity Compliance Statement

It is our policy to provide equal employment and education opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other classification protected by applicable law. Please visit the Office of Equal Opportunity Compliance's website to learn more.