Grants and Contracts Officer

Job Summary

The position of Grant and Contract Officer assist principal investigators, project managers and faculty members by providing knowledge and expertise on proposal and budget preparation, contract and subcontracting negotiations, rules and regulations of state, federal and other sponsoring agencies. The position also serves as a continuing source of information concerning funding opportunities and as a liaison between investigators, administrators and the agency officials.

Responsibilities

Job Duty #1 - 35
Ensure proposals meet sponsor and institutional requirements before submission to Pre-Award leadership for final review
Assist principal investigators (PIs), project managers, etc in preparing budgets; review of sponsor guidelines to ensure consistency and compliance; and administrative components of proposals.
Review cost-sharing commitments and institutional approvals.
Submit proposals through sponsor portals (e.g., Grants.gov, NSF research.gov, NIH eRA Commons).

Job Duty 6 - 20
Update proposal details (e.g., sponsor, award amount, project period, PI information) in database within two days after submission
Track all proposals within assigned portfolio against the database for accuracy, including moving through workflow in a timely manner and verifying current status of Pending proposals.
Ensure sponsor-mandated reports (e.g., progress reports, final technical reports), prior approvals, NCEs, pre-award negotiations, and all other documentation is in the grant file.
Perform regular self-audits of portfolio projects and data validation to correct errors or inconsistencies in grant records.

Job Duty #2 - 15
Review and negotiate award terms and conditions with sponsors (federal, state, industry, and foundations), to include 'just in time' type of requests.
Ensure compliance with institutional policies, sponsor regulations (e.g., 2 CFR 200 for federal awards), and legal requirements.
Facilitate execution of award agreements and subawards.

Job Duty #3 - 20
Review prior approval requests (e.g., changes in scope of work, PI effort changes, key personnel modifications).
Coordinate progress reports submission to sponsors.
Ensure timely completion of milestones and deliverables per the grant agreement.
Assist with final project closeout requirements (e.g., invention disclosures, equipment disposition).
Assist with PI transfers (e.g., transferring awards to/from another institution).
Acting as a liaison between PIs, department administrators, and sponsors on non-financial matters
Providing guidance on sponsor policy updates and institutional best practices.

Job Duty #4 - 10
Provide one-on-one training for faculty and staff on proposal development, compliance, and award management.
Keep the research community of your assigned portfolio informed of changes in federal and sponsor policies.
Participate in institutional, regional, and national workshops and/or webinars on research administration to stay current on rules and regulations and to maintain knowledge of emerging issues

Job Duty 5 - 5
Other duties as Assigned

Required Qualifications

Educational Requirements
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum of two years of experience
OR
Associate degree from an accredited college or university with at least five years of related experience.

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Educational Qualifications
Master's degree from an accredited college or university in business administration or a biomedical area or an equivalent combination of education and work experience

Preferred Experience
Experience in preparation/review of biomedical proposals; administration of awarded programs including close-out; knowledge of the implementation of federal regulations governing research or related matters at a not-profit educational institution.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

ABILITIES
Abilities:
1. Work Independently and with Minimal Supervision
2. Follow Instructions and Procedures
3. Multi-Task and Manage Time Effectively
4. Handle Confidential and Sensitive Information
5. Learn and Apply New Concepts Quickly
6. Analyze Information and Make Sound Decisions
7. Work in a Fast-Paced Environment

KNOWLEDGE
Knowledge:
1. General Office Procedures and Practices
2. Basic Computer and Software Knowledge
3. Customer Service Principles
4. Industry-Specific Regulations and Policies
5. Organizational Policies and Procedures
6. Time Management and Prioritization

SKILLS
Skills:
1. Verbal and Written Communication
2. Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking
3. Attention to Detail
4. Teamwork and Collaboration
5. Adaptability and Flexibility
6. Data Entry and Record-Keeping
7. Technical and Analytical Skills
8. Interpersonal Skills