Grants & Contracts Specialist

The Grants & Contracts Specialist coordinates with teams within the department to monitor the award life cycle. This position conducts final review of grant/contract applications and submissions, manages the acceptance and negotiation of grants, award analyses and account set up and serves as official liaison to communicate with sponsors on behalf of the organization. The Grants & Contracts Specialist works closely with the Lead Grants & Contracts Specialist in the performance of duties and responsibilities. The Grants & Contracts Specialist coordinates with teams within the department to monitor the award life cycle. This position conducts final review of grant/contract applications and submissions, manages the acceptance and negotiation of grants, award analyses and account set up and serves as official liaison to communicate with sponsors on behalf of the organization. The Grants & Contracts Specialist works closely with the Lead Grants & Contracts Specialist in the performance of duties and responsibilities.

Minimum Education

Bachelor's Degree Business, health care, public administration or a related field.

Minimum Work Experience

1 year of progressive experience in grants or contracts related to biomedical research, and/or healthcare/medical programs and services. (Preferred)

Experience working in central or department administration, office of sponsored programs, office of research administration, university or medical center setting or federal grant-making agency. (Preferred)

Willingness to become Certified Research Administrator (CRA) within 3 years. (Preferred)

Working knowledge of NIH Grants Policy Statement (12/03), FAR and DFAR clauses, OMB Circulars A-110, A122 and A-133 in addition to 45 CFR Part 74, Appendix E.

Perform basic algebraic equations and statistics (average).

Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Strong computer skills.

Comfort using a PC and associated hardware/software in a professional setting.

Strong skills in using MS Office, especially Word and Excel; MS Access, Powerpoint and HBOC Trendstar are a plus.

Ability to use formatting commands and higher-level commands and functions are a plus.

Ability to thrive in an office environment in central or department administration, the Office of Sponsored Programs, the Office of Research Administration, a university or medical center setting or a federal grantmaking agency.

Functional Accountabilities

Responsible Conduct of Research

• Consistently demonstrates adherence to the standards for the responsible conduct of research.
• Plans, conducts and manages research projects within federal and institutional regulations and policies under the direction of the principal investigator.
• Uses research funds and resources appropriately.
• Maintains confidentiality of data as required.
• Meets all annual job-related training and compliance requirements.

Pre-Award Services

• Ensures budget expenses are allowable, allocable and reasonable for the specific project and overall proposal.
• Provides official review and approval of final proposal provided by the financial coordinator to ensure completion, accuracy and compliance before application is submitted.
• Authorizes submission of paper and electronic proposal and forwards documents to signature official (SO) for signature.
• Monitors grant and contract award status (active vs. expired) for accuracy, completeness and compliance.
• Updates department information systems and official records to keep information accurate, complete and up to date at all times.
• Adheres to office policies, procedures, guidelines and business processes to ensure compliance with organizational, sponsor and federal regulations.
• Responds to general inquiries and provides technical assistance within scope of work.

Post-Award Services

• Reviews official award notice and negotiates terms and conditions prior to award acceptance.
• Reviews final notice of award and completes appropriate documentation to establish account.
• Assesses award relationships and prepares the appropriate contract mechanism, such as federal subaward, services agreement, consulting agreement or business associate agreement.
• Manages official review and submission of the scientific progress report, JIT requests, closeout reports and other similar requests.
• Prepares official correspondence with the sponsor/funding agency, such as no-cost extension, supplemental requests, change of grantee application, etc.
• Serves as official liaison between organization and department on behalf of principal investigator/ program director.