Contracts and Subcontracts Administrator (ARL)

The Pennsylvania State University; Ferguson Township (PA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 132,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

75% tuition discount

Excellent retirement plans

Job summary

Penn State Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) is seeking an experienced Contracts and Subcontracts Administrator to join the Contracts Department in State College, PA. The role supports US Government customers and DoD-related contracting activities within ARL and the university framework.

The candidate will negotiate terms, prepare agreements, advise on grant management, and coordinate with PIs and sponsors while ensuring compliance and budgeting integrity across ARL programs.

Qualifications

• Negotiation and administration of various government sponsored research agreements.
• Proposal preparation processes, including agreements (both financial and non-financial).
• Working knowledge of Federal Acquisition Regulation Contract term negotiation processes.
• Microsoft Office proficiency.
• Strong communication and organizational skills in an office environment.
• Experience collaborating in multi-disciplinary, team-oriented settings.

Responsibilities

• Administer, review, and negotiate award terms and post-award administration with administrators, subcontractors, and PIs.
• Prepare, review, and process financial and non-financial agreements with PIs and staff.
• Provide guidance to staff and faculty on grant and contract management.
• Respond to sponsors, PIs, Office Business Manager, and others regarding reports, terms, budgets, and invoicing.
• Review budgets and budget justifications and advise on item appropriateness.

Skills

Govt contracts

Proposal prep

FAR familiarity

Communication skills

Collaboration

Experience: govt contracting

CPFF contracting

DoD/IC contracting

Top Secret eligibility

Education

Bachelor's Degree

6+ years relevant experience

3+ years relevant experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

POSITION SPECIFICS

We are searching for an experienced Contracts and Subcontracts Administrator to join our Contracts Department at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State University. In this role, you will be part of a team that provides support to U.S. Government customers. ARL Business Services enables and facilitates the research, scholarship, and creative endeavors of ARL by providing efficient and high-quality contracting, purchasing, accounting, and related capabilities to all ARL programs. ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.

• Administer, review, and negotiate award terms and conditions associated with proposal solicitations (e.g., Request for Proposal) processes, and manage the post-award administration, working with other administrators, subcontractors, and Principal Investigators (PIs) to ensure ARL, University, and federal policies are followed, monitoring for compliance
• Prepare, review, and process financial and non-financial agreements, collaborating with PIs and others, in accordance with ARL Standard Operating Procedures and University policy
• Provide guidance and advise staff and faculty on all aspects of grant and contract management
• Respond to and consult with sponsors, PIs, Office Business Manager, and other departments throughout ARL and the University regarding reports, special terms and conditions, budgetary issues, and invoicing of sponsored programs
• Review budgets and budget justifications, and provide input to PIs and other staff and faculty on appropriateness of budgeted items

Required skills/experience areas include:

• Negotiation and administration of various government sponsored research agreements
• Proposal preparation processes, including agreements (both financial and non-financial)
• Working knowledge of Federal Acquisition Regulation Contract term negotiation processes
• Microsoft Office
• Success in an office environment, where various forms of communication and organizational skills were crucial to be effective
• Previous success with collaborations in a multi-disciplinary, team-oriented, culture

Preferred skills/experience areas include:

• Eight or more years of related experience in government contracting or sponsored research, preferably in an academic setting
• DoD research and development contracting on a CPFF basis
• DoD or IC contracting experience
• Current eligibility for access to classified information at the Top Secret level or higher and may be subject to a government background investigation to upgrade clearance eligibility, if required

Minimum Education, Work Experience & Required Certifications

If filled as Contracts and Subcontracts Administrator (ARL) - Senior Professional, this position requires:

• Bachelor's Degree
• 6+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted
• Required Certifications: None

If filled as Contracts and Subcontracts Administrator (ARL) - Advanced Professional, this position requires:

• Bachelor's Degree
• 3+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted
• Required Certifications: None

Your working location will be fully on-site, located in State College, PA. Questions related to flexible work should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process.

Background Checks/Clearances

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies. Notice regarding employment at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL): Employees must be eligible to obtain a government security clearance, participate in the ARL drug testing program, and comply with electronic and physical monitoring requirements applicable to federal contractors. ARL operates in a secure information environment involving Unclassified, Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), and Classified information. Personal electronic devices brought onsite must be registered and may be restricted from certain areas. You must be a U.S. citizen to apply.

Salary & Benefits

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $75,408.00 - $132,204.00.

• In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time.
• One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children.

For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.

ARL’s purpose is to research and develop innovative solutions to challenging scientific, engineering, and technology problems in support of the Navy, the Department of Defense (DoD), and the Intel Community (IC).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION on ARL, visit our web site at www.arl.psu.edu.

Campus Security Crime Statistics

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

Our values are as follows; Integrity, Respect, Responsibility, Discovery, Excellence, and Community. We Are Penn State. One Community. Impacting Many.