Grants Administrator

SC State Public Service & Agriculture; Orangeburg (SC); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

SC State University Public Service & Agriculture in Orangeburg, SC seeks a Grants Administrator to provide administrative, financial and technical direction to faculty and staff applying for external grants and to ensure compliance with sponsor and university policies.

Under the Compliance/Grants Management Director, the role oversees proposal planning, budget monitoring, reporting, and interaction with funding agencies, while training staff on fiscal and regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business administration or related field and experience in contracts and grant administration.
• Master's degree preferred with 5+ years overseeing contract and grant administration activities, including federal and non-federal awards.
• Knowledge of agency policies and Regulations pertaining to contractual and grant activities, and ability to review complex grants and contracts.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and ability to manage multiple deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Identify grant opportunities and disseminate information to staff; coordinate proposal planning and awards documentation.
• Monitor expenditures to ensure proper charges and reimbursements within budgets and terms; oversee subrecipients.
• Prepare monthly grant status reports; liaise with funding agencies; negotiate terms and prepare financial projections.
• Stay current on federal research and compliance requirements; attend trainings and present information at workshops.
• Composes correspondence and produces reports, mailings, and other written materials.

Skills

Grant administration

Budget management

Financial reporting

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in business administration

Master's degree preferred

Job description

Company Description:

SC State University Public Service & Agriculture is dedicated to innovating and educating to elevate the quality of life and raise the standard of living for all South Carolinians. The organization focuses on community-centered programs, research, and outreach that address critical issues in agriculture, public service, and rural development. Team members contribute to initiatives that support economic growth, food security, and sustainable practices across the state. Working here offers the opportunity to collaborate with diverse stakeholders, including faculty, students, community partners, and government agencies, to drive meaningful impact.

Job Summary:

Under the supervision of the Compliance/Grants Management Director, the

employee will be responsible for providing administrative, financial and technical direction to

faculty and staff applying or interested in applying for external grants as well as enforcing and

complying with all sponsor and University policies and procedures applicable to managing

federal and non-federal sponsored awards.

Job Functions/Duties/Responsibilities:

• Identifies potential grant funding opportunities, disseminates information to staff in a timely manner, and coordinates the proposal planning process. Coordinates receipt of awards and supporting documentation, maintains proposal records and prepares reports for management as it relates to external funding.
• Monitors sponsored award expenditures to ensure expenses are properly charged and reimbursed in accordance with award terms and conditions and within budget limits and timelines. Manages oversight of subrecipients, including ongoing monitoring of spending and of special terms and conditions.
• Prepares monthly reports on grant funding status. Serves as primary liaison with funding agencies; negotiates final grant and contract terms in consultation with appropriate agency authorities; prepares financial projection reports to analyze spending trends. Communicates with principal investigator(s) about budget projections. Reviews and approves payments, including vendor invoices and individual reimbursements.
• Reviews current and pending legislative changes to stay current on federal research and compliance requirements. Attends training, meetings, workshops and conferences to stay abreast of current financial developments. Assists in developing and presenting information at workshops and trainings. Conducts training and workshops on financial and budgetary matters.
• Composes correspondence in response to general inquiries. Produces reports, mailings, correspondence, or other written materials.

Required Skills/Abilities:

The individual must demonstrate knowledge of the Land-Grant

University System and history, philosophy, organization and objects of Research & Extension. They must have a willingness to adapt to frequent changes in environment, people and processes. They must possess a working knowledge of research compliance policies and federal grant

regulations, including Uniform Guidance and USDA-NIFA Policy Guide.

The individual must also demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, and to prioritize responsibilities and manage varied commitments and deadlines. The individual must have knowledge of agency policies and regulations pertaining to contractual and grant activities, and the ability to review and assess complex grants and contracts.

Education and Experience:

The requirements for the position include a bachelor's degree in business administration, accounting, public administration, or a related field, and experience in contracts and grant administration. The preferred requirement is a master's degree and 5 or more years of experience overseeing contract and grant administration activities, including both federal and non-federal awards.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

The individual is expected to be self-directed, exercise a high degree of judgment, work independently with minimal supervision, and handle complex, confidential information. Must be able to relate to culturally diverse employees and their constituents.

A valid driver's license and daily access to an operable vehicle that meets the SC Department of Highways and Public Safety Road laws and regulations are required.

Travel Requirements:

Overnight in-state and out-of-state travel is required for the position. Work may extend beyond the normal business day and/or occur on weekends.

Application Requirements/Special Instructions:

This position is federally funded by the Farm Bill (Agriculture Improvement Act) Section 1444, Agricultural Extension Activities at 1890 Land-Grant Institutions / Section 1445, Agricultural Research Activities at 1890 Land Grant Institutions.

The individual will be housed in the R. L. Hurst Building located in Orangeburg, SC.

The individual must be able to perform duties on their own initiative with minimal supervision. The employee must be able to exercise good judgment in decision-making, maintain good working relationships with others, and be highly dependable in planning, implementing, and reporting activities. The individual must be able to relate to diverse disadvantaged rural/urban people as well as professionals. A valid driver's license is required.