Grants and Contracts Specialist

Phase2 Technology; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 56,000 - 63,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Texas at Austin seeks a Grants and Contracts Specialist to administer research grants and contracts for Applied Research Laboratories. You will work with investigators to prepare proposals, track status, and ensure compliance with sponsor guidelines.

The role requires a bachelor's degree and 3+ years of experience in proposals/negotiations, strong writing and interpersonal skills, and proficiency in MS Office and Adobe Acrobat Pro. Extensive knowledge of FAR/DFARS is a plus.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business or public administration, social sciences, or a technical/scientific field.
• Three years of experience in preparation, processing, and submission of research proposals and contract negotiations.
• Ability to exercise sound decision making and problem-solving during proposal preparation and award administration.
• Excellent interpersonal communication and writing skills.
• Proficiency in spreadsheet and word processing applications (MS Office Suite and Adobe Acrobat Pro).
• Ability to interact professionally under time-sensitive conditions; work independently or as part of a team.
• Attention to detail and ability to follow established guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Work with principal investigators to develop and submit proposals for federal grants and research contracts.
• Compile, maintain, track and disseminate status information and act as liaison with internal/external contacts.
• Prepare and review cost estimates to meet university accounting requirements.
• Administer awards, provisions, deliverables, and close out requirements for research and non-funding agreements.
• Prepare documents required to administer research agreements and assist with data accuracy and compliance.
• Review/negotiate terms for DOD, Federal, State and other contracts; knowledge of FAR/DFARS, Uniform Guidance.

Skills

Interpersonal communication

Written communication

Decision making

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in business/public administration/social sciences/technical field

Tools

MS Office Suite

Adobe Acrobat Pro

Job description

Grants and Contracts Specialist

Hiring Department

Applied Research Laboratories

Position Open To

All Applicants

Weekly Scheduled Hours

40

FLSA Status

Exempt from FLSA

Earliest Start Date

Immediately

Position Duration

Expected to Continue

Location

PICKLE RESEARCH CAMPUS

Job Details

Purpose

Administer grants and contracts for Applied Research for Applied Research Laboratories.

Responsibilities

• Work with principal investigators and research staff to develop and submit proposals for funding of federal grants and research contracts meeting sponsor guidelines and timeframes.

• Compile, maintain, track and disseminate status information and other research administration data, and act as a liaison with internal/external contacts. Ensure the award requirements are accurately documented and communicated to relevant lab personnel.

• Prepare and review cost estimates to meet university accounting requirements.

• Administer awards, provisions, deliverables, and close out requirements for research and non-funding agreements of all levels of complexity processed by the Contracts office.

• Prepare clauses, reports, agreements, training materials, tools, checklists, and other documentation or correspondence required to administer research agreements. Assist with review of documents/spreadsheets/data for accuracy and compliance with relevant regulations.

• Review/negotiate terms for DOD, Federal, State and other contracts/agreements at all levels of complexity. Acquire/maintain knowledge of FAR/DFARS, Uniform Guidance and other Federal regulations to support Contract office functions.

• Other related functions and special projects, as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business or public administration, social sciences, or a technical/scientific field.

• Three years of experience in the preparation, processing, and submission of research proposals to a variety of sponsoring organizations; negotiation of contract terms/conditions.

• Ability to exercise sound decision making and problem-solving skills during proposal preparation, contract negotiation, and award administration.

• Excellent interpersonal communication and writing skills.

• High level of proficiency in spreadsheet and word processing applications (MS Office Suite and Adobe Acrobat Pro).

• Demonstrated experience and ability to interact tactfully and professionally with various groups of people under stressful and time-sensitive conditions; accept supervision and feedback; and work both independently and as a team member.

• Demonstrated experience and ability for accuracy, attention to detail, and ability to follow established guidelines and office protocol are critical.

• Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Federally funded grants and/or research contracts

• Current security clearance or ability to obtain a security clearance

• Advanced skills with Microsoft Excel

• Proficiency in business writing

• Experience with Federal acquisitions and contracting

• Familiarity with Federal Acquisitions Regulations (FAR), Defense Federal Acquisitions Regulations Supplement (DFARS), and Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200)

• Certified Research Administrator

Salary Range

$56,000-$63,000+/negotiable depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

• Standard office conditions

• Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation

• Use of manual dexterity

• Possible weekend, evening and holiday work

• Possible interstate/intrastate travel

Required Materials

• Resume/CV

• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor

• Letter of interest

Employment Eligibility

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

Retirement Plan Eligibility

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

Background Checks

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer,complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Pay Transparency

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information.

Employment Eligibility Verification

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

E-Verify

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university's company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:

• E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

Compliance

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.