GRANTS SPECIALIST I

UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences; Athens (GA); On-site; USD 46,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Georgia in Athens is seeking a Grants Specialist I to manage pre-award activities within the Sponsored Projects Administration. You will review, negotiate, and process grant proposals, projects, and amendments while assisting faculty and staff in navigating sponsor requirements.

As part of SPA, you will maintain a caseload across departments, ensure compliance with guidelines, and communicate clearly with principal investigators and collaborators to advance scholarly funding and

Qualifications

• Foundational knowledge of institutional policies and procedures for external funding and finance.
• Awareness of standard methods for proposal preparation, coordination, submission, and implementation.
• Establish and maintain relationships with university personnel, agencies, and sponsors on complex matters.
• Assist in evaluating and updating OSP policies and procedures.
• Communicate effectively with PIs and university staff about research administration topics.
• Work under varying supervision in a deadline-driven environment.
• Demonstrate strong customer service and ability to manage a caseload.

Responsibilities

• Reviews and processes grant awards, cooperative agreements, and MOUs for sponsors; negotiates changes on behalf of UGA.
• Manages awards from setup to close-out, including modifications.
• Ensures compliance with federal, state, and university regulations and budget accuracy.
• Interprets agency requirements and advises faculty and staff accordingly.
• Negotiates and authorizes agreements; may defer to Legal Affairs on some issues.
• Acts as liaison between funding agencies and faculty on complex questions.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Skills

Policy knowledge

Proposal coordination

Stakeholder communication

Policy evaluation

Written communication

Deadline management

Customer service

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent

Job description

Posting Number S15825P Working Title GRANTS SPECIALIST I Department VPR-SPA Pre-Award

About the University of Georgia

Chartered by the state of Georgia in 1785, the University of Georgia is the birthplace of public higher education in America and is the state’s flagship university (https://www.uga.edu/). The proof is in our more than 240 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University’s main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University’s enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly established School of Medicine.

About the College/Unit/Department

Posting Type External Retirement Plan TRS or ORP Employment Type Employee Benefits Eligibility Benefits Eligible Full/Part time Full Time Work Schedule Additional Schedule Information

Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Advertised Salary Commensurate with Experience Posting Date 09/28/2026 Open until filled Yes Closing Date Proposed Starting Date 11/01/2026

Location of Vacancy Athens Area

EEO Policy Statement

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR ([e-mail]).

USG Core Values Statement

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning, as well the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 08.02.18.01.02. Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 06.05 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom.

Position Information

Classification Title University Grants Pro I FLSA Exempt FTE 1.00 Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent

Preferred Qualifications Position Summary

Sponsored Projects Administration, Pre-Award is the central pre-award or sponsored projects office at the University of Georgia. The office manages a portfolio of approximately 2,500 awards annually, totaling more than $200 million. Work is considered highly professional and technical, involving the review and processing of research and other types of grant proposals, negotiation of awards and contracts, and a variety of post-award non-financial administrative duties (no-cost extensions, amendments, compliances, problem-solving, etc.). The incumbent will join several other research administrators in SPA and maintain a caseload of proposals and awards with a focus on awards spanning a group of departments, colleges, centers, or institutes at UGA. Highly professional customer service drives all activities in SPA. The employee will review, negotiate, and process awards and modifications while providing assistance to faculty, staff, and graduate students. The employee will independently negotiate awards and modifications as needed and will possess signatory authority to bind the University to agreement terms and conditions.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities And/or Competencies

• Foundational level of knowledge of institutional policies and procedures pertaining to external funding and finance and administration.
• Awareness of the standard methods and procedures used in proposal preparation, coordination, submission, and implementation.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with university personnel, state, and federal agencies and private organizations on complex matters.
• Participate in the evaluation and analysis of OSP policies and procedures, and to assist in devising new institutional policies.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, directly with PIs and other UGA personnel about a limited array of research administration topics.
• Work under varying levels of supervision in a deadline oriented environment.
• Strong commitment to excellent customer service, and the ability to multitask and manage a caseload from a variety of sponsors.

Physical Demands

Sitting at computer for long periods of time.

Position Responsibilities

• Is driving a responsibility of this position? No
• Is this a Position of Trust? No
• Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources? No
• Does this position require a P-Card? No
• Is having a P-Card an essential function of this position? No
• Does this position have direct interaction or care of children under the age of 18 or direct patient care? No
• Does this position have Security Access (e.g., public safety, IT security, personnel records, patient records, or access to chemicals and medications) No

Credit and P-Card policy

Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website.

Background Investigation Policy

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the UGA Background Check website.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Reviews and processes grant awards, cooperative agreements, and MOU's from state, private, non-profit, and federal sponsors; and negotiates changes when needed on behalf of UGA and UGARF.
• Percentage of time 20
• Manages awards from set up through to project close-out, including negotiating and requesting modifications when necessary.
• Percentage of time 20
• Assures compliance with agency guidelines and all applicable federal, state, and university regulations, such as animal and human subject use, debarment and suspension, drug-free workplace. Ensures accuracy of proposal budget including indirect costs and subcontracts’ adherence to internal legal considerations.
• Percentage of time 20
• Assists faculty and staff by interpreting agency philosophy, policies, regulations and guidelines; interprets, clarifies, and documents diverse agency requirements, procedures, and policies.
• Percentage of time 15
• Negotiates and authorizes agreements on behalf of UGA or its research foundation. May defer to Legal Affairs on some issues.
• Percentage of time 15
• Serves as liaison between potential funding agencies and faculty regarding complex questions. Performs related work as assigned.
• Percentage of time 10