Grants Specialist I

SDBOR; Vermillion (SD); Vor Ort; USD 70.000 - 110.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

The South Dakota Board of Regents seeks a proactive, self-driven professional to manage research development initiatives within a dynamic university setting in Vermillion, SD. You will help identify funding opportunities, support faculty in proposal planning, and lead workshops and outreach activities.

The role requires strong organizational skills, the ability to juggle multiple projects, and collaborative teamwork with faculty, staff, and university leadership.

Qualifikationen

• Self-driven, proactive professional in a fast-paced research environment.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines while working independently.
• Demonstrates initiative, ownership of projects from concept through completion.
• Experience in research development or proposal support is preferred.

Aufgaben

• Proactively identify funding opportunities aligning with faculty research interests and institutional priorities.
• Partner with faculty throughout proposal development, including planning, sponsor requirements, timelines, budgets, and documentation.
• Lead and co-lead workshops, presentations, and training on research development and sponsor requirements.
• Independently manage multiple proposals and projects, anticipating issues and keeping progress moving forward.
• Interpret RFPs and sponsor guidance, applying professional judgment to requirements.
• Coordinate proposal development, institutional review, and submission.
• Develop and analyze proposal budgets including costs, personnel, subawards, and expenses.
• Monitor approvals ensuring necessary reviews and signatures are completed.
• Serve as the primary contact between faculty and ORSP, providing guidance throughout the sponsored project lifecycle.
• Keep researchers informed of changes in regulations, sponsor policies, and submission requirements.

Kenntnisse

Initiative

Leadership

Project management

Communication

Jobbeschreibung

The ideal candidate will be a self-driven, proactive professional who thrives in a fast-paced research environment and demonstrates initiative, leadership, and ownership of projects from concept through completion. This position requires the ability to manage multiple priorities and competing deadlines, work independently, exercise sound professional judgment, solve problems, and build strong working relationships with faculty, staff, and University leadership.

A key component of this position is research development. The successful candidate will proactively engage with faculty and researchers to identify external funding opportunities, interpret sponsor priorities and requirements, assist with the development of competitive proposals, and help move research ideas toward submission. The individual will be expected to demonstrate initiative in leading projects, programs, and activities, initiate outreach, and lead or co-lead workshops, presentations, and training sessions for faculty and staff.

Primary responsibilities include:

• Proactively identify and communicate funding opportunities that align with faculty research interests and institutional priorities.
• Partner with faculty throughout the proposal development process, including proposal planning, interpretation of sponsor requirements, development of timelines, budgets, and supporting documentation.
• Lead and co-lead workshops, presentations, and training sessions related to research development, proposal preparation, funding opportunities, sponsor requirements, and research administration.
• Independently manage multiple proposals, projects, and competing deadlines while anticipating needs, identifying potential issues, and taking initiative to keep projects moving forward.
• Interpret requests for proposals (RFPs), funding announcements, and sponsor guidance and exercise professional judgment in determining applicable requirements.
• Coordinate proposal development, institutional review, approval, and submission.
• Develop and analyze proposal budgets, including direct and indirect costs, cost sharing, personnel, subawards, and other project expenses.
• Monitor proposal approvals to ensure required institutional reviews, certifications, and signatures are completed prior to submission.
• Serve as a primary point of contact between faculty and the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, providing responsive and consultative guidance throughout the sponsored project lifecycle.
• Proactively keep researchers informed of changes in federal regulations, sponsor policies, funding priorities, submission requirements, and institutional procedures.
• Facilitate communication among investigators, Vice Presidents, Deans, directors, department chairs, faculty, staff, collaborating institutions, and sponsors as appropriate.
• Coordinate award acceptance and assist with project administration, including review of award terms and conditions and identification of requirements requiring additional institutional review or approval.
• Review grant and contract documents for consistency with applicable federal and state requirements, University and Board of Regents policies, sponsor terms and conditions, and institutional procedures.
• Confirm that required representations, certifications, compliance approvals, and other institutional requirements are completed as appropriate.
• Track and communicate the status of pending proposals and other sponsored project activities to Principal Investigators and University stakeholders.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of ORSP processes, resources, training, and research development initiatives, including identifying opportunities to improve services and support for the University’s research community.

This position is well suited for an individual who demonstrates initiative, takes ownership of responsibilities, brings forward new ideas, and recognizes opportunities to lead and improve processes. The successful candidate will be adaptable, highly organized, collaborative, and able to work independently while contributing to a team-oriented environment.

Posting Date

Posting Date 11/06/2026

Closing Date

Open Until Filled Yes

First Consideration Date

First Consideration Date 11/23/2026

Advertised Salary

Advertised Salary Based on qualifications

Duration of the Term

Duration of the Term 12 months

Appointment Percent

Appointment Percent 100

Work Hours

8-5

Typical Hours Worked Per Week

Appointment Type

Appointment Type Regular

Scope of Search

Scope of Search External (includes Internal)

If internal, define scope of search

This position requires

This position requires Travel

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Department Description and Cultural Expectations

The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs ( ORSP ) works with a wide variety of constituencies across the University and manages a diverse portfolio of responsibilities, including research development, proposal submission, sponsored project administration, federal compliance, training and outreach, events, and communications.

ORSP is a collaborative, fast-paced environment where teamwork, initiative, and adaptability are essential. Team members are expected to be self-driven, manage multiple priorities, contribute ideas, and pitch in across functional areas to help accomplish departmental goals. Staff have opportunities to be creative, provide input into departmental processes and initiatives, and take ownership of projects from concept through completion.

The position also requires a willingness to take an active role in engaging the University research community, including leading and co-leading trainings, workshops, presentations, and outreach activities for faculty and staff. ORSP values individuals who are proactive, willing to learn and take on new challenges, recognize opportunities for improvement, and contribute to a supportive and team-oriented work environment.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

USD is committed to fostering a dynamic and welcoming working and learning environment for all. USD provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to ideological, political, or sectarian opinions or perspectives; or race, color, creed, religion, sex, ancestry, disability, national origin or any other factor protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. USD is committed to the principles of free expression and encourages the timely and rational discussion of topics in an environment that is intellectually and ideologically diverse.

Contact Information

Working Conditions

Cognitive Requirements

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Physical Requirements

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Desk Duty

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Supplemental Questions

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Documents Needed to Apply

Required Documents Optional Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Other
• Reference List

The South Dakota Board of Regents is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Board of Regents will take affirmative Action to ensure that all employment practices are free of discrimination. In addition, the Board of Regents fully supports incorporation of non-discrimination and affirmative action rules and regulations into all of its employment practices. Arrangements for accommodations required by disabilities can be made by contacting the appropriate Human Resources office. Please see the Contact Us section of this webpage for more information.

Notice to all applicants: If you are selected as a finalist, job references and a background check may be conducted.

South Dakota Board of Regents
306 E. Capital Ave, Suite 200
Pierre, SD 57501
605-773-3455