Pre-Award Specialist, Graduate Studies and Research

California State University, Chico; San Marcos (CA); Hybrid; USD 66,000 - 104,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Retirement (CalPERS)

Tuition Waiver

Vacation & Sick Leave

15 paid holidays

Hybrid work schedule

Job summary

California State University San Marcos is seeking a Pre-Award Specialist in Graduate Studies and Research. This full-time exempt position in Grants and Contracts Development will support proposal development, interpret sponsor guidance, prepare budgets, complete forms, assemble applications, and monitor internal approvals and compliance items.

The role offers a hybrid schedule and potential for permanent status after probation.

Qualifications

• Responsibilities include interpreting sponsor guidance, preparing budgets, completing forms, assembling applications, and monitoring internal approvals and compliance items.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate proposal development with faculty and staff PI/PDs.
• Interpret sponsor guidance and ensure compliance items are addressed.
• Prepare budgets, complete forms, assemble applications, and monitor approvals.

Job description

Pre-Award Specialist, Graduate Studies and Research

Job no: 561374
Work type: Staff
Location: San Marcos
Categories: Unit 9 - CSUEU - Technical Support Services, Administrative, Probationary, Full Time, Telecommute eligible (work onsite as scheduled and/or as requested and telecommute as scheduled)

Grants and Contracts Development is the central office responsible for supporting faculty and staff principal investigators/project directors to submit proposals to external sponsors, particularly federal, state and local agencies. The Pre-Award Specialist facilitates the proposal development process with faculty and staff principal investigators/project directors including interpreting sponsor guidance, preparing budgets, completing forms, assembling applications, and monitoring internal approvals and compliance items. With proficiency in federal regulations, knowledge of the federal funding landscape, and awareness of institutional policies and procedures, the Pre-Award Specialist shares knowledge and guides proposal teams, leading to compliant and competitive submissions.

Position Summary

Pre-Award Specialist (Research and Sponsored Programs Administration Professional II or III)

This is a full-time, exemptposition, which will lead toward permanent status following the successful completion of a probationary period.

For a complete list of responsibilities and required qualifications, please review the position description linked at the top of the page. We are hiring for one position, however the level can be dependent on the finalist meeting the minimum qualifications. Both levels are combined in the attachment for your review.

Pay, Benefits, and Work Schedule

Level II Anticipated Hiring Salary Range: $6,031 - $6,400 per month

Level II CSU Classification Salary Range: $5,797 - $8,445 per month

Level III Anticipated Hiring Salary Range: $$6,510 - $6,908 per month

Level III CSU Classification Salary Range: $6,382 - $9,297 per month

Salary is commensurate with the background and experience of the individual selected.

This position is eligible for a broad range of benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurances, retirement (CalPERS), tuition waiver, vacation and sick leave. In addition, 15 paid holidays are offered each year; 14 scheduled on specific days and a Personal Holiday that may be taken any time during the year.

This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule.

California State University San Marcos

A mid-size university located in San Diego's vibrant North County, we are dedicated to service, innovation, leadership and student success. We have an attentive faculty and state-of-the-art facilities which offer our students hundreds of opportunities to learn, lead, play and serve.

California State University San Marcos is a new kind of university, pushing the boundaries of innovation to prepare tomorrow's leaders, build stronger communities and solve pressing issues.

Cutting-edge research meets hands-on application at our campus and in the real world.

Applicants who require an accommodation during the application or testing process due to a disability recognized under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)/CA Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) should notify the Office of Human Resources at [phone] or e-mail: [e-mail] .

Supplemental Information

Following a conditional offer of employment, satisfactory completion of a background check (including criminal records check) is required prior to beginning employment. Any offer of employmentrescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

This position is a "designated position" in the California State University's Conflict of Interest Code. The incumbent in this position is required to file Conflict of Interest forms subject to the regulations of the Fair Political Practices Commission.

California State University San Marcos is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to age, physical or mental disability, gender or sex, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion or religious creed, sexual orientation, and veteran or military status.

Pursuant to the CSU Out-of-State Employment Policy, as of January 1, 2022, the California State University is prohibited from hiring employees to perform CSU-related work outside the state of California.

Subject to Education Code 89521, applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant's current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.

California State University San Marcos is not a sponsoring agent for staff or management positions (i.e. H1-B visas).

Advertised: Aug 24 2026 Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close: