Specialist, Grants & Contracts (CELS)

University of Rhode Island; Kingston (RI); Hybrid; USD 50,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Rhode Island, located in Kingston, RI, seeks a Specialist, Grants & Contracts (CELS) to coordinate research support operations, provide post-award assistance, and produce financial reporting for sponsored programs. This professional staff role collaborates with Deans, Directors, faculty, and business managers to ensure compliance and accurate budgeting.

Posting indicates an anticipated salary range of $50,000 - $55,000 and a pathway to remote/hybrid work; the campus is Kingston

Qualifications

• Provide administrative support to college faculty, staff, and departmental administrators in the execution of federal, state, and privately funded grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements.
• Provide professional support for post-award activities related to grant and contract proposals and funding, including compliance monitoring, payment processing, financial and project reporting, salary allocations, and cost share commitments.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate with PI and external organizations and institutions on post award documentation requests, such as subcontract requisitions and payment invoices.
• Proactively manage multiple externally funded grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements to ensure compliance with university, sponsor, and federal policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Continuously develop and maintain a strong working knowledge of the federal rules and regulations that govern research grants and contracts and stay informed on sponsor terms and conditions for submitting and administering grant awards.

Tools

Excel

InfoEd

PeopleSoft

Database management

Job description

Specialist, Grants & Contracts (CELS)

Posting Number: SF02193

Position Type: Professional Staff

Union: PSA/NEA - Professional Staff Assoc

Pay Grade Level: Grade Level: 8

Pay Grade Range: Anticipated Hiring Salary Range: $50,000 - $55,000

Department: Dean Environment& Life Science

Campus Location: Kingston

Job Description Summary:

The University of Rhode Island enrolls approximately 17,000 students across its graduate and undergraduate programs and is the State's flagship public research university, as well as the land grant and sea grant university, for the state of Rhode Island. The main campus is located in the historic village of Kingston, and the Bay Campus is located in Narragansett. Both campuses are near major beaches in a beautiful coastal community. URI is just 30 minutes from Providence, RI and within easy reach of Newport, Boston, and New York City.

THIS POSITION IS IMMEDIATELY ELIGIBLE FOR A REMOTE/HYBRID WORK SCHEDULE.

BASIC FUNCTION:

Work with the Associate Deans, Director, Research Faculty/Administrators, and Business Managers to coordinate research support operations and activities. Provide data for use by the Deans, Director, and the Research Committee.

Duties and Responsibilities:

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide administrative support to college faculty, staff, and departmental administrators in the execution of federal, state, and privately funded grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements.
• Provide professional support for post-award activities relating to grant and contract proposals and funding, including compliance monitoring, payment processing, financial and project reporting, salary allocations, and cost share commitments.
• Provide budgetary guidance to researchers related to award execution by interpreting sponsor and university announcements and guidelines.
• Perform work with moderate guidance and utilize knowledge of university and business drivers.
• Prepare and monitor budgets and related administrative project components according to the guidelines established by the applicable sponsoring entity, and institutional policies and procedures, contacting program officials directly where any budgetary questions might arise.
• Coordinate with PI and external organizations and institutions on post award documentation requests, such as subcontract requisitions and payment invoices.
• Proactively manage multiple externally funded grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements to ensure compliance with university, sponsor, and federal policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Continuously develop and maintain a strong working knowledge of the federal rules and regulations that govern research grants and contracts and stay informed on sponsor terms and conditions for submitting and administering grant awards.
• Work with Business Managers and Principal Investigators to provide support related services for the monitoring of awarded funds.
• Advise and ensure adherence to all federal and university guidelines, policies and procedures, pre/post award.
• Liaise between department staff, affiliated research faculty and Sponsored Projects supporting them in a variety of activities related to the implementation of their project both pre- and post-award.
• Monitor the establishment of new awards and sub-projects, with correct budgets and documentation.
• Assist in the preparation of financial and progress reports (annual and/or final) as assigned.
• Prepare and maintain Excel spreadsheets for financial reporting and analysis, when necessary.

Other Duties and Responsibilities:

Perform other duties as required.

Licenses, Tools, and Equipment:

Personal computers, printers; word processing, database management, and spreadsheet software; InfoEd and other grant preparation software; Enterprise Resource Planning software (i.e., PeopleSoft).

Posting Date: 08/19/2026