Grant & Contract Specialist

GENERAL SUMMARY OF POSITION:

Under the general direction of the Department Administrator, or designee, the Grant and Contract Specialist I is responsible for performing diversified and complex administrative, financial, and pre and post-award budgetary functions in support of departmental activities, to include both responsibilities for both restricted and unrestricted departmental funds.

Our department embodies the convergence of Computational Biology, Evolutionary Biology, and Genomics. We are committed to advancing our understanding of biological complexity through cutting-edge computational methods, evolutionary theory, and genomic technologies.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

Monitor post-award activities to insure adherence to sponsor guidelines and all reporting requirements are met. Inform Administrator on budget variances
• Assist with any changes to award budgets and submit necessary paperwork for approval of such actions.
• Set up and maintain computerized accounting system for the accurate management of funds
• Compile financial data for use in forecasting and analysis.
• Assist in the preparation of reports for presentation to federal and sponsoring agencies
• Prepare data for financial reports, budgets, budget and research fund reconciliations, forecasting, analysis, and ad-hoc reports for Administrators and PI"s as needed
• Review terms and conditions of new awards for issues involving allowable costs, re-budgeting and reporting requirements, confidentiality clauses, faculty time and effort monitoring, cost sharing, equipment justification, and ensure compatibility with sponsoring agencies' regulations and university policies and procedures
• Monitor contracts, extensions, and amendments with outside vendors, private agencies, and consultants in conjunction with Purchasing and legal offices. Inform Administrator on variances
• Manage all phases of post-award grants and contracts administration, to include monitoring budgets, expenses, and recovered overhead. Advise Administrator of reporting requirements
• Assist faculty in finding possible funding opportunities
• Assist and participate with Grant Accounting in award termination process to close-out accounts. Notify Administrator of final status
• Monitor Departmental voluntary and mandatory cost sharing
• Provide research and administrative support for special projects; assist in the preparation of data for projects and studies such as updating procedure manuals or analyzing activities compiles statistics
• Process consultant agreements, travel vouchers, purchase orders, reallocation of expenditures, and other expenses
• Participate in the preparation and certification of the annual space and effort documentation
• Participate in the preparation of the Departmental annual operating budget submission
• Perform other duties as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, or Accounting, or equivalent experience
• 1 year of relevant job experience, or equivalent, preferably in an academic environment.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze and interpret financial documents, such as system reports, at both account and summary levels
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Access and, PowerPoint), or similar software applications
• Excellent interpersonal skills (verbal and written) needed to present and communicate effectively with all levels of management.

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