JOB SUMMARY

The Office of Research and Scholarship (ORS) at the University of Connecticut School of Social Work (SSW) is seeking an energetic career-minded contract administration professional to join our growing grants administration team. ORS is responsible for administering a portfolio of $66M in awarded funding at UConn SSW. Located in the heart of downtown Hartford, the SSW is part of a top-ranked public research university and land grant institution.

Reporting to the SSW Associate Dean for Research, the Grants & Contracts Specialist will be responsible for providing day-to-day management and oversight over a high volume of post-award activity. Specifically, this position will be responsible for reviewing, negotiating, coordinating, and processing grants, contracts, and subcontracts in support of the University’s sponsored program activity. This position will also work with principal investigators, in collaboration with department and university partners, on grant opportunities and proposal submissions. This position will serve as the liaison between faculty, grant sponsors, and the Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR).

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serves as the primary liaison between faculty and staff at the School of Social Work, and various service units within OVPR, such as IRB, Sponsored Program Services (SPS), etc., with issues pertaining to pre-award, post-award, and contractual issues.
• Serves as the primary resource for providing guidance and oversight on issues related to fiscal, administrative, and regulatory management of a portfolio of grants, contracts, and sponsored programs from award receipt through closeout.
• Serves as a fiscal officer on all grant accounts. Prepare monthly status reports for PIs using University accounting systems. 
• Review financial and administrative transactions to ensure compliance with federal and state statutes, University policy, and sponsor guidelines and requirements.
• Reviews and approves PI expenditure requests to ensure they are allowable and funds are available, consulting with SPS Pre- and Post-Award as needed.
• Recommends solutions, assists with re-budgets, and assists with other changes when conflicts arise with contract provisions or grant requirements.
• Ensures compliance with all sponsor and University requirements, such as effort reporting.
• Review monthly status reports with PIs. Ensures that appropriate accounts are charged and/or credited for expenses in compliance with the terms of externally funded grants and contracts (post-award monitoring), provides regular updates to investigators on the status of those accounts, and prepares budget project reports. 
• Coordinates with SPS Pre- and Post-Award to fulfill funders’ post-submission requests, such as Just-in-Time requests, RPPRs, fiscal and programmatic reporting, and award closeouts.
• Provides communication, technical assistance, guidance, and advice to faculty and other professional staff with regard to applicable policies, statutes, regulations, and procedures formulated by the University, state and federal government, granting agencies, and various private foundations and industries; maintains up-to-date reference file.
• May participate in policy and procedure discussions and recommend policy or procedural changes as appropriate to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
• May participate in the development and delivery of internal training.
• Supports in facilitating and managing internal funding mechanisms at SSW and the University.
• Works closely with School of Social Work Finance and Administration staff to coordinate in the areas of Travel, Purchasing, Hiring, etc.
• May assist with proposal submissions, including preparing budgets, budget justifications, scope of work, and all internal paperwork, as needed. 
• Other related duties as needed.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

1. Bachelor’s degree in appropriate field and four years of relevant experience in a business organization or governmental agency involving accounting, budgeting, and contracting.
2. Experience in pre-and/or post-award management (e.g., federal and non-federal grants).
3. Working knowledge of budget/accounting spreadsheet software (e.g., Excel).

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

1. Knowledge of Uniform Guidance and/or the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR).
2. Ability to interpret technical solicitation or contract language applicable to sponsored research and understand its implications.
3. Experience with electronic research administration systems (such as grants.gov, research.gov, NSPIRES, and eRA Commons).
4. Experience working in an institution of higher education.
5. Experience working in a high-volume, high-production, and/or sponsored-research-intensive environment.
6. Excellent organizational skills, including the ability to identify and resolve administrative problems.
7. Ability to effectively communicate both verbal and written thoughts, ideas, and facts. Writes and presents information clearly and concisely.

APPOINTMENT TERMS

This position is a full-time, permanent position that is funded by the University of Connecticut, School of Social Work. This position is primarily based in the University of Connecticut’s School of Social Work in the Hartford Campus. Compensation is expected to range from $75,000 to $83,727 annually commensurate with experience. A generous benefits package is provided that includes health, retirement, paid time off, and other benefits. For additional information regarding benefits visit: https://hr.uconn.edu/benefits-beyond-pay/.

Other rights, terms, and conditions of employment are contained in the collective bargaining agreement between the University of Connecticut and the University of Connecticut Professional Employees Association (UCPEA).

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.

TO APPLY

Please apply online at https://hr.uconn.edu/jobs, Staff Positions, Search #498784 to upload a resume, cover letter, and contact information for three (3) professional references.

This job posting is scheduled to be removed at 11:55 p.m. Eastern time on December 26. 2024. 

All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics which may be found at http://www.ct.gov/ethics/site/default.asp.

All members of the University of Connecticut are expected to exhibit appreciation of, and contribute to, an inclusive, respectful, and diverse environment for the University community.

The University of Connecticut aspires to create a community built on collaboration and belonging and has actively sought to create an inclusive culture within the workforce. The success of the University is dependent on the willingness of our diverse employee and student populations to share their rich perspectives and backgrounds in a respectful manner. This makes it essential for each member of our community to feel secure and welcomed and to thoroughly understand and believe that their ideas are respected by all. We strongly respect each individual employee’s unique experiences and perspectives and encourage all members of the community to do the same. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

The University of Connecticut is an AA/EEO Employer.