JOB SUMMARY  

The Center for Clean Energy Engineering (C2E2) seeks applicants for a full-time position as a Grants and Contracts Specialist to join C2E2’s professional staff team. The Center for Clean Energy Engineering is an interdisciplinary center within the College of Engineering with a threefold mission fostering education, research, and outreach in all areas of clean energy. The Institute’s research environment is fast paced, with a large and diverse portfolio of sponsored awards.  Under the direction of center leadership, the incumbent will provide dedicated post-award research administration support to our interdisciplinary faculty members, maintaining financial records for the Center’s sponsored award accounts.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintains detailed knowledge of each sponsored project and offers full assistance for all matters of post-award management throughout each stage of the award lifecycle.
• Meets with faculty investigators and research teams to explain services and procedures, communicate financial information, and assist with account planning as needed.
• Reviews fiscal aspects of grant awards to ensure fiscal compliance with federal and state statutes, University policy, and sponsor agency guidelines and requirements as pertained to allowable costs.
• Routinely reviews fiscal and transactional aspects of each project account to ensure fund use is compliant with funding agency guidelines and award specifications (including matters of personnel, travel, equipment, supplies, matching funds, other direct costs, project-specific budget lines, etc.).
• Processes no-cost extensions, re-budgets, and cost transfers on grant and contract accounts, and will also interpret and review effort reporting details related to faculty commitments.
• Communicates financial information regarding grant accounts to faculty members, including new awards, remaining balances, anticipated payroll expenses, sub-recipient invoices, forecasts, and projections.
• Works closely with SPS Post-award to prepare and verify quarterly financial reporting and award closeout reports.
• Reviews personnel commitments for both paid and unpaid effort, ensuring data is correctly certified within the University’s Effort Reporting System.
• Serves as liaison between university administration, faculty, and granting agencies.
• Recommends solutions and negotiates changes when conflicts arise with contract provisions or grant requirements.
• Upholds routine internal controls, in accordance with unit and University expectations.
• Generates financial and personnel reports provided to faculty and administrative staff/managers for grant and contract accounts.
• Works independently to analyze available information, draw conclusions and understandings, and present such conclusions effectively to the center director, faculty, and SPS as requested.
• Complies with federal, state, sponsor, and University standards and regulations for all aspects of sponsored project management.
• Corresponds with administrators from other units, institutions, and sponsor contacts.
• Serves as a backup to the C2E2 staff during high-volume workloads, by preparing pre-award proposals, responding to sponsor requests, and other pre-award activities. Review cost share as required for awards by verifying with SPS when reporting cost share to the sponsor.
• Works on related special projects as directed by C2E2 Director.
• Performs related duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

1. Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business, or a related field.
2. Minimum of four years of related experience.
3. Excellent customer service and problem-solving skills.
4. Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment.
5. Effective and clear written and verbal communication.
6. Clear understanding of detailed grant program guidelines, policies, and procedures.
7. Ability to use Microsoft products and software applications.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

1. Master's degree in business or finance or a related field is a plus.
2. Experience working in a higher education setting.
3. Demonstrated ability to work with diverse student, administrative, and faculty populations.
4. Experience working on large/complex projects with competing deadlines.
5. Knowledge of federal and state laws, regulatory requirements, and University policies governing the planning, application development, and management of research grants and contracts.
6. Ability to collaborate with professional staff members within other University units and at other higher educational workplaces to ensure best practices are established.
7. Experience working with UConn electronic systems (KFS, Webfocus, InfoEd, HuskyBuy, CoreCT).

APPOINTMENT TERMS

This is a full-time position. The University offers a competitive salary, outstanding benefits including employee and dependent tuition waivers at UConn, and a highly desirable work environment. Salary will be commensurate with the successful candidate’s background and experience. This position could potentially have a hybrid work schedule, subject to authorization and University Policy.

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 #498792 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.