Grants and Contracts Assistant, Associate, or Specialist at University of Connecticut

JOB SUMMARY

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Shared Services Office seeks applicants for a full-time position as a Grants and Contracts Financial Assistant or Grants and Contracts Associate or Grants and Contracts Specialist for CLAS Shared Services Grant Management. Under the direction of the Director or the Manager(s) for Grant Management, the incumbent will maintain a complete set of records of financial transactions for various units, along with providing faculty support in all aspects of grant administration.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Prepares faculty grant applications for submission, including drafting proposal documents, informing faculty of the submission process, establishing a grant record, and drafting budgets. 
2. Monitors compliance with guidelines from awarding agencies and maintains familiarity with terms and conditions associated with grants and awards.
3. Supports monitoring, tracking, and interpreting fiscal records for a portfolio of accounts including payroll records, purchasing, travel, and other disbursements to maintain compliance with grant policies.
4. Communicates financial information regarding grant accounts to faculty members, including remaining balances, anticipated payroll expenses, and incoming funding.
5. Analyzes and verifies transactions related to grants and contracts accounts such as invoices, travel, reimbursements, and requisitions.
6. Maintains internal records of grant applications and information, including budget details, invoices, correspondences, submitted applications, budget justifications, etc.
7. Communicates financial information with administrators and assists with accounts as needed.
8. Maintains internal grant management database with grant submissions and related account information.
9. Maintains files and grant management database.
10. Performs related duties as required.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities for the Grants and Contracts Associate 

1. Explores, researches, and identifies appropriate funding sources consistent with department/school/division mission and goals; facilitates efforts to secure sponsored project funds, including development of proposals.
2. Collaborates with other units or institutions to prepare large collaborative proposals.
3. Serves as a liaison between the principal investigator and internal and external stakeholders
4. Provides technical assistance in developing grant and contract proposals compatible with department/school/division interests.
5. Assists with the review and submission of basic grant proposals for accuracy and conformance with sponsor and university requirements.
6. May confirm investigators and other personnel on a proposal have completed required university, sponsor, regulatory, and other training mandates and disclosures.
7. May assist with preparing budgets, setting up new awards, budget adjustments, and preparation of financial reports.
8. Maintains and monitors project budgets.
9. Works with appropriate fiscal administrator and or SPS to ensure compliance with funding agency guidelines for allowable costs, including salary, fringe benefits, purchase of equipment, matching funds required, etc.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities for the Grants and Contracts Specialist 

• Provides technical assistance, training, and advice to faculty, University administration, and other professional staff on the preparation and submission of grant proposals.
• Reviews fiscal aspects of grant proposals to ensure fiscal compliance with federal and state statutes, University policy, and sponsor agency guidelines and requirements as pertained to allowable costs.
• Ensures that the funding solicitation is appropriate and consistent with department/school/division mission and goals
• Works with appropriate fiscal administrator and/or department administrator to review fiscal and transactional aspects of the proposal to ensure compliance with funding agency guidelines, including salary, fringe benefits, purchase of equipment, matching funds required, etc. to ensure proper spending.
• Communicates and advices financial information regarding grant accounts to faculty members, including remaining balances, anticipated payroll expenses, forecasts and projections, and incoming funding.
• 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 activity.
• Reviews personnel commitments for both paid and unpaid effort and ensure data is correct within UConn’s Effort Reporting System.
• Recommends solutions and negotiates changes when conflicts arise with contract provisions or grant requirements. 
• Serves as liaison between University administration, faculty, and granting agencies.
• Participates in policy discussions and recommends policy or procedural changes as appropriate to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
• Analyzes and resolves a variety of technical grant, financial, and contract problems.
• Meets with faculty and departments to explain services, communicate financial information, and assist with accounts as needed.
• Maintains internal grant management database (CHAD and GMS) with grant submissions and related account information.
• Corresponds and collaborates with administrators from other institutions and federal sponsor contacts.
• Provides ad hoc reports or interprets standard reports provided to faculty and administrative staff on grant and contract accounts.
• Works on special projects as directed by Grant Management Director and/or Manager(s).
• Work independently to analyze available information, draw conclusions and understandings, and present such conclusions effectively to senior management.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Two years of related experience.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated customer service skills.

Additional Minimum Qualifications for the Grants and Contracts Associate

• Three years of work experience.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Effective and clear written and verbal communication.
• Ability to use Microsoft products and software applications.
• Ability to meet deadlines and maintain organization.
• Work independently and effectively in a team environment.
• Critical thinking and analytical skills.
• Ability to multitask in a fast-paced high-volume work setting.
• Ability to interpret and carry out policies and guidelines.
• Maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries.

Additional Minimum Qualifications for the Grants and Contracts Specialist

• Minimum of four years of related experience.
• Excellent customer service and problem-solving skills.
• Clear understanding of detailed grant program guidelines, policies, and procedures.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience working in a higher education setting.
• Ability to work in a deadline-driven environment.
• Proven ability to manage time in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
• Excellent computer skills including experience with Microsoft programs. 
• Ability to work with diverse student, administrative, and faculty populations and provide a commitment to the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion in an educational setting.

Additional Preferred Qualifications for the Grants and Contracts Associate 

• Experience engaging with faculty.
• Ability to work in different environments.
• Knowledge of external funding sources within federal and state regulations.

Additional Preferred Qualifications for the Grants and Contracts Specialist

• Experience working on large projects with competing deadlines.
• Ability to collaborate with constituents at other higher educational workplaces to ensure best practices are established.

APPOINTMENT TERMS

This is a full-time position in a hybrid work environment. 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. 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 #498778 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 5, 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.