Grants Coordinator III

Position Summary

This highly responsible professional staff position works with College of Engineering faculty and the Office for Sponsored Programs on the submission and approval of external funding applications. The role involves developing, preparing, and reviewing proposals for external funding, submitting proposals within DLSA limits, and coordinating submissions outside DLSA limits with College of Engineering Grants Coordinators and/or SPA. The position will serve as a Decentralized Limited Signatory Authority (DLSA) and is expected to complete Phase‑2 DLSA certification within the first three months of employment.

It serves as a resource to the College of Engineering and investigators in the administration of sponsored projects.

Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent and five years of professional experience.

• Experience with grants support in an academic unit at a USG institution.
• Understanding of research administration roles and responsibilities at all levels for all university players, external sponsors, and project types.
• Experience in reading and understanding policies and guidelines.
• Familiarity with policies of major federal sponsors and federal guidelines.
• Experience in research administration or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Knowledge of procedures and policies for grant/contract proposal submission to a funding agency.
• Deep knowledge of sponsored program administration in a research university.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills with a customer service focus.
• Ability to work independently and resolve common problems.
• Knowledge of academic institutional policies and procedures regarding external funding.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with university personnel, state, federal agencies, and private organizations.
• Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing.
• Work under varying levels of supervision in a deadline‑oriented environment.
• Knowledge of electronic research administration systems.
• Decentralized Limited Submission Authority (DLSA) status typically attained within three months.
• Work independently in a deadline‑driven environment and maintain a positive work environment within a group.

Delegated Limited Submission Authority (DLSA) status is typically to be attained at this level within three months of employment. Research Terms and Conditions Certification (RTC) status through the Sponsored Projects Office should be attained after DLSA certification is achieved.

• Guide and assist College of Engineering faculty through the complex grant proposal and application processes, including preparation, review, and submission.
• Partner with faculty, staff, and graduate students in proposal development and submissions; support budgeting, cost share, formats, and compliance.
• Provide expertise on complex funding agency regulations.
• Review and interpret guidelines and policies, staying current on University, state, and federal policies and informing stakeholders of changes.
• Assist with entry of transmittal forms and proposal information into the UGA grants portal and other electronic research administration systems.
• Interpret funding agency policies, procedures, and guidelines.
• Request pending awards to achieve seamless funding availability.
• Advise on PI eligibility exemption requests.
• Act as DLSA for Engineering, responsible for proposal submissions and interpreting RFAs.
• Ensure accuracy of proposals in the Grants Portal under DLSA review.
• Attend Research Administration Discussion Group (RADG) meetings and DLSA meetings upon certification.

• Coordinate with the CENGR Business Office to hand off grants administration and grants accounting post‑award, including modification entry, terms and conditions verification, and consultation with SPA.
• Provide limited post‑award support: no‑cost extensions, award modification requests, subaward contract negotiations, and related…