Senior Grants and Contracts Specialist

Senior Grants and Contracts Specialist

Applied Research Laboratories – all applicants – 40 weekly hours – exempt, immediate start, location: PICKLE RESEARCH CAMPUS.

Senior level contract administrator for grants and federal contracts for Applied Research Laboratories.

• Pre‑award:
  Work with research staff to develop, compile, process and submit proposals for federal grants and federal research contracts to meet sponsor guidelines and time frames. Assist with review of documents, spreadsheets, and related data for accuracy and compliance with sponsor guidelines and relevant regulations. Review and negotiate terms for Federal, State, and other research contracts/agreements at all levels of complexity, with emphasis on special programs/closed rooms.
• Award maintenance:
  Administer awards, provisions and deliverables for research agreements of all levels of complexity and classification; collaborate with internal and external constituents on account management, sub‑contract management, and closeout. Prepare and review cost estimates to meet university accounting requirements. Serve as a subject matter expert on federal regulations, sponsor guidelines, and university policies related to research contracts and grants administration with a focus on closed room research contracts.
• Post‑award:
  Work with property administration staff and PIs to complete forms and administer closeout requirements for research agreements of all levels of complexity processed in closed rooms.
• Communication:
  Maintain communication with sponsors using classified systems to compile, maintain, track, and disseminate status information and other research administration data; act as liaison with internal/external contacts. Ensure award requirements are accurately documented and communicated to relevant lab personnel. Keep Grants and Contracts Office specialists up‑to‑date on administrative office functions related to agreements.
• Professional development:
  Stay informed about changes in Federal regulations and sponsor policies that impact research grants and contracts administration. Acquire and maintain knowledge of FAR/DFARS, Uniform Guidance and other Federal regulations to support research contract administration. Mentor and provide guidance to Grants and Contracts Office specialists, fostering professional development and growth; contribute to process improvement initiatives with the Grants and Contracts Manager and the non‑URC Team Lead.
• Other functions as assigned.

• Bachelor's degree in business, public administration, social sciences, or a technical/scientific field.
• Five years of related experience in proposal preparation, processing, and submission to various sponsoring organizations, and negotiation of contract terms/conditions.
• Ability to exercise sound decision making and problem‑solving skills during proposal preparation, contract negotiation, and award administration.
• Excellent interpersonal communication and writing skills.
• High proficiency in spreadsheet and word processing applications (MS Office Suite and Adobe Acrobat Pro).
• Demonstrated ability to interact tactfully and professionally with a wide variety of people under stressful and time‑sensitive conditions; work independently and as part of a team.
• Demonstrated accuracy, attention to detail, and ability to follow established guidelines and office protocol.
• Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

• Experience with federally funded grants and research contracts.
• Certified Research Administrator.
• Advanced skills with Microsoft Excel.
• Proficiency in business writing.
• Experience with Federal acquisitions and contracting.
• Familiarity with FAR, DFARS, and Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200).
• Eligibility for immediate access to classified information.
• Experience with federally funded research contracts.

$68,000 – $76,000+/negotiable depending on qualifications.

• Standard office conditions.
• Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation.
• Use of manual dexterity.
• Possible weekend, evening, and holiday work.
• Possible interstate/intrastate travel.

• Resume/CV.
• Thre…