Grants Analyst II, Plant and Soil Sciences

Pay Grade: 30E

CONTEXT OF THE JOB:

The Grants Analyst II is a critical professional role within the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR). The department of Plant and Soil Sciences (PLSC) is a highly multidisciplinary unit within CANR that manages an expansive and diverse research portfolio, ranging from complex federal grants and state contracts to industrial agreements and international collaborations.

The primary objective of this position is to serve as the central post-award authority for the PLSC department. Responsibilities include ensuring that all sponsored research is managed with the highest level of fiscal integrity and compliance. Operating under the direction of CANR's Grant's Manager and the Department Business Administrator (BA), the Analyst acts as the vital link between the College's Pre-Award team, the University Research Office, and other academic departments across campus.

The Grants Analyst II is responsible for the technical "engine room" of grant management-transitioning awards from the proposal stage to active status, providing deep-dive financial analysis, and overseeing the administrative maintenance of award modifications. While the Department BA serves as the primary liaison to faculty, the Grants Analyst II provides the essential data, projections, and subject matter expertise required to guide departmental decision-making related to externally funded projects.

This position will focus on full-cycle post-award management to develop a model process system, identifying and implementing standardized procedures for the complex research portfolio in PLSC. Success in this role requires a mastery of federal OMB Uniform Guidance, sponsor-specific terms, and university policy, combined with a proactive approach to process development in a shifting, multidisciplinary environment.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

* Lead the day-to-day post-award administration of the department's sponsored research portfolio, exercising independent judgment to ensure financial and administrative activities comply with federal regulations (including OMB Uniform Guidance), sponsor-specific terms and conditions, and University of Delaware policies. Support the Department Business Administrator (BA) by managing operational grant administration while enabling broader departmental financial oversight and strategic planning.

* Coordinate the transition and lifecycle management of sponsored awards by working closely with the CANR Pre-Award team, College Grants team, and the BA to ensure all award documentation, sponsor requirements, and budget information are received, reviewed, and properly distributed for effective post-award administration. Maintain awareness of proposal submissions, pending awards, and anticipated funding to support monitoring of current and future financial commitments.

* Serve as the primary departmental liaison to the University Research Office and external collaborators for post-award matters, including award setup, interpretation of complex sponsor requirements, contract terms, and coordination of multidisciplinary research activities.

* Manage the department's Labor Allocation Module (LAM) and Effort Certification processes for sponsored projects, ensuring salary allocations align with approved budgets, federal effort reporting requirements, and mandatory cost-share commitments. Work collaboratively with the Department BA to implement adjustments and maintain accurate effort reporting.

* Oversee subaward administration across the department's sponsored research portfolio, including coordination with the Research Office on subaward issuance, modifications, and compliance requirements. Ensure all required subrecipient documentation is obtained and maintained, and review subrecipient invoices and financial activity to confirm allowability and consistency with award terms.

* Perform comprehensive financial monitoring and reconciliation of sponsored awards, including monthly statement reviews, identification and resolution of unallowable charges, preparation of journal vouchers and budget adjustments, and preparation and submission of administrative requests to the Research Office, including rebudgets, no-cost extensions, and other sponsor-required approvals, in coordination with the Department BA.

* Provide advanced financial analysis and projections for complex awards, including short- and long-term forecasting for large grants and cooperative agreements to support departmental decision-making regarding personnel commitments, equipment purchases, and research expenditures.

* Support departmental compliance and risk management activities by monitoring adherence to sponsor and institutional requirements, assisting with Technology Control Plans and regulatory certifications (e.g., IRB, Conflict of Interest, Export Control), and coordinating responses to internal and external audit inquiries.

* Collaborate with departmental and college partners-including the BA, Graduate Coordinator, College Grants…