Grant + Contract Officer

Research Contract Specialist 2

The primary focus of the Grant & Contract Officer in Research Administration is to support one or more functional areas within ORSPA by providing contract review, management of all award setup/project accounting/cash management and analysis of award disbursement to ensure compliance with all applicable university, sponsor, ABOR, state and federal requirements, standards and regulations. This is the intermediate level position in research administration and under administrative direction supports one or more functional areas including, but not limited to: funding information;

regulatory compliance; award setup; post-award administration; project accounting and cash management; cost analysis and compliance.

Salary Range: $48,600- $55,000 per year; DOE

• Acts as a resource to ASU Research Advancement Administrators, reads and interprets contracts and other award documents to determine budget, invoicing schedule, restrictions and other pertinent information.
• Interprets regulations and guidelines of program funding for complex grants and contracts; prepares periodic reports for grant agencies.
• May be responsible for setting up awards in the ASU systems, as request or required.
• Works in conjunction with Research Advancement Administrators to ensure timely and accurate post-award accounting of grants and contracts; reviews reconciliation of accounts for compliance of charges in accordance with sponsoring agency/contract conditions and requirements.
• Manages awarded projects in accordance with University and sponsor regulations; provides contract, policy and procedure interpretation to academic departments; reviews and assists prepare invoices, standard and non-standard accounting reports to federal and sponsoring agencies, including, but not limited to: detailed cost and financial analysis, forecasts and projections reflecting interrelationships of accounting data, and provides financial tracking and fiscal control to fulfill reporting requirements.
• May prepare or assist in preparation of special accounting studies and monitors final reporting requirements.
• As a resource, interacts with sponsors and staff to resolve problems and correct errors in fund management to ensure timely collection of revenue through accurate presentation of invoices.
• Maintains all applicable project records and files; decides proper handling of financial transactions; approves transactions within designated limits.
• Provides solutions to problems presented by lower level staff and recommends changes to accounting system, methods or procedures to management, utilizing knowledge of accounting principles and practices.
• Reviews computer reports for errors or inconsistencies; investigates and corrects problem.

• Strong ability to understand user needs, requirements and requests to identify priorities; escalates urgent/conflicting requests.
• Strong and collegial interpersonal skills and an ability to communicate effectively in person, writing, and by phone;
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective professional working relationships.
• Team oriented; able to effectively respond to moderately complex situations involving numerous and sometimes competing university constituencies.
• Knowledge of research methods, grants, and contracts.
• Knowledge of financial analysis.
• Skill in developing, negotiating and administering grants and contracts, and awards, and post award functions.
• Knowledge of policies, procedures and regulations of various funding sources.
• Knowledge of computer applications and information dissemination technology.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and comfortable working in computer data base systems.
• Critical thinking and problem solving skills.
• Adept at navigating complex environments with evolving priorities and communication plans.
• Ability to utilize knowledge of subject area(s) to identify solutions to issues.
• Problem solver who can take initiative and set priorities while being flexible.
• Ability to manage team workload; proactively reassign workload to meet/exceed established metrics for team; escalate to upper management for additional resources to meet goals.
• Ability to prepare detailed documents, proposals, reports, and/or related materials.

• Climate-controlled office setting subject to extended periods of being in a stationary position.
• Regular use of a computer and other office productivity equipment, such as a calculator, copy machine and printer.
• Ability to clearly communicate and exchange accurate information to perform essential duties.
• Expected to be responsive to customers; engaged in work production; and resourceful, flexible, and respectful of others.
• Ability to interpret complex sponsor regulations.
• Expected to be responsive to customers, engaged in work production, resourceful, flexible, and respectful of others.