Grants and Contracts Specialist/Coordinator - Civil and Environmental Engineering

• Serve as liaison to Sponsored Program Administration (SPA) and assist them with requests related to proposal submission and award negotiations, as necessary. Follow up on pending agreements and ensure that awards are finalized, and funded projects accounts are established in a timely manner in support of the research efforts.
• Request and monitor anticipation accounts, subaward agreements, no-cost and other contract extension modifications as necessary.
• Participate in campus research administration community through attendance at meetings and conferences offered by the Office of Business and Financial Services (OBFS), SPA and Sponsored Programs and Research Compliance (SPaRC), as well as those offered at the College level to enhance and improve research administration efforts.
• Assist with department human resource functions by the review and approval of faculty and student appointments.
• Assist with the creation and maintenance of proactive approaches to ensure compliance with sponsored research requirements. This includes promoting compliance awareness and maintaining standards for processes in appointments, pre- and post-award activities and other operations.
• Prepare or oversee the preparation of various standard and ad hoc financial reports for administration of the department’s research projects, and provide such reports to faculty and principal investigators, departmental administration, SPA and/or research sponsors as necessary.
• Assist with department purchasing and payable functions by the review and pre-approval of purchasing transactions with possible compliance issues, and the review and approval of Travel and Expense Management (TEM) system transactions and P-card transactions.

· Assist principal investigators with the semi-annual expenditure confirmation process to obtain certifications in a timely manner.

• Monitor principal investigator effort on sponsored projects for assigned faculty to ensure investigators meet their effort obligations on their respective awards. Assist with the maintenance of the Activity Reporting System (ARS) for assigned faculty. Update ARS as necessary and in accordance with the department’s allocation policy and discussions with the faculty teaching, research, public service, and cost sharing obligations are properly reflected and meeting the designated obligations.
• Assist with the training of new faculty on departmental and campus policies and procedures. Provide training to new grants and contracts staff.
• Other duties as assigned to further the mission of the department.

Qualifications – Grants and Contracts Specialist

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, accounting, finance, economics, or a field related to the position.
• One year of professional work experience in business or finance in a private, public, or educational environment.

Preferred:

• Illinois Certified Research Administrator.

Qualifications – Grants and Contracts Coordinator

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, accounting, finance, economics or a field related to the position.
• Two (2) years of professional work experience as a grant administrator within a higher education environment.

Preferred:

• Illinois Certified Research Administrator.
• Work experience at an institution of higher education.
• Experience in administering awards while maintaining the integrity and reputation of the University

Highly Qualified Applicants Will Have the Following:

Specialist:

• Ability to organize and manage diverse activities in a time sensitive environment.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills.
• Strong background in accounting principles and business practices.

· Ability to thrive in a team environment and actively contribute to the team’s success.

Coordinator:

• Strong background in sponsored research administration for pre and post award activities.
• Knowledge of University guidelines and procedures for general accounting, proposal processing, and grant administration.
• Comprehensive understanding of University, College and Department organization, objectives and goals.
• Familiarity with personnel administration policies and procedures.
• Ability to prepare and deliver presentations to colleagues and faculty members to enhance research administration efforts for all stakeholders.
• Ability to independently interpret policy and make informed decisions related to research administration.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

This is a full-time Civil Service Grants and Contracts Associate position appointed on a 12-month service basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the closing date. The minimum salary is $55,000 for the Grants and Contracts Specialist position and $65,000 for the Grants and Contracts Coordinator position, commensurate with experience and qualifications. Hybrid work options may be available for this position, with the ability to be on-site as needed. Work authorization is not available for this position.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES AND DEADLINE INFORMATION

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (CST) on October 25, 2023. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. Please upload your cover letter, resume, and names/contact information for three references. In order to be considered as a transfer candidate, you must apply for this position. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. If required by the position, transcripts or other documentation of credentials are to be provided no later than the first day of employment. For further information about this specific position, please contact Stacie Mertes at smertes@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, COVID-19 vaccination requirement, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal, or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing accessibility@illinois.edu.

Requisition ID: 1020536
Job Category: Administrative
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu