Contracts & Grants Specialist III

Pre-Award Shared Services (PASS):

Proposal preparation is an involved process that not only requires a solid technical concept and a cutting-edge technical team, but also experienced research administration support with expertise in project management, budget development, and strategic oversight charged with eliminating administrative burdens through the submission process.

PASS is a unit focused on equalizing access to proposal preparation support at UCF, under a shared services model. Our office works in consultation with faculty, academic units, and other university support offices to shoulder this administrative responsibility.

The Opportunity:

PASS is seeking Contract and Grants Specialist IIIs to support the pre-award activity for the team which shall encompass core units, approved Centers & Institutes, ad-hoc support university-wide services. Contract and Grants Specialist IIIs will also provide backup support for the Faculty Cluster Initiative and EARLIER teams embedded within the Research Initiatives team.

This position performs timely, high-quality and coordinated research administrative and customer services to faculty and research staff within every involved College/Department/Unit; managing high-volume, complex, multi-PI projects with an array of external sponsors. This position will be expected to hold delegated authority to endorse proposals & commitments on behalf of Research Initiatives.

Responsibilities:

• Assist Pre-Award Shared Services faculty in interpretation and clarification of sponsor guidelines and FAQs; review required sponsor forms, assurances and certifications; collect all pertinent data for the compilation of proposal components for accuracy and compliance.

• Develop all non-technical documents including budget and budget narrative, responsible for uploading application package to various sponsor systems (e.g. NSF, NIH, NSPIRES, ProposalCentral, etc.) and HRS System to System. Endorse proposal commitments on behalf of Research Initiatives ensuring that proposals are accurate and in full compliance.

• Coordinate with research collaborators (e.g., internal team, subcontractors, consultants, evaluators, vendors, etc.) to ensure their commitment and eligibility, and that all proposed financial documents (e.g., subcontract budget, vendor quotes, etc.) are current, accurate and complete.

• Create condensed proposal checklist clearly outlining requirements as noted in the sponsor RFP. Maintain proposal task list forecasting current and upcoming submissions.

• Responsible for team communication needs including kick-off meetings, communication of: reminders, status report, timeline for proposal deadlines to faculty, staff and collaborators, as appropriate.

• Ensure that research proposals, related documents, HRS smart form, special consideration (e.g. budget, cost share, release time, space needs etc.) are reviewed and approved by appropriate University officials (e.g. Chair, Dean/Director, etc.). Develop and review any formalized grant/contract modification requiring re-budgeting or revised scope of works; including Just In Time requests.

• Maintain a reporting relationship to the Contract and Grants Specialist IV (CGS IV), and the Sr. Director, Research Advancement & Strategy. Execute with authority to act in place of the CGS IV functions not requiring the expressed presence or approval of the CGS IV.

• Serve as backup support for other assigned Research Initiatives unit as needed.

• Other duties and special projects as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's or Master's degree and 4+ years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience pursuant toFla. Stat. 112.219(6).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated strong problemsolving and critical analysis skills, successfully managing a highvolume, diverse portfolio that includes complex and challenging issues.

• Demonstrated ability to independently lead and mentor others, including coaching and reviewing the work of lower-level professionals.

• Proven ability to independently manage projects and processes while working with limited supervision.

• Experience with NSF (National Science Foundation), NIH (National Institutes of Health), Department of Energy (DOE) and NASA.

• Working knowledge of University of Central Florida policies and procedures and federal regulations as they relate to contracts and grants.

• Demonstrated strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively in professional settings.