Pre-Award Specialist

Overview

Please consider joining our fantastic pre-award team on our beautiful campus in northern NJ, located just 15 miles to the west of New York City, and easy access to wonderful hiking, and beaches.

Please visit MSU's FLEXIBLE WORK ARRANGEMENTS POLICY

Link to Apply: https://www.montclair.edu/human-resources/job-seekers/

Job Description

OVERVIEW:

Reporting to the Director of the Office Sponsored Programs (OSP), and under the day-to-day supervision of the Pre Award Manager, the Pre-Award Specialist provides direct support to MSU faculty and staff in the preparation and submission of their grant and contract proposals. As a member of an active, customer-service-oriented pre-award team, the Pre-Award Specialist ensures applications for funding are complete and in compliance with sponsor and university requirements. Additionally, the Pre-Award Specialist works to identify potential funding opportunities with federal, state, and private funders, and to disseminate funding opportunity information to the university community.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide administrative support to university faculty, staff and departmental administrators in the preparation and submission of federal, state and privately funded grant and contract proposals.

• Proactively manages multiple concurrent proposal submission timelines to ensure the on-time completion of high quality, responsive and compliant proposal applications.

• With minimal supervision, reviews, highlights, and communicates application instructions and proposal requirements to MSU faculty and departmental staff.

• Prepares accurate budgets and proposal components according to the guidelines established by the applicable sponsoring entity, and institutional policies and procedures, contacting program officials directly where any questions might arise.

• Provides assistance to MSU faculty and staff in the submission of proposals through various electronic systems, to include (but not limited to) Cayuse Proposal (Grants.Gov), Research.Gov, NJSAGE, and other e-systems.

• Prepare proposal revisions and responds to requests related to proposal submissions

• Coordinate with external organizations and institutions on collaborative submissions.

• Coordinate with OSP staff, researchers, department/unit heads, deans, directors and other staff to resolve proposal issues, and provides information as requested.

• Continuously develops and maintains a strong working knowledge of the federal rules and regulations that govern research grants and contracts and stays informed on sponsor terms and conditions for submitting and administering grant awards.

• Under the day-to-day guidance of the Director and Pre-Award Services Manager continuously develops on existing knowledge and expertise in all aspects of research administration.

• Identifies potential funding opportunities with federal, state, and private funders and disseminates funding opportunity information to the university community.

• Maintains standards for organizing and updating OSP’s shared physical and electronic files.

• Participates in OSP workshop and outreach activities (e.g., trainings, OSP Newsletter).

• Attends and participates in meetings and/or college events related to assigned responsibilities.

• Represents the college at conferences, meetings, seminars and to the public as required.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Management retains the right to add or change job duties at any time.

QUALIFICATIONS:

REQUIRED:

• Bachelor's degree required.

• Three or more years’ experience in a pre-award and/or sponsored research administration in a university setting, with a strong commitment to customer service.

• Ability to work under pressure and prioritize to meet tight proposal deadlines with demonstrated tact, poise, diplomacy and professionalism.

• Demonstrated time management and detail-oriented skills.

• Demonstrated ability to interpret federal regulations, procedures and/or compliance standards.

• Ability to work remotely as circumstances require.

• Excellent verbal and written communication, organizational and interpersonal skills.

• Excellent Proofreading skills.

• Solid experience with budget development and strong proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word.

PREFERRED:

• Certified Research Administrator (C.R.A.) Certification

• Experience with National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health proposal submissions strongly preferred.

• Experience with the Cayuse Research Suite.

Interested candidates will need to submit a resume and cover letter for consideration.