Contract Specialist - Remote/Hybrid Schedule

Overview

This position has the option for flexible hours and to work remotely on a partial or full-time basis.

Envision yourself in a collaborative, inclusive, and innovative work environment that has a deep commitment to position our graduates for success in their professional and personal lives. Visualize applying your energy and skills for an organization that respects and cares about its employees enough to offer some of the best benefits of the industry while encouraging every team member to grow, collaborate, and provide input on how to consistently make the workplace a place people love to work. Imagine working at a college that welcomes everyone — students, faculty, staff, and community members — regardless of their backgrounds, beliefs, or traditions. If what was just described is what you look for in a workplace, welcome to the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS)!

This position, reporting to the Executive Director of the Office of Sponsored Programs and Research Integrity, is responsible for preparing, reviewing, and negotiating a full array of contracts, subcontracts, grants, non-financial arrangements, and other agreements including subawards for sponsored projects and complex, non-routine university contracts. This position is responsible for understanding the legal terms and conditions and the scope of work of contracts and ensure institutional compliance with diverse federal, state, and university rules, regulations, policies and procedures. This position plays a key role in building strong public private partnerships through high quality support and customer service to campus leadership, faculty, staff and sponsor representatives. This full-time position has the option for flexible hours and to work remotely on a partial or full-time basis. Working remotely will require access to the internet.

This position will work collaboratively with the Office of Research, the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance, and other central University Offices, other institutions and sponsors.

Who We Are:

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) is one of four campuses in the University of Colorado system and is home to over 9,000 undergraduate and 1,800 graduate students. UCCS offers 53 undergraduate degree programs, 24 graduate degree programs, and 8 doctoral programs. UCCS is also home to the world’s only Bachelor of InnovationTM program, which allows our graduates to master multi-disciplinary skills and graduate ready to create real change in the world. UCCS was recently classified as a “High Research Activity” university by the Carnegie Foundation and takes pride in being the only higher education institution in southern Colorado that explicitly includes research as part of its mission. We have a strong focus in fueling student success by creating, using, and maintaining a multitude of offices – First Year Experience, Excel Centers, Academic Advising, and the Career Center just to name a few. Overall, UCCS is constantly focused of preparing our students to have success in the future, and we understand that every single employee on our campus has a significant effect on that focus.

The city, which was recently ranked as the number six Best Places to Live by U.S. News & World Report in 2021, known as Olympic City USA, rests at the base of Pikes Peak, the inspiration for the song “America the Beautiful” and a must-see for residents and visitors alike. The 14,115 foot summit is just one of dozens of area attractions, including scenic trains, museums, parks, a zoo and more. With a mild climate and 247 days of sunshine each year, the Springs boasts some of the state’s best recreation opportunities.

Job Duties:

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• The Contracts Specialist will solicit, prepare, review, and negotiate and amend a full array of agreements, including material transfer agreements, confidentiality agreements, data use agreements, collaboration agreements, corporate/sponsored research agreements, clinical trial agreements, subcontracts, and other forms of agreement, where required. 

• Responsible for reviewing contracts to ensure compliance with University, State, Federal and CU System policies and procedures and provide recommendations relating to any exceptions or items of concern or caution and contribute to their creative negotiation with the partner.

• Make decisions in a timely manner through effective time management, establishing priorities and target dates for information gathering, writing, review, approval, assembly, and submission of contracts.

• Draft, or review contract modifications received and route for internal reviews, approvals, and signature, as needed.

• Solve complex problems by actively seeking information and new ideas from a variety of sources including conducting research on legal issues or other topics as required.

• Produce high quality drafts and/or final versions of contracts and statements of work as well as compile and analyze data, and organize and maintain records.

• Work collaboratively with campus leadership, university legal office, department administrators, principal investigators, the controller’s office, and other cross functional teams to answer questions, resolve issues, and interpret contract provisions and terms.

• Communicating clearly, professionally, and effectively with both internal and external partners and stakeholders through presentations, issue lists, written documents, and emails.

• Monitor various complex and changing laws, regulations, and state and federal guidance in order to assist in the interpretation and application relating to pre- and post-award administration of grants, contracts, and other agreements.

• Proactively make recommendations to campus stakeholders for ways to improve contract templates, processes and policies.

• Collaborate with the Executive Director and Associate Director, Sponsored Programs and Research Integrity, the Associate Vice Chancellor for Research, and the Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance on special projects as assigned.

Job Competencies:

• Maintain confidentiality.

• Maintain the highest ethical standards.

• Skilled at building and developing relationships with multiple internal and external partners and stakeholders.

• Excellent negotiation skills.

• Broad knowledge of legal terminologies.

• Ability to handle diverse types of contracts.

• Ability to interpret and draft legal contracts, grant language, and applying terms and conditions in context.

• Ability to understand intellectual property, conflicts of interest, and the legal terms and conditions and the scope of work as they pertain to academic research and the university environment.

• Excellent analytical and time management skills.

• Ability to edit and write clear, precise, and grammatically correct documents.

• Ability to work independently while exercising appropriate judgment in seeking assistance and guidance.

• Work effectively under pressure.

• Manage a heavy workload with multiple deadlines and competing priorities.

• Create and manage documents.

• Interpret complex material and generate creative resolutions.

• Willingness to understand and contribute to the UCCS 2030 strategic plan.

• Communicate effectively and professionally with all members of the university community.

• Proficient in MS Office, virtual meeting platforms (e.g., Teams or Zoom) and willingness to learn new software applications

• Meet and exceed customer service needs and expectations.

• Demonstrated commitment to advance diversity equity, and inclusion.

This position has been determined to be exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

What We Offer:

Salary Range: Generally starting at $60,507 - $90,000

The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training.

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs offers excellent benefits, some of which include:

• Medical insurance, with the lowest cost option being $0 to the employee

• Dental, Vision, Life and Disability insurance

• Generous paid vacation and sick time accruals (14.67 hours of vacation and 10 hours of sick accrued per month, prorated if part-time)

• Mandatory retirement plans. Employees contribute 5% of their annual compensation. CU doubles that and contributes 10%

• Tuition Assistant Benefit available to you or a dependent

• Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of employment

• Off Campus Housing Resources 

Tentative Search Timeline:

• The potential dates for interviews with the search committee will be the week of May 30, 2022.

• The potential dates for interviews with the supervisor and appointing authority will be the week of June 6, 2022.

• The potential employee start date is July 1, 2022.

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs is committed to providing a safe and productive learning, living and working community. To assist in achieving this goal, we conduct background investigations for all prospective applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial and/or motor vehicle history check. 

UCCS is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. In compliance with applicable laws and in furtherance of its commitment to fostering an environment that welcomes and embraces diversity, the University of Colorado does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, political affiliation or political philosophy in its programs or activities, including employment, admissions, and educational programs. Alternative formats of this ad can be provided upon request for individuals with disabilities by contacting the Office of Human Resources at (719) 255-3372.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each of the established essential functions and meet the physical and environment demands described satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, ability, physical and environmental conditions required of the employee on the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions, physical and environmental demands.

Applicants with disabilities: If you have a mental or physical impairment, which limits one of your major life activities (e.g. walking, hearing, seeing, speaking, breathing, or learning) and require special accommodations for testing or interviewing, it is your responsibility to notify the office scheduling the interview or test at least 3 working days before the interview or test date.  If you need special accommodations at the work site, you must notify the appointing authority or Human Resources.

The Immigration Reform and Control Act requires that verification of employment eligibility be documented for all new employees by the end of the third day of work.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in any relevant field

• Four (4) or more years of professional experience in contracting or related processes. Candidates with other equivalent qualifications may be considered.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Juris Doctorate degree

• Advanced knowledge of contracting and related processes

• Knowledge of applicable federal and state of Colorado laws and regulations related to grants and contracts

• Experience working in research administration or sponsored programs administration at an institution of higher education

• Knowledge of and experience in federal regulations including OMB Circulars, the FAR, and other agency policies and regulations to maintain compliance with terms and conditions of the award

Physical Requirements:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit.

• Employee is regularly required to move, stoop, and bend.

• Employee is required to kneel, crouch, crawl, reach and handle.

• Tasks may involve using a computer screen continuously for long periods of time

• Ability to use a keyboard and use a mouse continuously for long periods of time.

• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.

Special Instructions to Applicants: Complete applications submitted by 5:00 pm MST on May 22, 2022 (Sunday) will receive full consideration. Applications submitted through email or surface mail will not be considered. Please apply at cu.edu/cu-careers (job #: 25517). Official transcripts will be required upon hire. If you have technical difficulties with your application, please contact the CU Careers help desk at 303-860-4200 #5 or cucareershelp@cu.edu. Job related inquiries should be directed to the posting contact. The University of Colorado Colorado Springs will not sponsor work visas or permanent resident applications for this position.