Grants and Contracts Specialist II (Hybrid Eligible)

Overview

East Tennessee State University (ETSU) is a regional state-supported institution serving approximately 13,400 students yearly, and is located in a beautiful, prosperous, Southern Appalachian Mountain community. The northeast corner of Tennessee, which surrounds Johnson City is metropolitan in population but provides a friendly, small town atmosphere. The area abounds in scenic beauty and in places of historical interest. 

JOB SUMMARY

The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs Administration (ORSPA) is the central administrative unit charged with providing support to the ETSU community in the solicitation, acquisition, and administration of externally funded projects for research, teaching, and service.

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Research and Director of ORSPA the Grants and Contracts Specialist provides administrative support to the university community throughout the grant lifecycle, primarily focusing on pre-award functions. They play a central role in coordinating the timely submission of applications, setting up of awards and sub-awards, reporting, training, and educating faculty, staff, and students on Sponsored Programs best practices, and ensuring compliance with federal, state, sponsor, and university regulations and guidelines about research and sponsored projects. They serve as a liaison with sponsors and participate in professional development opportunities including but not limited to obtaining CRA or related certifications and performing other duties as assigned.

The value of employment at ETSU goes far beyond salary. The official workday is 7-5 hours, which includes a one-hour lunch/meal break. Regular benefited ETSU employees enjoy a full range of benefits, services, and programs including:

• Paid time off & leave
• 17 paid holidays
• Educational assistance
• Health and life insurance
• Retirement
• Access to university facilities and services and much more!

Check out the ETSU Human Resources Benefits page for additional information: https://www.etsu.edu/humanresources/benefits/

Disclaimer: The Job Summary is intended to describe the general nature and level of work individuals perform in this classification. It is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Management reserves the right to revise the job or require different tasks to be performed as assigned to reflect changes in the position. Employees must be able to perform the position’s essential functions satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Excellent time management and organizational skills.
• Strong math, reading comprehension, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and presentation skills.
• High aptitude for learning electronic systems, and strong computer skills to include word processing, web searching, downloading, and reporting, database manipulation, and spreadsheets.
• Significant experience working in sponsor sites such as eRA Commons and research.gov.
• Proven ability to build and maintain collaborative relationships across a wide stakeholder group and provide excellent customer service.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and appropriately apply discretion in the performance of duties.
• Demonstrated commitment and willingness to learn and develop new skills and knowledge individually and as part of a team.
• Demonstrated ability to proactively manage expectations in relation to agreed deliverables and produce high-quality work products even when faced with competing priorities.
• Working knowledge of budgetary processes and demonstrated ability to develop accurate and appropriate budgets for a variety of sponsored projects.
• Substantive hands-on experience assisting and guiding stakeholders to navigate successfully through all stages of the grant lifecycle.
• Demonstrated ability to correctly interpret and apply federal and state regulations, policies, and guidelines governing sponsored research such as 0MB Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), FAR. and those pertaining to financial conflicts of interest, responsible conduct of research, biosafety, and the use of human and animal subjects.

Education, Certifications and Experience

• Required
  • Bachelor's degree and two (2) years of relevant work experience, preferably in sponsored project administration or fiscal management in a non-profit, government. academic research organization, or related business field; OR an equivalency of education and experience.

• Preferred
  • Current designation as Certified Research Administrator (CRA), Certified Pre-Award Research Administrator (CPRA), or Certified Financial Research Administrator (CFRA) or equivalent designation, or willingness to earn a CRA or CPRA within 12 months of hire.
  • Hands on experience working in electronic research administration systems such as lnfoEd, Kuali, ITWorks.
  • Prior experience creating and delivering training to stakeholders.

TO APPLY

Direct Link: https://jobs.etsu.edu/postings/25675.  Review of applications will begin July 16, 2023 and continue until a suitable candidate is found.

ETSU is committed to ensuring that our students, faculty, and staff are valued and work in an environment of openness and acceptance. ETSU is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.