Job no: 507985
Work type: Staff Full Time
Location: UMass Amherst
Department: Dean - Natural Sciences
Union: USA/MTA
Categories: College of Natural Sciences, Sponsored Programs, Grants and Contracts

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Summary

Prepares and facilitates the submission of a high volume of complex and competitive grant proposals (including interdisciplinary research proposals, research center proposals, and proposals for single or multiple investigators) in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

Essential Functions

Examples of duties:

• Confers individually with faculty members concerning their proposal plans; interprets the request for proposal (RFP) and provides direction to faculty on requirements; customizes and organizes information to develop timelines and submission strategies;
• Confers with multiple faculty investigators to address the administrative requirements for submission of grant and contract proposals for interdisciplinary research projects, research center proposals, and multiple investigator research proposals;
• Prepares non-scientific documents (budget forms, budget justification) and provides guidance on other documents such as bio sketches, current and pending support form, facilities and resources, etc.;
• Creates detailed budgets within sponsor and University guidelines and analyzes and evaluates contract and grant budgets for correct calculation of expenditure categories such as salaries, percent of effort, cost of living increases, fringe benefits, other direct costs, and indirect cost calculation;
• Inputs proposal data, forms and budget information into electronic routing and submission systems i.e. SmartGrant, FastGrant and NSF Fastlane.
• Ensures that comprehensive subcontract documentation from external institutions is prepared in an accurate and timely manner;
• Acts as liaison with funding organizations, other departments and university offices, performing significant problem-solving duties;
• Works closely with Office of Grant & Contract Administration staff, RSS staff, and senior leaders to ensure accurate procedural compliance on grants;
• Monitors and maintains understanding of related university, federal and state rules, regulations, policies, and procedures and communicates with faculty regarding compliance with fiscal policies.

Other Functions

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Four years of full time, or equivalent part-time, experience in administrative work to include at least two years of grant/contract administration support work. (An Associate’s or higher degree with a major in accounting, business administration, business management or public administration may be substitute for two years of the required experience. An Associate’s or higher degree with a major other than in accounting, business administration, business management or public administration may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required experience.)
• Experience in interpreting funding guidelines; previous experience working with federal rules, regulations, and policies (e.g., OMB Circulars A- 21 and A-110, Code of Federal Regulations [CFR], Federal Acquisition Regulations [FAR], Cost Accounting Standards [CAS]) and governing administration of grants and contracts;
• Experience with multiple funding agencies including federal sponsors and private foundations;
• Experience submitting proposals for a single PI and/or multiple investigator research group in a fast-paced deadline driven environment.
• Experience working independently with responsibility for decision making.
• Ability to adapt to and work effectively as situations change;
• Sound judgement to make independent decisions under pressure;
• Ability to effectively communicate with and exercise tact, establish effective working relationships, deal with conflicting views or issues and mediate fair solutions, and maintain a high degree of professionalism when working with CNS faculty, staff, University departments, other research administration departments, and sponsoring agencies;
• Ability to resolve budgetary problems and issues;
• Strong attention to detail while working within deadlines and ability to prioritize workload effectively.
• Ability to analyze complex problems, organize information, identify underlying causes, and generate solutions.
• Ability to foresee and troubleshoot potential complications and conflicts of interest regarding sponsor technical requirements, roles of collaborating participants, federal, state and sponsor regulations.

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Experience assisting faculty with submitting various types of proposals including interdisciplinary, multi-site projects, research centers, and instructional training grants preferred.
• Experience with various computer systems and on-line submission portals preferred.
• Knowledge of University accounting regulations preferred.

Work Schedule

Monday – Friday 8:30am – 5:00pm

Salary Information

Grade 16

USA/MTA Salary Schedule

Special Instructions to Applicants

Please submit your application by May 10, 2021 for priority consideration. As part of a commitment to their own multicultural community, CNS seeks an individual with a commitment to diversity and one who will understand and embrace university initiatives and aspirations. (https://www.cns.umass.edu/diversity-equity-inclusion)

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, or genetic information in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of the UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.

Advertised: Apr 29 2021 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: May 26 2021 Eastern Daylight Time