Helps develop and manage priorities and initiatives to support and grow research activities. Works closely with constituents for proposal submissions, awards and contracts management.

Maintains effective working relationships with the colleges, departments, faculty and staff. Ensures the day-to-day functionality of the assigned area’s operations and services as related to any assigned program, initiative, or objective. Works under general supervision and may make some work procedural decisions which do not contravene policies. Determines work sequences within any department/divisional guidelines.  

Essential Functions and Responsibilities: Guides faculty and staff in identifying funding opportunities and interpreting sponsor rules and requirements as well as institutional policies and procedures related to proposal submission and overall award management.

Provides assistance with pre-award activities, including completion of required documents, budget development, document review for compliance, and upload for submission in applicable online systems.

Provides assistance with post-award activities, including budget modifications, extensions, reminders of interim, annual, and final reports and/or completion of other closeout documents required by granting agencies as appropriate.

Develops and delivers trainings and/or workshops for proposal development and award management, including training on the electronic research administration (eRA) system. 

Maintains and updates the ORS website and Penguin Portal page.

Assists in organizing research events.

Supports and supervises student assistants in the completion of special projects. 

Ensures the day-to-day functionality of the assigned area’s operations and services as related to any assigned program, initiative, or objective. Coordinates daily tasks related to one or more assigned components of a department’s/division’s overall programs and/or services.  

Regularly communicates with supervisor and other staff, including student workers, as required or needed in the completion of daily tasks in support of the department’s/division’s overall goals and objectives. 

Prepares and maintains accurate records of daily tasks in accordance with the department’s/division’s (or University’s) policies and procedures and assures timely communication with supervisor, staff, and students where appropriate.  

Gathers data and prepares reports and other information/documentation for supervisory review related to the department’s/division’s programs and/or services, or one or more assigned components thereof. 

Prepares for and attends events.  

Remains informed of current developments and procedures pertinent to duties; participates in staff development activities; attends meetings, conferences, and other events.

Other Functions and Responsibilities: Assists with training new hires.

Performs other duties as assigned and/or required that are within the level of responsibility for this classification at the discretion of the supervisor.

Equipment Operated: Computer and all other standard office equipment.

Work Schedule: Typically, Monday through Friday.

Supervision Exercised:  May exercise supervision over student employees.

Reports to: Director, Research Services

Required Certifications, Training, and/or Licensures: None

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

Knowledge of: the components of a research  proposal and budget as well as award terms and conditions; online   proposal submission processes; regulatory compliance issues related to research within higher education; University policies and procedures*; office practices and procedures; department/division goals and objectives*; department/division policies and procedures*; workplace safety practices and procedures*; English grammar and spelling; records management; office management; project management. 

Skill in: analytical thought and problem solving; organization; interpersonal relations; written and oral communication; use of office equipment; typing, data entry; computer operation; use of computer software and other programs applicable to the assigned department/division*. 

Ability to: work with flexibility on several tasks simultaneously to meet various concurrent deadlines; pay attention to detail; maintain confidentiality; ability to work in a team environment and independently; establish and maintain effective working relationships with faculty, administrative staff, and students in a higher education environment; collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; determine material and equipment needs; compile and prepare reports; use proper research methods to gather data; understand a variety of written and/or verbal communications; maintain records according to established procedures; effectively interact with personnel and public to answer routine questions; train or instruct others; move quickly and effectively from one tasks to another; work independently and in a team environment; develop and maintain effective working relationships.  

(*) Developed after employment.

Minimum Qualifications: At least a bachelor’s degree; one year or more years of experience in sponsored programs or writing and managing grants in an academic setting; and experience in the use of eRA and financial software applications.

Preferred Qualifications: Experience with Banner or another comparable financial accounting system. Experience with grant proposal preparation and submission to various governmental agencies such as NSF, NIH, ED, etc.