Position Function:
This position manages and provides support for pre and/or post-award activities within a department for extramural projects including proposal development assistance, accounting reconciliations and forecasts, contract and grant management. Rankings and qualifications within levels (I, II, III, Senior) are based on education and experience.
Salary Grade: Salary grades 13-15, depending on level
Please see Staff Compensation Structure for salary ranges.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
•Assists Principal Investigators (PIs) in the development, preparation, and submission of
grant and contract proposals.
• Ensures all applications comply with agency and university guidelines.
• Assists PI with adherence to funding agency requirements (budget requirements, bio
sketches, current & pending support, other required forms, cost sharing obligations, etc.)
for consistency, accuracy, and completeness.
• Coordinates with PI and pre-award and/or post-award support staff at collaborating
institutions to secure necessary subaward documents for proposals.
• Ensures proposals are entered and routed in a timely manner for further review.
• Provides monthly sponsored account reports and balances, reviews expenditures for
compliance, resolves accounting issues, and prepares spending projections for awards.
• Monitors proposal and award (non-financial/financial) status and advises PI on
requirements and deadlines associated with reports, research protection and protocols.
• Advises the PI and assists with budget adjustments, modifications, and revisions
necessary to meet the sponsor requirements.
• Assists PI with navigating search tools and communicates funding opportunities and
proposals.
• Stays informed of sponsor updates and changes relative to grants administration.
• Knows policies and procedures applicable to assigned duties.
• Provides guidance, training, and support for departmental staff.
• Performs similar or related duties as assigned or required.
Minimum Qualifications:
Contract & Grant Specialist I - Bachelor’s Degree in a related field and one year of relevant experience.
Contract & Grant Specialist II - Bachelor’s Degree in a related field and three years of relevant experience.
Contract & Grant Specialist III - Bachelor’s Degree in a related field and five years of relevant experience.
Senior Contract & Grants Specialist - Master’s Degree and a Professional Certification related to Research Administration (CRA, CPRA, CFRA, or PMP) and five years of relevant experience.
Substitution for Education: Two years of experience may be substituted for a master’s degree at the senior level.
Substitution for Experience: None.
Preferred Qualifications:
Three years’ experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.
Knowledge of the Uniform Guidance (OMB Circulars) and standard cost accounting.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
• Ability to analyze budgetary line items for compliance with budget guidelines.
• Ability to perform complex tasks and to prioritize multiple projects.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Information research skills.
• Database management skills.
• Organizing and coordinating skills.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a
wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
• Spreadsheet, database, and word processing skills mandatory.
• Knowledge of mathematics.
• Ability to provide technical advice and information to faculty and staff in area of expertise.
• Knowledge of federal, state and/or community funding sources and mechanisms.
• Records maintenance skills.
• Knowledge of grant funding policies and procedures and applicable local, state, federal
and university regulations.
• Knowledge of the Uniform Guidance (OMB Circulars) and standard cost accounting.
• Ability to make administrative/procedural decisions and judgments.
• Attention to detail.
Working Conditions and Physical Effort
1. No unusual physical requirements.
2. Requires no heavy lifting, and nearly all work is performed in a comfortable indoor facility.
3. Frequent - Externally imposed deadlines; set and revised beyond one’s control;
interruptions influence priorities; difficult to anticipate nature or volume of work with
certainty beyond a few days; irregular hours may be anticipated; meeting of deadlines and
coordination of unrelated activities are key to position.
4. Job frequently requires walking, sitting, reaching, talking, hearing, handling objects with
hands
5. Job requires standing, stooping/kneeling/crouching/crawling, and lifting up to 10 pounds
6. Vision requirements: Ability to see information in print and/or electronically
7. Hearing requirements: Heavy telephone contact requires ability to hear and respond to
telephone conversations
Instructions for Applying:
All applicants must apply online at www.explore.msujobs.msstate.edu and attach a cover letter, current resume, copy of your transcript(s) and the complete contact information for at least three professional references. Any social security number included on requested transcripts should be redacted prior to submitting online.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
MSU is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy, gender identity, status as a U.S. veteran, and/or any other status protected by applicable law. We always welcome nominations and applications from women, members of any minority group, and others who share our passion for building a diverse community that reflects the diversity in our student population.
What do I do if I need an accommodation?
In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu.
If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.
