We're Hiring!

Position Function:

Provides administrative and technical guidance and support to faculty and staff seeking outside funding for research, public service, and special sponsored institutional projects. Researches and interprets relevant regulations, guidelines, and standards. Prepares and reviews proposal budgets and oversees the processing of contracts and grants.

Salary Grade:  13

Please see Staff Compensation Structure for salary ranges.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Assist Principal Investigators (PIs) and faculty with the end-to-end preparation, development, routing, and timely submission of grant and contract proposals.
2. Oversee project management for complex and multi-PI proposals, establishing submission timelines and coordinating the collection of subaward files and supplemental materials (e.g., bio sketches, current & pending support, cost-sharing forms).
3. Develop, analyze, and evaluate proposal budgets for accurate calculations across expenditure categories (personnel/effort, fringe benefits, indirect costs, equipment, and materials).
4. Advise PIs on budget modifications, adjustments, and re-budgeting necessary to satisfy sponsor guidelines or project scope changes.
5. Review all proposals, contracts, awards, and subcontracts to ensure full compliance with sponsor, university, state, and federal requirements.
6. Serve as the primary liaison between PIs, collaborating institutions, and the central Office of Sponsored Projects regarding submissions, awards, and subaward documentation.
7. Track proposal and active/pending award statuses, proactively advising PIs on project deadlines, reporting requirements, and compliance protocols.
8. Maintain accurate, up-to-date grant and contract records in database systems and generate scheduled or custom reports, studies, and analyses.
9. Provide functional direction, training, and guidance to departmental staff on grants administration processes and institutional procedures.
10. Stay informed of regulatory changes, sponsor updates, and university policies to maintain best practices across assigned duties.
11. Participate in special administrative projects and perform other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Contract & Grant Specialist I - Bachelor’s Degree in a related field. One year of relevant experience.

Contract & Grant Specialist II - Bachelor’s Degree in a related field. Three years of relevant experience.

Substitution for Education: Two years of experience may be substituted for a master’s degree at the senior level

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.
• Mathematics, spreadsheet, database, and word processing skills mandatory.
• 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:
Applicants must apply online at www.msujobs.msstate.edu. Please include a cover letter and resume along with names and contact information of at least three professional references.

Restricted Clause:

Position is contingent upon continued availability of funding.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Discrimination is prohibited in university employment, programs or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status to the extent protected by applicable law. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of Civil Rights Compliance, 231 Famous Maroon Band Street, P.O. 6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, (662) 325-5839.

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.