Senior Contract Specialist

Senior Grants and Contracts Specialist Location: PICKLE RESEARCH CAMPUS Weekly Scheduled Hours: 40 Position Open To: All Applicants FLSA Status: Exempt from FLSA Earliest Start Date: Immediately Responsibilities Pre-award: Work with research staff to develop, compile, process, and submit proposals for federal grants and federal research contracts to meet sponsor guidelines and time frames. Assist with review of documents, spreadsheets and related data for accuracy and compliance with sponsor guidelines and relevant regulations. Review and negotiate terms for Federal, State and other research contracts/agreements at all levels of complexity, with emphasis on special programs/closed rooms. Award maintenance: Administer awards, provisions and deliverables for research agreements of all levels of complexity and classification and collaborate with internal and external constituents on account management, sub-contract management and closeout. Prepare and review cost estimates to meet university accounting requirements. Serve as a subject matter expert on federal regulations, sponsor guidelines and university policies related to research contracts and grants administration with a focus on closed room research contracts. Post-award: Work with property administration staff and PIs to complete forms and administer closeout requirements for research agreements of all levels of complexity processed in closed rooms. Communication: Utilizing classified systems, maintain communication with sponsors to compile, maintain, track and disseminate status information and other research administration data and act as a liaison with internal/external contacts. Ensure the award requirements are accurately documented and communicated to relevant lab personnel. Ensure Grants and Contracts Office grants and contracts specialists are up-to-date on administrative office functions related to the agreements. Professional development: Stay informed about changes in Federal regulations and sponsor policies that impact research grants and contracts administration. Acquire and maintain knowledge of FAR/DFARS, Uniform Guidance and other Federal regulations to support research contract administration. Mentor and provide guidance to Grants and Contracts Office grants and contracts specialists, fostering professional development and growth; contribute to process improvement initiatives by working with the Grants and Contracts Manager and the non-UARC Team Lead. Other functions as assigned. Required Qualifications Bachelor's degree in business or public administration, social sciences, or a technical/scientific field. Five years of related experience including preparation, processing, and submission of research proposals to a variety of sponsoring organizations; negotiation of contract terms/conditions. Ability to exercise sound decision making and problem-solving skills during proposal preparation, contract negotiation, and award administration. Excellent interpersonal communication and writing skills. High level of proficiency in spreadsheet and word processing applications (MS Office Suite and Adobe Acrobat Pro). Demonstrated ability to (1) interact tactfully and professionally with a wide variety of people under stressful and time-sensitive conditions; (2) be supervised; and (3) work independently, and as a team member. Demonstrated ability for accuracy, attention to detail, and ability to follow established guidelines and office protocol are critical. Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate. U.S. Citizenship. Applicant selected will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information. Employment contingent on obtaining classified access within specified timeframes; continued eligibility required. Preferred Qualifications Experience with Federally funded grants and research contracts. Certified Research Administrator. Advanced skills with Microsoft Excel. Proficiency in business writing. Experience with Federal acquisitions and contracting. Familiarity with Federal Acquisitions Regulations (FAR), Defense Federal Acquisitions Regulations Supplement (DFARS), and Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200). Eligibility for immediate access to classified information. Required Materials Resume/CV 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor. Letter of interest Salary Range $68,000-$76,000+ / negotiable depending on qualifications. Working Conditions Standard office conditions Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation Use of manual dexterity Possible weekend, evening and holiday work Possible interstate/intrastate travel Benefits 100% employer-paid basic medical coverage Retirement contributions Paid vacation and sick time Paid holidays Equal Opportunity Employer The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions. #J-18808-Ljbffr