Grants & Contracts Specialist - Extramural Awards

Contract and Grants Specialist Title: Contracts and Grants Specialist Position Number: 0097116T Hiring Unit: Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation (OVPRI), Office of Research Services (ORS) – Contracts & Grants Location: Manoa Campus Employment Type: Full Time Duration: Temporary (annual renewable contingent upon satisfactory performance and/or availability of funding) Duties and Responsibilities Assists faculty and staff in the preparation of major sponsored program proposals to extramural sponsors. Reviews, identifies, and determines whether all aspects of the proposal and budget comply with the funding solicitation, applicable governmental laws, rules, and regulations, and sponsor and UH policies. Accepts delegated authority to act as the UH's authorized organizational representative to sign and submit proposals and to review and authorize post‑award proposal modifications. Reviews and ensures conformance to required institutional certifications such as lobbying, debarment, etc., and signs such certifications on behalf of the ORS Director. Reviews and recommends acceptance and/or rejection of extramural award agreements, modifications, and related documents. Consults with PI’s other relevant UH personnel to understand the needs of the program and resolve any questions or issues related to the terms and conditions of sponsored contracts, grants, cooperative, or other agreements. Interprets applicable rules and regulations for extramural awards, including Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations and the Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200). Identifies and determines whether financial, technical, and legal award terms are acceptable to UH and in compliance with applicable governmental laws, rules, and regulations, and UH policies. Ensures that the PI/relevant UH personnel are aware of and understand terms unacceptable to the UH that are deemed non‑negotiable by extramural sponsors, such as indemnification, jurisdiction, and choice of law. Drafts or provides alternate provisions to unacceptable terms and negotiates such terms with extramural sponsors. Drafts extramural award agreements, modifications, or related documents as required. Reviews requests for post‑award changes and acts as institutional liaison with extramural sponsors for post‑award changes that require institutional oversight, signing any necessary certifications on behalf of the ORS Director where covered by delegated authority. Provides advice, recommendations, and alternative solutions to UH personnel on post‑award administration, including interpretation of extramural sponsor guidelines, applicable governmental regulations, and UH policies. Follows up with appropriate UH personnel to ensure compliance with award requirements, e.g., required reports. Keeps abreast of current policies, procedures, regulations, directives, and governmental statutory or other requirements affecting extramural proposals and awards. Conducts training for ORS staff, UH investigators, and others on extramural proposals and awards and related matters, including but not limited to rules and regulations, and UH policies and procedures. Drafts correspondence for ORS Director or others on matters pertaining to extramural awards. Maintains up‑to‑date pending and completed proposal, award, and post‑award project data for all workload assignments, and upon request, provides periodic reports of individual workload status and progress for administrative and institutional use. Participates in testing of institutional systems related to extramural proposals and awards, and reports on testing results clearly and in a timely manner. Other duties as assigned. Minimum Qualifications Education and Professional Work Experience: Possession of a baccalaureate degree in any field and three years of progressively responsible professional experience with responsibilities for extramural proposals and award administration; or any equivalent combination of education and/or professional work experience which provides the required education, knowledge, skills, and abilities as indicated. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Considerable working knowledge of principles, practices, and techniques in the area of extramural proposal and award administration. Considerable working knowledge and understanding of applicable governmental laws, rules, regulations, and theories and systems associated with extramural proposal and award administration. Demonstrated ability to resolve wide‑ranging complex problems through creative reasoning and logic, accurately determining the cause and resolution of problems in an effective, innovative, and timely manner. Demonstrated ability to interpret and present information and ideas clearly and accurately in writing, verbally, and by preparation of reports and other materials. Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external organizations, groups, team leaders and members, and individuals. Demonstrated ability to operate a personal computer and apply word‑processing software. If applicable, for supervisory work, demonstrated ability to lead subordinates, manage work priorities and projects, and manage employee relations. Desirable Qualifications Master’s degree in a related field or Juris Doctorate. Knowledge of methods, procedures, and techniques involved in extramural proposal preparation and submission at higher education institutions and/or non‑profit organizations. Experience in legal issues facing institutions of higher education, including extramural award administration, intellectual property, copyrights, and disclosure of information. Knowledge of UH, governmental laws, rules, and regulations, policies and procedures, and practices relating to extramural proposal and awards. Knowledge and experience with federal and/or UH electronic research administration systems. EEO, Clery Act, ADA The University of Hawai'i is an Equal Opportunity Institution and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment, including on the basis of veteran and disability status. For more information, visit Employment is contingent on satisfying employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986; reference checks of previous employers; and for certain positions, criminal history record checks. In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, annual campus crime statistics for the University of Hawai'i may be viewed at , or a paper copy may be obtained upon request from the respective UH Campus Security or Administrative Services Office. In accordance with Article 10 of the unit 08 collective bargaining agreement, bargaining unit members receive priority consideration for APT job vacancies. As a result, external or non BU 08 applicants may not be considered for some APT vacancies. BU 08 members with re‑employment rights or priority status are responsible for informing the hiring unit of their status. Accommodation Request: The University of Hawai'i complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the EEO coordinator directly. Determination on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case‑by‑case basis. For further information, please refer to #J-18808-Ljbffr