Grants Research Administrator

Summary

The VCU College of Humanities and Sciences Sponsored Programs Office (CHS-SPO) is seeking applicants to fill Grants Research Administrator positions in our growing team. These positions will primarily be responsible for the day-to-day aspects of pre- and post-award research administration for an assigned grants portfolio including reviewing funding opportunities, budget development, coordinating subcontract arrangements, award verification and set up, preparation of sponsor required financial reports, index reconciliation, and review/submission of various post award administrative tasks (i.e., NCEs, re-budgeting requests, prior approval requests, and etc.). The successful candidates will be expected to work both independently and collaboratively with the CHS-SPO Team.

The VCU job series for these positions is Specialist/Senior Specialist in the Legal, Audit and Compliance job family. For more information, please see VCU Human Resources’ Job Family and Salary Ranges at https://hr.vcu.edu/hr-partners/user-access-guides--training/compensation-and-hiring/university-compensation-plan/job-families-and-salary-ranges/.

VCU combines learning, research, creativity, service and discovery with a commitment to inclusive excellence. Ranked by U.S. News as one of the 30 “most innovative” public universities in the country, VCU is a premier, urban, public research university home to multiple nationally ranked programs. Here your success is supported, and your career can thrive. VCU offers a robust benefits package that includes: comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave granted up front, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, generous tuition benefit, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more. Learn more about VCU’s benefits here, https://hr.vcu.edu/current-employees/benefits/.

VCU is committed to hiring veterans! VCU will add your military years of service to our leave plan. This may provide veterans with an increased leave accrual!

Job-Specific Duties

Pre-Award Duties
Assist with grant proposal processing tasks including preparation of grant, subcontract, and contract proposals for new research projects and continuation/supplemental funding proposals for existing projects
Review funding opportunity announcements
Assist faculty with budget development
Review proposal documents for compliance, completion of internal and sponsor forms (budget justifications, biographical sketches, institutional background descriptions, etc.)

Post-Award Duties
Perform monthly financial reconciliation of assigned sponsored program indexes
Fulfill grant management responsibilities (e.g. award review and setup, no cost extensions (NCEs) prior approval requests, re-budgeting requests, and effort reporting)
Provide detailed review and analysis of award agreements and contract documents to maintain compliance with local, state, university, and federal regulations
Assist faculty with grant financial reports
Initiate the grant close out process at the conclusion of research projects

Successful candidates will be expected to work collaboratively with VCU’s Office of Grants & Contracts to resolve accounting issues, as well as VCU’s Division of Sponsored Programs to coordinate the submission of grant proposals and post award administrative actions and reports.

As members of the CHS-SPO Team, individuals will assist in providing answers and education to College of Humanities and Sciences’ employees on issues pertaining to grants and federal compliance. CHS-SPO Team members will complete other duties as assigned in a timely and professional manner as requested by the Director of CHS-SPO.

Typical Education and Experience

Minimum Hiring Standards
•Bachelor's degree in related field and/or two or more years of experience in research administration.
•Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment or commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.
•Knowledge and experience in working with grant and contract procedures
•Ability to apply and interpret university and federal policies, procedures, laws, and regulations concerning sponsored projects.
•Open and collaborative style that encourages teamwork and cooperation.
•Ability to work well under deadline pressures, exhibiting sound judgement without sacrificing accuracy or customer service.
•Excellent computer skills in the use of MS Office with emphasis on Excel spreadsheets and MS Word processing
•Knowledge of various electronic sponsor portal systems
•Ability to prioritize work and handle multiple priorities simultaneously.
•Ability to reason, think logically, and analyze situations to achieve resolution of problems or concerns
•Demonstrated ability to research, investigate, analyze, and evaluate all project related data regarding budgets and expenditures for each assigned project.
•Exceptional communication, organization skills, customer service, and interpersonal skills.
•Must have the ability to effectively and clearly answer inquiries of faculty, staff, and sponsors
•Knowledge of state and federal regulations related to research administration, including Uniform Guidance (2CFR200), and Cost Accounting Standards.
•Must demonstrate an interest and willingness to learn the ins and outs of post award grant administration.

Preferred Hiring Standards
•Certifications such as Certified Research Administrator (CRA), Certified Financial
Research Administrator (CFRA), Certified Pre-Award Administrator (CPRA) or relevant certification in Project Management.

Job-Specific Physical and Cognitive Requirements

Physical Demands
Light lifting ( Pushing/pulling marginal
Walking essential
Standing marginal
Climbing essential
Sitting essential
Reaching marginal
Bending marginal
Repetitive motion marginal

Emotional Demands
Fast pace essential
Average pace marginal
Multiple stimuli essential
Frequent change essential
Intense customer interaction essential

Mental/Sensory Demands
Memory essential
Reasoning essential
Hearing essential
Reading essential
Analyzing essential
Logic essential
Verbal communication essential
Written communication essential