Grants and Contract Specialist III, Post Award - Research Administration

Updated: 2 days ago
Location: Arlington, TEXAS
Deadline: ;

Position Information


Posting Number S05267P
Position Title Grants and Contract Specialist III, Post Award - Research Administration
Department Research Administration
Location Arlington
Job Family Research
Position Status Full-time
Work Hours Standard
Work Schedule
Monday-Friday; 8:00am-5:00pm
100% remote available eligible for Texas residents only.
Open to External and Internal
Salary Salary is commensurate based on qualifications and relevant experience.
Duration Funding expected to continue
Pay Basis Monthly
Benefits Eligible Yes
Benefits at UTA
We are proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package to all our employees at the University.
To help you understand the full value of these benefits, we have created a tool that calculates the total worth of your compensation package. This tool takes into account all of the benefits that you are eligible for, including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. To access this tool and learn more about the total value of your benefits, please click on the following link:
https://resources.uta.edu/hr/services/records/compensation-tools.php
University Information
The University of Texas at Arlington is located in the heart of the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metroplex, a vibrant and diverse metropolitan area that is home to over 7 million people, one of the fastest-growing tech economies in the United States, and a wide array of arts, entertainment, and cultural activities. UTA is a comprehensive teaching, research, and public service institution dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through scholarship and creative work. The University is committed to providing access and ensuring student success, and to a culture of innovation, entrepreneurship, and commercialization of discoveries by our community of scholars. With an enrollment of more than 40,000 students, UTA is the second largest in the University of Texas System. As a result of its combination of rigorous academics and innovative research, UTA is designated as a Carnegie R-1 “Very High Research Activity” institution. UTA ranks No. 4 nationally in Military Times’ annual “Best for Vets: Colleges” list and is among the top 30 performers nationwide for promoting social mobility of its graduates (U.S. News & World Report, 2023). UTA is designated by the U.S. Department of Education as both a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI), and it has one of the top 5 most ethnically diverse undergraduate student bodies in the United States (U.S. News & World Report, 2023). Its approximately 270,000 alumni, including some who occupy leadership positions at many of the 24 Fortune 500 companies headquartered in North Texas, contribute to UTA’s $22.2 billion annual economic impact on Texas.
Furthermore, UTA is poised to experience widespread growth in the near future. The university recently launched the first phase of its RISE 100 initiative aimed at recruiting 100 new tenure-system faculty to amplify research standing and position UTA as a leader in key scholarly areas; more details are available at https://www.uta.edu/administration/president/strategic-plan/rise100 . The successful candidate for this position will have the opportunity to join UTA during an exciting period of growth and contribute as the university broadens its impact.
Job Summary
Provides Post-Award administrative guidance in the administration and processing of sponsored grant and contract projects. Develops and maintains contacts with sources of faculty research support. Provides support to researchers, departmental and center/institute administrators, regarding the allowability and allocability of research-related expenses and other compliance related activities. Responsible for administering and monitoring procedures designed to comply with and implement appropriate regulations relating to government and private research grants and/or contracts pertaining to the interpretation and application of such procedures and regulations.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
  • Monitors post award activities to ensure compliance for issues involving allowable costs, re-budgeting and reporting requirements, cost sharing and spending limitation, etc.
  • Facilitates, reviews and approves budget transfer and cost transfer requests in adherence with sponsoring agencies’ regulations and university policies and procedures.
  • Process and submit prior approval request to the sponsor that includes actions such as No Cost Extensions, budget transfer requests and requests for additional funds.
  • The Specialist drafts and submits these requests to the funding agency when necessary.
  • Serve as primary resource for post award grant questions; communicate with and recommend and advise faculty and staff regarding post award issues; requests corrections and resolve discrepancies; interpret rules, regulations and compliance issues with respect to sponsored awards.
  • Reviews and approves Purchase Orders and requisitions initiated by the department for capital equipment items and other large value purchases to be charged to sponsored award projects
  • Review and negotiate continuing projects and amendments to existing grants, contracts, cooperative agreements.
  • Update the award and associated project budget in the financial system in tandem with executed amendments and advanced spending forms
  • Works with the GCS II, PI and administrators to ensure appropriate close out of projects in accordance with the sponsor and university closeout guidelines and requirements
  • Work with GCS II to create and execute subaward agreements for all new and existing awards, as well as process budget changes, extensions, and closeout procedures during and throughout the life of the subaward.
  • Set up/update Subrecipient PO’s in the financial system as necessary
  • Serve as a resource to the Post Award GCS II regarding interpretation of guidelines and agency requirements.
  • Assists management in the preparation of ad-hoc reports.
  • Participates in special projects such as: development and presentation of training workshops, updating/ drafting procedure manuals and report development.
  • Initiate and negotiate subcontracts and sponsored research agreements on behalf of the University.
  • Normally receives no instructions on routine work and general instructions on new assignments with review of completed tasks.
Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s degree with five (5) years of experience in higher education OR, any equivalent combination of experience in research administration, and/or education from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Master’s Degree.
  • Working knowledge of PeopleSoft.
  • Solid ability to understand user needs, requirements and requests to identify priorities, escalates urgent/conflicting requests.
  • Solid and collegial interpersonal skills and an ability to communicate effectively in person, writing, and by phone.
  • Skill in establishing and maintaining effective professional working relationships.
  • Good understanding of overall unit objectives/goals with the ability to work effectively across boundaries with potential for conflict.
  • Skill in administering sponsored projects and post award functions.
  • Knowledge of budgeting and financial analysis.
  • Knowledge of costs principles, administrative requirements and specific agency guidelines and regulations as well as research methods.
  • Knowledge of computer applications and information dissemination technology.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
  • Working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint as well as familiarity with other commonly used software.
  • Critical thinking and problem solving skills.
  • Adept at navigating complex environments with evolving priorities and communication plans.
  • Ability to utilize strong cross unit knowledge and understand to overcome issues to achieve results.
  • Ability to prepare detailed documents reports, and/or related materials.
  • Provides analysis of data for identification of trends.
  • Ability to work both independently or within a complex structured team.
  • Exercises judgment within generally defined practices & policies in selecting methods & techniques for obtaining solutions.
  • Provides solutions to difficult technical issues associated with specific projects.
  • Ability to review contracts and legal documents and negotiate to an acceptable resolution.
Other Requirements
Working Conditions
Special Conditions for Eligibility
CBC Requirement
It is the policy of The University of Texas at Arlington to conduct a criminal background check on any applicant who is under final consideration for employment with the University.
EEO Statement
It is the policy of The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA or The University) to provide an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. In accordance with federal and state law, the University prohibits unlawful discrimination, including harassment, on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, disability, genetic information, and/or veteran status. The University also prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender identity, and gender expression. Retaliation against persons who oppose a discriminatory practice, file a charge of discrimination, or testify for, assist in, or participate in an investigative proceeding relating to discrimination is prohibited. Constitutionally-protected expression will not be considered discrimination or harassment under this policy. It is the responsibility of all departments, employees, and students to ensure the University’s compliance with this policy.
ADA Accommodations
The University of Texas at Arlington is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to 817-272-5554 or email [email protected] .


Posting Detail Information


Number of Vacancies 2
Open Until Filled
Minimum Number of References Required 3
Maximum Number of References Accepted 3
Special Instructions to Applicants
Applicants must include in their online resume the following information: 1) Employment history: name of company, period employed (from month/year to month/year), job title, summary of job duties and 2) Education: school name, degree type, and major.


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