Grant Specialist

University of Colorado | Denver

Official Title: Research Services Senior Professional – Principal Professional (Open-Rank)

Working Title: Grant Specialist (Open-Rank)

FTE: Full-time

Salary Range: Senior Professional: $66,777 - $73,806 & Principal Professional: $75,560 - $80,000

Position #00685507 – Requisition #32940

About the University of Colorado - Denver

The University of Colorado Denver is the state’s premier public urban research university and equity-serving institution. Globally connected and locally invested, CU Denver partners with future-focused learners and communities to design accessible, relevant, transformative educational experiences for every stage of life and career. Across seven schools and colleges in the heart of downtown Denver, our leading faculty inspires and works alongside students to solve complex challenges through break through innovations and impactful research, and creative work. As part of the state’s largest university system, CU Denver is a major contributor to the Colorado economy, with 2,000 employees and an annual economic impact of $800 million. For more information, visit ucdenver.edu .

* Applications are accepted electronically ONLY at www.cu.edu/cu-careers *

The School of Education & Human Development (SEHD) at the University of Colorado Denver announces a full-time Grant Specialist position.

The School of Education & Human Development (SEHD) is home to faculty and staff who are actively engaged in sponsored research activity. The SEHD also houses several externally funded centers: The National P-3 Center, The Evaluation Center, and The PAR2 A (Paraeducator Resource & Research) Center. These centers are self-funded through grants, contracts, gifts, and fee-for-service revenue. The Grant Specialist is responsible for the application of and compliance with Federal, State, Private Foundation, and University policies and procedures as they relate to grant and contracts life-cycle administration. This position will perform life-cycle grants administration (both pre- and post-award duties) and manage a portfolio of active grants in addition to regular proposal submissions. This position will provide technical and financial expertise to Principal Investigators (PIs) in development, submission, receipt, post-award administration, and reporting. This position will serve as a SEHD grants and contracts liaison with SEHD centers, PIs and grant staff, sponsors, the CU Denver Office of Grants and Contracts, and other CU Denver departments. The Grant Specialist reports to the SEHD Assistant Dean of Finance and HR. 

• Develops proposal budgets and routing documents in partnership with the Principal Investigators and Assistant Dean.

• Creates proposals in InfoEd system and submits them for internal review and approval.

• Assists PIs with coordination of subcontracts and monitoring subrecipients.

• Assist PIs and grant staff with compliance areas such as human subjects, personnel effort reporting, and conflict of interest as it pertains to sponsored research.

• Develops and maintains templates for use within SEHD (i.e. budget narratives, subcontract documents, standard contracts, etc.)

• Interfaces with the Office of Research Services to pair funding opportunities with SEHD faculty.

• Coordinates fee-for-service contracts for SEHD Centers as necessary. May include contract preparation and review, routing, and subsequent invoicing by SEHD.

• Assists with overseeing progress report deadlines. Reminds faculty of progress report deadlines, instructions, and processes. Prepares financial reports and cover sheets for authorized official representative’s signature as needed. Prepares materials for non-competing renewals and submits to OGC in a timely manner.

• Provides regular financial reports to PIs.

• Keeps tracking system of SEHD proposals and awards and provides reports to SEHD leadership.

• Prepares prior approval requests, carry-forward requests, amendments, and no-cost extensions.

• Works with PIs and grant staff to close out awards properly and in a timely manner.

• Works with other SEHD administrative staff to coordinate HR, procurement, accounting transactions necessary for sponsored research and ensures compliance.

• Performs procurement-related duties and as-needed journal entries and payroll expense transfers.

• Provides OGC Accounting with billing documentation as necessary. Some direct billing and accounts receivable

This description is a summary only and describes the general level of work being performed; it is not intended to be all-inclusive. The duties of this position may change from time to time and/or based on business need. We reserve the right to add or delete duties and responsibilities at the discretion of the supervisor and/or hiring authority.

The continuance of this appointment will be based on merit/performance, and availability of funding. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. CU Denver offers a competitive benefits package including paid holidays, vacation (4 weeks per year), and sick leave (3 weeks per year); insurance covering medical, dental, and vision, and retirement plans with generous matches. See the full benefits offered here.  

At the Senior Professional level, work involves creating, integrating, applying and sharing knowledge directly related to a professional field. Work is performed fully independently. 

At the Principal Professional level, work is performed at an advanced or expert level. Principal Professionals are either work leads over others or are considered a subject matter expert in a particular area.

Qualifications you already possess (Minimum Qualifications)

Senior level:

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and 2 years of professional level experience in sponsored project administration.    

  • Substitution: A combination of education and related technical/paraprofessional experience may be substituted for the bachelor’s degree on a year for year basis.

Principal level:

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and 3 years of professional level experience in sponsored project administration. 

  • Substitution: A combination of education and related technical/paraprofessional experience may be substituted for the bachelor’s degree on a year for year basis.

Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

• Four (4) or more years of pre- and post-award experience in sponsored project administration.

• Three (3) or more years of experience with InfoEd Proposal Development System or similar grants submission software.

• Special consideration for applicants with experience in pre- and post-award contracts and grant administrations in an academic setting. 

• Experience working with CU Marketplace, CU Data, and PeopleSoft HCM and Finance or similar software.

• Experience in interpreting and applying policies from a variety of funding structures (federal, state, foundation, and institutional) and serving as a resource to others.

• Master’s degree in accounting, finance, business, business administration, or a directly related field from an accredited institution.

• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees at all levels throughout the institution.

• Ability to plan, organize, and meet deadlines, work under pressure, and organize multiple projects or tasks.

• Outstanding customer service skills.

• Demonstrated commitment and leadership ability to advance diversity and inclusion.

• Demonstrated ability to use spreadsheets, word processing, email, and calendar software.

• Knowledge of higher education sponsored research, grant writing and administration.

• Knowledge of federal grant and contract regulations and policies.

• Demonstrated strong interpersonal, human relations and customer service skills.

• Remote: This position is eligible to work remotely, but the employee must be located in the United States.

• Hybrid: If the employee is local, the position is required to be hybrid with on-campus work in the downtown Denver office 2-3 days per week. 

As of 7/1/2023, The University of Colorado recommends employees be fully vaccinated from the COVID-19, but is not required. COVID recommendations and information can be found at: https://www.ucdenver.edu/coronavirus

The salary range (or hiring range ) for this position has been established at $66,777 - $73,806 (Senior Professional) & $75,560 - $80,000 (Principal Professional).  

The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training.

The above salary range (or hiring range ) represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

This position is not eligible for overtime compensation.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado Denver provides generous leave, health plans and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

Benefits: https://www.cu.edu/employee-services/benefits

Total Compensation Calculator: http://www.cu.edu/node/153125

• Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. 

• Priority will be given to applications submitted by March 31, 2024.

• Potential dates for interviews with the search committee and appointing authority are the week of April 1, 2024.

• A potential employee start date is May 1, 2024.

To apply, please visit: http://www.cu.edu/cu-careers and attach:

The University of Colorado Denver strives to maintain a safe and productive educational, clinical, research and employment environment. All prospective employees and current employees must, therefore, consent to and pass background checks prior to any final appointment/employment.

The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at [email protected] ​.

The University of Colorado Denver is committed to recruiting, retaining, and promoting diverse faculty and staff. The university strives to promote a culture of inclusiveness, respect, communication and understanding. We encourage applications from Black, Indigenous, and people of color, women, persons with disabilities, persons within the LGBTQ+ community, and veterans. The University of Colorado is committed to diversity and equity in education and employment.

The School of Education & Human Development’s diversity statement is available here: https://education.ucdenver.edu/about-us/equity-diversity-inclusion   

Questions about the position should be directed to Patricia Ball, [email protected]

Questions about the application process should be directed to: SEHD HR, [email protected]