Senior Award Administrator - OSPA

Position Title:
Senior Award Administrator - OSPA

Job Group:
Professional & Scientific

Required Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree and 5 years of related experience

Preferred Qualifications:
Advanced degree.
Certified Research Administrator (CRA).
Experience negotiating grants, contracts and cooperative agreements.
Experience applying the concepts embodied in the Code of Federal regulations including 2 CFR Part 200 (Uniform Guidance) and Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR).
Experience that demonstrates knowledge of research administration software systems and fund/grant accounting principles and practices.
Experience with budget review and post-award modifications.
Experience creating and delivering training presentations and materials.
General knowledge of research compliance requirements including human/animal subjects, conflict of interest, export controls and foreign influence.

Job Description:

The Office of Sponsored Programs Administration (OSPA) at Iowa State University is currently seeking candidates for a Senior Award Administrator, which will be classified as a Research Administrator III. The Research Administrator III will be responsible for ensuring day-to-day operations for a research facility, center, institute, or university-wide research function.

This position will be responsible for:

• Independently reviewing, analyzing, developing, negotiating, and executing a wide variety of contracts and agreements under signature authority delegated by the Director of OSPA.

• Ensuring compliance with ISU internal policies, sponsor guidelines, and federal regulations (2 CFR 200, FAR, DFAR).

• Serving as a resource to faculty, staff, and grant coordinators in the administration of such contracts, and agreements.

• Analyzing requests for subrecipient agreements including risk assessment and subrecipient monitoring.

• Independently developing, negotiating, and executing subcontracts and subcontract amendments off ISU prime contracts/agreements under delegated signature authority. 

• Communicating with faculty, staff, sponsors, and sub-recipients on the pre and post-award management of contracts, agreements, and subcontracts.

• Arranging and leading meetings to discuss award/subcontract terms and conditions as well as strategies for negotiating or developing contracts, agreements, and subcontracts.

• Ensuring award and negotiation data are accurately entered into OSPA database systems to enable ISU’s administration to create accurate reports.

• Collaborating with Offices of University Counsel, Responsible Research, Research Integrity, Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer, Sponsored Programs Accounting, Procurement Services, and others to ensure award compliance with sponsor and ISU policies.

• Providing just-in-time guidance or materials for understanding and implementing sponsor-specific regulations and requirements.

This is a 3 year, regular with term appointment(fixed term) position with the opportunity for renew.

This position offers the opportunity to work remotely but does require the employee to reside in the state of Iowa on or before start of employment.

Level Guidelines
• Senior-level position possessing high-level professional and/or technical skills working independently under minimal supervision to support ISU’s mission and department or work unit goals
• Applies senior-level professional knowledge and expertise to work requiring greater latitude
• Solves moderately complex problems and regularly exercises judgment to determine appropriate action
• Regularly exercises judgment to resolve problems and determine appropriate action on a broad set of issue and problems. May provide recommendations regarding problems/issues outside the bounds of defined procedures and practices
• Responds to complicated inquiries, provides training, and provides direction to lower-level staff
• May provide supervision for one to two other staff (i.e., leads a small work team)
• May lead projects for which well-defined practices and procedures may not exist
• Provides guidance to students

Appointment Type:
Regular with Term Appointment (Fixed Term)

Proposed End Date or Length of Term:

April 30, 2027

Number of Months Employed Per Year:
12 Month Work Period

Time Type:
Full time

Pay Grade:
PS810

Application Instructions:

To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:
1) Resume/Curriculum Vitae
2) Letter of Application/Cover Letter
If you have questions regarding this application process, please email [email protected] or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.
Why Choose ISU?
Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental; as well as:
• Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
• Generous vacation, holiday and sick time and leave plans
• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)
• Life insurance and long-term disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Various voluntary benefits and discounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellbeing program
• Iowa State offers WorkFlex options for some positions. WorkFlex offers flexibility on when, where, and how you do your work. For more information, please speak with the Hiring Manager.

Original Posting Date:
March 29, 2024

Posting Close Date:
April 14, 2024

Job Requisition Number:
R14337