UConn Careers

JOB SUMMARY

Pratt & Whitney Institute for Advanced Systems Engineering (PW-IASE) in the College of Engineering seeks applicants for a full-time position as a Grants and Contracts Specialist to provide post-award grant management. Under the direction of the Director and/or the Associate Director of Research PW-IASE, the incumbent will provide day-to-day management and oversight of a high-volume of funded projects/grant accounts and maintain a complete set of records of financial transactions along with providing faculty support in all aspects of grant administration.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintains detailed knowledge, budget, and records of each sponsored project and offers full assistance for all matters of post-award management throughout each stage of the award lifecycle.
• Provides technical assistance, training, and advice to faculty, University Administration, and other professional staff on the preparation and submission of budgets in grant proposals. Meets with faculty investigators and research teams to explain services and procedures, communicate financial information, and assist with account planning as needed.
• Routinely reviews fiscal and transactional aspects of each project account to ensure fund use is compliant with sponsor agency guidelines, and award specifications (including matters of personnel, travel, equipment, supplies, matching funds, other direct costs, project-specific budget lines, etc.), federal and state statutes, and University policy.
• Upholds routine internal controls in accordance with unit and University expectations.
• Processes no-cost extensions, re-budgets, and cost transfers on grant and contract accounts, and interprets and reviews personnel commitments for both paid and unpaid effort, ensuring data is correctly certified within the University’s Effort Reporting System.
• Regularly communicates financial information regarding grant accounts to faculty members and administrators, including new awards, remaining balances, anticipated payroll expenses, sub-recipient invoices, forecasts, and projections.
• Works closely with Sponsored Programs Services (SPS) Post-award to prepare and verify quarterly financial reporting and award closeout reports.
• Serves as liaison between university administration, faculty, and granting agencies.
• Recommends solutions, re-budgets, and negotiates changes when conflicts arise with contract provisions or grant requirements. 
• Responds promptly to correspondence with administrators from other units, institutions, and sponsor contacts.
• Interprets and prepares budgets and financial reports and processes financial transactions.   Maintains records and writes and submits monthly research and scholarship informational reports.
• Works independently to analyze available information, draw conclusions and understandings, and present such conclusions effectively to the center director, faculty, and SPS as requested.
• Assists in obtaining approvals necessary for sponsored grants, contracts, subcontracts, and other agreements.
• Participates in policy discussions and recommends policy or procedural changes as appropriate to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
• Administers and maintains an awarded contract in compliance with university policies and contracted statutes, regulations, and procedures.
• Analyzes and resolves a variety of technical grant, financial, and contract problems.
• Maintains an internal grant management database with grant submissions and related account information.
• Performs related duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

1. Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business, or a related field and four years of related experience. An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
2. Excellent customer service and problem-solving skills.
3. Ability to work independently and in a team setting and exercise sound judgment.
4. Demonstrated effective and clear written and verbal communication.
5. Working knowledge of federal laws and regulations regarding grants and contracts; or equivalent translatable experience.
6. Possess effective time management, follow-through, and organizational skills.
7. Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
8. Proficient in using Microsoft products and software applications, especially Excel.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

1. Experience working in a higher education setting.
2. Demonstrated experience working with diverse student, administrative, and faculty populations.
3. Experience working in a high-volume, high-production environment.
4. Knowledge of federal and state laws, regulatory requirements, and University policies governing the planning, application development, and management of research grants and contracts.
5. Experience working with UConn electronic systems (KFS, Webfocus, InfoEd, HuskyBuy, CoreCT).

APPOINTMENT TERMS

This is a full-time, permanent position in an in-person work environment. The University offers a competitive salary, and outstanding benefits, including employee and dependent tuition waivers at UConn, and a highly desirable work environment. For additional information regarding benefits visit: https://hr.uconn.edu/health-benefits/.

Other rights, terms, and conditions of employment are contained in the collective bargaining agreement between the University of Connecticut and the University of Connecticut Professional Employees Association (UCPEA). 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.

TO APPLY

Please apply online at https://hr.uconn.edu/jobs, Staff Positions, Search #498806 to upload a resume, cover letter, and contact information for three (3) professional references.

This job posting is scheduled to be removed at 11:55 p.m. Eastern time on January 13, 2024. 

All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics which may be found at http://www.ct.gov/ethics/site/default.asp.

All members of the University of Connecticut are expected to exhibit appreciation of, and contribute to, an inclusive, respectful, and diverse environment for the University community.

The University of Connecticut aspires to create a community built on collaboration and belonging and has actively sought to create an inclusive culture within the workforce. The success of the University is dependent on the willingness of our diverse employee and student populations to share their rich perspectives and backgrounds in a respectful manner. This makes it essential for each member of our community to feel secure and welcomed and to thoroughly understand and believe that their ideas are respected by all. We strongly respect each individual employee’s unique experiences and perspectives and encourage all members of the community to do the same. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

The University of Connecticut is an AA/EEO Employer.