Contract and Grant Officer (6206U), Sponsored Projects Office - #74267

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We are looking for equity-minded applicants who represent the full diversity of California and who demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds present in our community. When you join the team at Berkeley, you can expect to be part of an inclusive, innovative and equity-focused community that approaches higher education as a matter of social justice that requires broad collaboration among faculty, staff, students and community partners. In deciding whether to apply for a position at Berkeley, you are strongly encouraged to consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles, our Principles of Community, and our Strategic Plan.

At UC Berkeley, we believe that learning is a fundamental part of working, and our goal is for everyone on the Berkeley campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support this by providing all of our staff employees with at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year to engage in professional development activities. To find out more about how you can grow your career at UC Berkeley, visit grow.berkeley.edu.

Departmental Overview

The Sponsored Projects Office (SPO) is the Berkeley campus central administrative office with primary responsibility and delegated authority for liaison with government and non-profit extramural sponsors and is authorized by the Office of the President and the Chancellor to submit proposals and accept awards for research, instruction, fellowships, exhibits, performances, administrative activities and other public services. SPO reports to the Vice Chancellor for Research through the office of the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research Administration and Compliance (AVC-RAC).

SPO is responsible for all aspects of pre-award and non-financial post-award contract and grant administration. The SPO staff work closely with Berkeley faculty to submit over 3,000 proposals each year. In FY 23, over 1,600 new awards were received totaling over $1B. These external funds account for approximately one-third of Berkeley's annual operating budget. These awards come from federal and state agencies, local and foreign governments, foundations, corporations, and other outside organizations. SPO has stewardship responsibilities for extramural awards from all government, foundation and non-profit organizations for the campus.

SPO works to ensure that UC Berkeley is fully compliant with sponsor terms and conditions, University policies, and federal regulations and requirements.

Specifically, the Sponsored Projects Office is responsible for endorsing and authorizing proposals to, and interpreting, negotiating, and accepting contracts and grants from, federal and state agencies, foundations, and other public and private sources. SPO authorizes and initiates the set-up of sponsored project accounts through Extramural Funds Accounting, and prepares, issues and negotiates sub-awards for collaborative research. SPO is responsible for nonfinancial post-award administration, including changes after award, problem- solving and close-out. SPO also provides resources for identifying potential funding opportunities, and coordinates applications to programs with institutional limits on proposals.

Position Summary

The Contract and Grant Officer is responsible for the review, institutional approval and submissions of proposals to a variety of federal and non-federal sponsors. This role includes the review and negotiation of sponsor awards and agreements and processing non-financial post award actions. The Contract and Grant Officer provides advice and guidance regarding sponsored project administration to department administrators and Principal Investigators (PIs), works with sponsors to resolve proposal and award issues, and coordinates input from campus offices including Technology and Licensing, Legal Affairs, Risk Management, and a variety of research compliance offices.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: 11/22/2024.

Responsibilities

• Applies complex contracts and grants concepts to assigned departmental portfolio of significant volume and complexity.
• Independently reviews complex grant and contract proposals, obtains/verifies necessary compliance approvals, and recommends/negotiates needed changes to proposals with PIs and/or department administrators.
• Works on proposals of diverse scopes where analysis of data requires a thorough understanding of complex regulations and research administration concepts.
• Handles complex proposals that may involve multiple investigators and/or multiple sub-awards.
• Serves as an authorized institutional official approving proposals and awards transactions in accordance with delegated authority. Reviews, approves an authorizes submission of pre-award information requested by sponsor representatives.
• Negotiates terms and conditions of sponsored project agreements and awards from various sponsors.
• Authorizes establishment of contract and grant fund accounts.
• Reviews and approves or rejects requested advance fund setups.
• Guides and mentors less experienced officers in review and negotiation of proposals, awards and other transactions.
• Provides advice and guidance regarding sponsored projects administration to Department Administrators and PIs.
• Interprets policies for PIs, Department Administrators and entry level Administrators.
• Maintains and further develops knowledge of applicable federal, state, local, institutional and sponsor regulations, policies, and guidelines.
• Applies and further develops knowledge of complex research administration concepts, including Federal Acquisition Regulation, Code of Federal Regulations, sponsor-specific policies, intellectual property policy, conflict of interest requirements, publication rights, and application of indirect cost rates.
• Maintains and further develops knowledge of applicable compliance requirements related to use of human or animal subjects in research, financial conflict of interest, bio-safety, research security and other compliance areas.
• Develops professional relationships with sponsor representatives.
• Assists in support of audits in coordination with manager or director.

Required Qualifications

• Thorough understanding of research administration guidelines of federal and non-federal sponsors supporting research and educational activities.
• Thorough knowledge of applicable compliance requirements related to use of human or animal subjects in research, financial conflict of interest, biosafety, and other compliance areas.
• Demonstrated experience working with computer and information management systems.
• Ability to manage a significant volume of transactions.
• Ability to work independently and as a team member, research and resolve problems, meet deadlines and manage overlapping deadlines.
• Ability to maintain independent judgment; strong organization and communication skills; and a customer service focus across broad and diverse subject areas.
• Maintains current knowledge of compliance regulations in all areas of research administration.
• Strong writing skills in a variety of styles to draft persuasive text for different audiences while ensuring adherence to funding sponsor's guidelines.
• Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience with federal and non-federal proposals submissions and/or processing awards, preferably in a university environment.

Salary & Benefits

This is a 100% full-time (40 hrs a week) exempt career position, which is paid monthly and eligible for UC Benefits.

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted annual salary that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $72,600.00 - $96,000.00.

How to Apply

• To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

Other Information

• This is not a visa opportunity.
• This position is eligible for up to 95% remote work. Exact arrangements are determined in partnership with your supervisor to meet role responsibilities and department needs, and are subject to change.

Conviction History Background

This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. For more information about your rights as an applicant, please see the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission poster.

The University of California's Affirmative action policy.

The University of California's Anti-Discrimination policy.