ATSU - Proposal Development Specialist - MO

A.T. Still University of Health Sciences (ATSU) is seeking a Proposal Development Specialist for it's Sponsored Programs Department on the Kirksville, Missouri, campus. The position reports to the Director of Sponsored Programs. This professional's duties are predominantly intellectual and require advanced knowledge. The individual must exercise discretion and judgment in the highly specialized field of pre-award grantsmanship, including advanced funding analyses, programmatic conceptualization, competitive original grant writing/editing, and advanced grant budget development skills. Sponsored Programs (SP) consists of a fast-paced, service-oriented team responsive to the dynamic needs of the University. The proposal development specialist is a key SP pre-award team member, collaborating to provide grantsmanship expertise and grant-writing leadership to faculty, administration, and staff. The individual must excel at pre-award funding searches/analyses as well as leading/facilitating competitive extramural grant applications to federal, state, and/or foundation sources that align with ATSU's mission and strategic directions. The proposal development specialist also assists with post-award progress reporting/compliance and other specialized SP duties, as assigned.

Major Job Duties

• Research, analyze, and recommend SP funding opportunities based on institutional priorities;
• Identify/link ATSU programs to optimal external funding and serve as liaison between the University and funding agencies;
• Develop grant-related ideas/priority areas, forecast project needs, and write/prepare nationally competitive SP applications;
• Meet with and mentor deans, administrators, faculty, and stakeholders to develop funding strategies and secure grant funding;
• Handle/problem-solve incoming requests for SP assistance from ATSU faculty, staff, and students;
• Edit/write grant-related progress reports, special reports, and sub-award/ contractual agreements;
• Survey and keep abreast of professional literature relevant to ATSU priority areas/strategic directions, and
• Problem-solve/accomplish special projects assigned to Team SP.

Responsibilities:

• Prepare analyses of potential funding opportunities;
• Generate successful SP grant/contract applications, MOUs/MOAs, subawards, budgets, and reports;
• Research grant-related topics/demographics and cite relevant literature/evidence;
• Assist in daily SP operation;
• Nurture, mentor, and train doctoral-level faculty and professional staff on grant issues and skill building;
• Prioritize and issue grant-writing assignments and supervise team projects/proposals;
• Develop grant proposal budgets and narrative justifications;
• Perform grants management duties (e.g., fiscal/programmatic oversight and project reporting); and
• Manage/accomplish special projects as assigned.

Requirements

• Four year college degree or the equivalent combination of education/training and proven writing ability
• Excellent software capability (Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Google apps, etc.)
• High proficiency in conducting internet research and handling electronic submission of reports/applications
• Grantsmanship certification a plus, but may be obtained OTJ (e.g., Certified Grant Writer® professional credential or equiv.
  industry standard) to demonstrate proficiency in researching grant opportunities, conceptual program development, competitive proposal writing, preparing detailed grant budgets, and professional ethics. [See http://www.agwa.us/certifiedgrantwriterverification.]
• Applicants with proven writing skills and knowledge/experience in collaborative, team environments are
  preferred.
• Must represent SP and ATSU in a highly professional manner-both internally and externally
• Must perform in multiple levels of responsibility as needed
• Must be able to complete original projects based upon past experiences and problem-solving abilities, etc.
• Overtime and travel may be required, when necessary (e.g., during peak deadline cycles)
• This individual will be required to help ATSU leverage an increase in grant funding
• Must have two - three years experience with:
  • 1) grant/technical/creative writing, program development, proofreading, editing, and/or scientific writing;
  • 2) evaluating public/private funding sources;
  • 3) working in a highly productive, fast-paced, and sometimes stressful environment;
  • 4) working with multiple people and projects simultaneously;
  • 5) working autonomously and in a team environment; and
  • 6) managing multiple deadlines and priorities.
• Required skills
  • Service and team oriented
  • Receptive to coaching
  • Strong interpersonal communication
  • Excellent written and oral communication
  • Effective time management and organization
  • Advanced proofing and editing
  • Exceptional reading and comprehension
  • Critical thinking
  • Strong problem-solving
  • Staff leadership/project
  • Management experience
  • Diplomacy
  • Advanced computer skills (word processing, spreadsheets, database, presentation development, and other business applications/programs)
  • Self-starter
  • Continuous learner
• Required characteristics
  • Versatile, organized and willing to work under pressure of constant deadlines on varied and diverse projects/subjects
  • A self-starter who shows major initiative and dependability, assertive yet tactful
  • Highly resourceful, creative, and professional with ability to interact in a flexible and positive manner with contacts both within the University and externally
  • Able to give and receive constructive criticism and work closely and harmoniously with various grant/research team members, and especially faculty/deans