Contracts and Grants Specialist

The Department of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Science (PTRS) at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (SOM) has an immediate opportunity available for a Contracts and Grants Specialist. This position coordinates and administers contracts and grants from proposal review and submission through award.   The Specialist will perform pre-award and post-award grant management for large center and program grants and contracts, spending 40% of time dedicated to Department activity and 60% of time dedicate to sponsored funding activity of a federally funded PI with an active pre-award portfolio. The Principal Investigator is an active faculty researcher and regularly submits federal grant proposals to the Department of Defense (DoD), DHHS, National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other private and federal sponsors. The Specialist will also be responsible for the PI’s pre-award activities, which include assisting in the development, preparation, and submission of these grant and contract proposals, ensuring all applications meet agency and university guidelines and deadlines.     In support of the Department grant management activity, the Specialist will work in collaboration with the Senior Pre-Award Research Coordinator on the development, preparation, and submission of grant proposals. The job duties would include 40% of time dedicated to the department and 60% working with the primary Principal Investigator.  The Specialist will also be responsible for preparing required budget reports for these awards, completing detailed reconciliation of assigned project budgets, preparing adjustments and corrections in assigned project budgets for further review and approval in order to meet project goals and federal requirements.  
 
UMB offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to eligible employees. This position receives an annual leave package starting with 22 accrued vacation days, 14 floating and observed holidays, 15 sick days, and 3 personal days; comprehensive health insurance and retirement options; professional learning and development opportunities; flexible schedules and teleworking options; and tuition remission for employees and their dependents at any of the University System of Maryland schools.   In the Fall of 2021, UMB will require all faculty, staff, and students to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Exemptions for medical or religious reasons will be processed through Human Resources.   Essential Functions:

• Provides contract and grant preparation review to understand requirements for the application process. Prepares guidelines for the submission. Provides the groundwork for the required application documents. Works with management to identify priorities of gathering and processing documents and develops contract requirements containing quantifiable specifications and measurable performance criteria. Reviews application forms, contract templates, correspondence, and selected agreements for appropriate presentation of compliance information. Develops timeline to meet submission deadlines and checklist of required documents. Generates required documents checklist for grant application.
• Manages financial and research coordination for foundation and federal grants, which includes expenditures, subcontracts, purchases, travel arrangements, and coordination of grant meetings. Financial data will be available for monthly review through UMB’s Quantum accounting systems and the procurement systems.  
• Acts as point of contact and develops relationships with UMB parties, sponsor, and sub-contractors to ensure the contract or grant short- and long-term milestones are met. Safeguards the integrity of the grant or contract administration.
• Prepares annual financial reports of expenditure, quarterly effort reports, performance reports, service and maintenance contracts, realigning budgets between cores and sites by monthly analysis including working with the grants and research coordinator at the other institutions and preparing and distributing monthly financial reports to PIs of each core.
• Navigates the Subcontract process through University systems and provides groundwork to partners to ensure partnership is in compliance with University standards.
• Collaborates with principal investigator (PI) and management to develop project plan by interpreting policy and procedure. Collaborate and coordinate with department management and leadership: Department Director of Finance, Sr. Pre-Award Research Coordinator, Director for Research Affairs, and Department Allied Health Administrator.
• Reconciles budget based on approved budget by sponsor. Provides current and historical budget data to project expenditures and forecast income. Works with staff on identified potential ledger variances.
• Prepares and reviews financial status reports and invoices. Organize the close out procedures with Faculty. Sets timelines to have the documents complete. Reviews final closeout.  Prepare budget projections and grant renewals, Just in Time requests, and Biosketches.
• Ensures all results are completed and submitted to sponsor. Identifies and assists in issue resolution and escalates as needed.
• Acts as point of contact and advises PI on all financial transactions, such as travel, purchasing, or subcontracting.
• Interprets and applies Federal, State, and sponsors guidelines and requirements.
• Reviews applications for funding and process. Prepares grant and contract budget and application in line with University and federal policy.
• Maintains and tracks required training documents and ensures all parties are in compliance with regulations.
• Performs other related duties and special projects as assigned.

  Qualifications      Education: Bachelor's degree.   Experience: Three (3) years of accounting, budget, contract, grant, or research administration experience.   Preferred Experience: Proficiency in Excel and other applications of the Microsoft Office suite. Experience with Kuali Research, Quantum Financials, and procurement.   Other: Financial disclosure reporting required by State of Maryland Ethics Committee.
  Related experience may be substituted for education.   Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:   Excellent oral and written communication skills are critical, ability to learn quickly and high-level attention to detail. Pre- and post-award skills.   Hiring Range: Commensurate with education and experience.   UMB is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law or policy. For assistance related to employment, please contact the Staffing department at HRJobs@umaryland.edu.   If you anticipate needing a reasonable accommodation for a disability under the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), during any part of the employment process, please submit a https://umbforms.wufoo.com/forms/umb-job-applicant-accommodation-request/" href="https://umbforms.wufoo.com/forms/umb-job-applicant-accommodation-request/" target="_blank">UMB Job Applicant Accommodation Request. You may also contact HRDiversity@umaryland.edu. Please note that only inquiries concerning an ADA request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.