Staff Associate, Post-Award Grants Officer (Hybrid Work Environment)

About Worcester State University:

WORCESTER STATE UNIVERSITY is a liberal arts and sciences university with a long tradition of academic excellence dating back to 1874, as well as an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer that seeks to reflect the diversity of its community. Our workforce is dedicated to academic quality, student-centered programming, engaged citizenship, open exchanges of ideas, diversity and inclusiveness, and civility and integrity. We are looking for job applicants who share these values and commitment to our students.

Worcester State is centrally located in Massachusetts, about an hour's drive from Boston, Springfield, and Providence, Rhode Island. Our 58-acre campus is nestled in the residential northwest side of Worcester--the second largest city in New England and home to 37,000 college students at more than a dozen colleges and universities. Over 6,000 of those students attend Worcester State--approximately 5,300 are undergraduates and 1,000 are graduate students. Learn more about us at worcester.edu/about .


Job Description:

OFFICIAL TITLE: Staff Associate, Post Award Grants Officer
SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Director for the Office of Grants & Sponsored Research
SUPERVISION EXERCISED: May supervise student employees, as assigned

General Statement of Duties: The Staff Associate, Post Award Grants Officer is responsible for ensuring compliance with sponsored agency programmatic policies, guidelines, rules, and regulations, under the direction of the Director of the Office of Grants & Sponsored Research. The incumbent will provide technical assistance and support for grant-funded programs, facilitate the grant post-award process, and monitor post-award compliance. They will disseminate information related to awards and contract fulfillment activities, and support reporting activities. They will ensure diligent tracking and reporting of solicitation and award metrics.

Responsibilities:

(E) = Essential

1. (E) Provides university-wide support for grants, sponsored research, and externally funded projects.
2. (E) Serves as the primary contact, negotiator, and advisor between the University and external funding officers; supports principal investigators, project directors, and other university offices with post-award matters.
3. (E) Facilitates awarded grant administration activities and ensures timelines are met; disseminates relevant information to faculty and staff accordingly.
4. (E) Interprets and ensures compliance with agency rules, regulations, guidelines, etc., and assists principal investigator/program director in award compliance.
5. (E) Assists with grant orientation for new principal investigators, project directors, and other staff on policies, forms, and procedures required for sponsored projects.
6. (E) Assists with the preparation of funding agency reports, in conjunction with the principal investigator, program director, and/or accounting and finance.
7. (E) Acts as the department liaison for awarded grants to community organizations, government agencies, funding agencies, and university teams.
8. (E) Reviews and prepares information and reports for internal and external stakeholders; edits and organizes grant documents written by other faculty and staff; researches related information and data.
9. (E) Facilities workshops and provides technical assistance for faculty and staff; develops training materials accordingly.
10. (E) Develops data collection systems.
11. (E) Establishes calendar of reporting and closeout reminders for sponsored programs; reminds principal investigators and project directors of reporting deadlines.
12. (E) Acts as the compliance point of contact for all assigned projects; provides training, guidance, and advice to program staff on compliance issues and questions.
13. (E) Informs principal investigators and project directors of any compliance issues regarding grantor agency regulations, and disallowances with their program; assists in correcting discrepancies and monitors corrective actions.
14. (E) Works as a team with other departmental staff in performing department activities and assists the university with maintaining external funding.
15. Assists with non-competing continuation applications.
16. (E) Vets all issues outside of standard policies and procedures with Contracts and Grants Accounting and Finance and the Director of Grants.
17. (E) Performs document closeout of awarded projects.
18. (E) Maintains necessary records, files, reports, databases, and resource materials pertinent to Grants Office activities.
19. (E) Demonstrates civility and professional, customer-service oriented behavior, worthy of emulation by other staff and students.
20. (E) Responsible for contributing to the WSU Strategic Plan.
21. (E) Responsible for contributing to Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action objectives.
22. Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Public Affairs, Communications, English, Journalism, Education or a related field.
• At least three years of experience working with grants from both government and private funding sources, including experience with interpreting reporting requirements and funding guidelines, and monitoring budgets.
• Knowledge of grants and other external funding sources, effective project management techniques, education institutional policies and procedures, and post-award compliance best practices.
• Skills in designing, writing, and editing complex grant documents including reports, operating a computer and various supporting software packages, and leading and motivating staff who work for other managers.
• Ability to read, comprehend, interpret, and apply government regulations and proposal guidelines, explain policies and procedures, rules, and regulations in a clear and non-threatening manner, facilitate meetings and coordinate the work of teams, and work effectively independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to manage and prioritize projects effectively to meet office and proposal deadlines, and communicate effectively in oral and written form.
• Ability to successfully pass a thorough background check and CORI check.
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

Additional Information:

This is a full-time, benefited, exempt, professional APA position. The firm annual salary range for this position is $50,000 - $65,000, commensurate with relevant professional experience and education.

It is the policy of Worcester State University that all employees be vaccinated against COVID-19 before they begin employment. Proof of the COVID-19 vaccine is required of all individuals hired by WSU, to be verified after an offer of employment has been made, and as part of the background check process. Prospective employees may submit a request for exemption based on a religious and/or medical basis, to Human Resources.

Worcester State University offers a competitive benefits package that includes:

• a choice of 11 different pre-taxed, health insurance plan options
• a choice of pension or 401(a), and supplemental plan retirement options
• life insurance up to 8x the annual salary
• long-term disability coverage
• dental insurance
• 20 vacation days accrued per year
• 15 sick days accrued per year
• 5 personal days per year
• paid holidays
• tuition remission for self, spouse, and dependent children
• and more...

We are an equal opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. M/F/D/V. Members of traditionally underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.


Application Instructions:

Applicants must apply online and may do so by visiting www.worcester.edu/careers, and submitting a cover letter, resume, and the contact information of three professional references.

For assistance with uploading materials, log a ticket via the HelpDesk link, or contact us directly at 508-929-8053.

URL: www.worcester.edu