Grants And Contracts Administrator

The College of Natural Resources is a world leader in the sustainability and stewardship of the planet we share. Across a broad array of programs, we supply students with the technical expertise and hands-on experience they need to thrive out in the world. We encourage our award-winning faculty to work across disciplines and find innovative solutions to global challenges. And we partner with industry and government to put our research to work in communities everywhere.

For almost a century, the college has served vital industries in North Carolina - including the state's largest manufacturing sector, forest and wood products; its largest service sector, tourism; and more than half a million forest landowners. Together, these industries sustain more than half a million jobs and generate $50 billion in annual economic impact. But our research goes even farther afield: We're recognized globally as experts in sustainability, the management of land and water, and solutions at the intersection of built and natural environments. In keeping with NC State's land-grant mission, we're dedicated to securing a healthier, more sustainable future for all.

The College of Natural Resources Research Office works closely with the Office of Contracts and Grants, Office of Sponsored Programs and Regulatory Compliance Services, the Office of Research and Innovation, the Office of Finance and Business, and granting agencies on all pre and post award activities. The CNR Research office develops and submits grant and contract applications, processes and collaborates with negotiations, as well as the post award accounting management and overall grant oversight.

Essential Job Duties

This position will manage a complex portfolio of sponsored projects within the College of Natural Resources, overseeing the proposal submission, award management, and project closeout within compliance with the terms and conditions of the award and NCSU as well as ensuring all documentation is provided to the respective central offices for retention. The Accountant acts independently to make decisions and authorize actions throughout the life of the project, i.e. pre-award, award extensions, allowability of expenditures, approve HR actions and project modification requests (PMRs).

Duties will include (but are not limited to):

i. Proposal Development and Submission

Preparing, compiling and submitting proposals for grant and contracts for the designated portfolio of faculty members (Principle Investigators) through NCSU portals (PINS) and sponsors electronic portals, i.e. grants.gov, research.gov and NIH Assist.

Work with the principle Investigators (PIs) on developing the budgets, budget justifications and other related documents to support of new grant applications following university and agency rules, regulation and compliance.

Create PINS records for faculty, collaborate with the on campus offices during the submission of the proposal, and provide training to faculty within the portfolio on CNR business process for submitting proposals.

ii. Grant Compliance and Regulatory Oversight

Knowledge of applicable Federal Regulations (2CFR 200-Uniform Guidance), Agency General and Specific Regulations, State of NC Regulations, and NCSU regulations, policies, and procedures is required. Interprets and analyzes guidelines, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures relating to sponsored research. Knowledge of all internal business systems is required (PINS, ePAR, PeopleSoft HR and Financial).

Keeping up-to-date on compliance rules and regulations of NC State and agencies, i.e. USDA, NSF, DOE, DOD, NASA, and NIH.

iii. Budget Development and Financial Management

Financial management and analysis of grant activity to include reporting and projections of grant spending to provide Principal Investigators with accurate and timely financial information.

Understanding and applying accounting principles and practices to a variety of accounting, budgeting, forecasting, and other fiscal functions to the contracts and grants (ledger 5).

iv. Grant Award Management

Reviewing new awards, procedures, regulations and conducting new award meetings to inform the lead PI and all other parties involved on requirements of the new award.

Subcontract and sub award management, including setting up new sub awards and ensuring compliance with reporting requirements and deadlines.

Initiating and obtaining agency and/or university approvals through the PMR system when required for the following actions on ledger 5 projects: re-budgeting, equipment acquisition, travel, no-cost extensions, pre-award account numbers, and pre-award costs; preparing online journal vouchers and interdepartmental transfers; and preparing budget projections for PIs when requested.

Reviewing human resource expenditures and travel vouchers/reimbursements for accuracy and compliance.

Monitoring accounts to ensure compliance with Cost Accounting Standards (Federal), the State of North Carolina and NCSU guidelines, federal and state guidelines and sponsor terms and condition.

v. Grant Monitoring and Reporting

Working independently to provide financial reports, budget consultation, and assist faculty with all aspects of project fiscal management and financial reporting.

Assisting with sponsor required reporting, progress and financial reports

Effort entry, review and variance review and correction.

Project and budget forecasting reporting and providing guidance on future expense planning

Cost share tracking and reporting, including ensuring appropriate back up documentation is kept on file.

vi. Grant Closeout

Initiate the closeout process for contracts and grants (ledger 5) accounts, ensures all direct costs for the project have been accounted for, ensure departmental policies and procedures are followed, and obtain approval from PI and Department Heard before submitting all final documentation.

Completing all final financial reconciliation, archiving grant files, preparing and ensuring final submission of any required reports.

vii. Communication and Relationship Management

Serve as a liaison between Principle Investigator (PI), College, University, and agency during proposal submission and in preparing PMRs (e.g., subcontract requests, re-budget, change in PI, NCE, etc.).

Demonstrates confidentiality and organization in record retention for internal control and audit for both sponsored projects.

Provide guidance and technical assistance on the management of their federal, state, and other grants funds.

Other Responsibilities

Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience

Require post-baccalaureate credentials plus 1-2 years experience; a bachelor's degree and 2-4 years experience may be substituted for the advanced degree on an exceptional basis.

Other Required Qualifications

• Previous contracts and grants experience;

• Proficiency in MS Excel;

• Strong organizational and communication skills;

• Must demonstrate a proactive, collaborative and customer focused work style;

• Ability to learn processes and systems quickly and be flexible to change and organizational growth;

• Must demonstrate strong computer and web-based experience to include strong skills with Microsoft Office products (i.e. Word and Excel) and Google Apps (ie: Drive, Docs, Forms, Sheets) as well as demonstrated capabilities to use proprietary software packages and web-based financial management systems;

• Knowledge of accounting principles and practices with the ability to plan budgets;

• Ability to interpret and apply complete Federal and State fiscal regulations to analyze and correct accounting and financial problems and errors;

• Ability to establish effective working relationships with business and program personnel;

• Must demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication skills as well as excellent organizational and problem solving skills;

• Attention to detail, ability to work under pressure;

• Ability to assess and resolve unprecedented problems that require research and review of policy and procedures, and regulations;

• Apply judgment for problem resolutions or program requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefer 3+ years of university experience in Contracts and Grants.

• Experience with PeopleSoft Financials, PINS, RADAR, Grants.gov, NSF Fastlane.

• Knowledgeable of University research administration (Pre and Post-Award), Cost Accounting Standards, Budget Development and Federal, State and University policies and procedures.

• Understanding of audit requirements and a thorough knowledge of government accounting methods and procedures, financial practices, federal circulars, governmental accounting standards board (GASB), fund accounting, budgeting, and state and university policies and regulations.

• Knowledgeable of sponsored research process and procedures, as well as experienced in pre- award and closeout process for sponsored research.

Required License(s) or Certification(s)

N/A

Valid NC Driver's License required No Commercial Driver's License required No