Pre-Award Specialist (Extended Deadline)

OSPA Pre-Award operates in a fast-paced deadline-driven environment that requires strong organizational skills and the ability to work effectively under pressure. This position involves multifaceted responsibilities in support of faculty staff and students seeking external funding. The role requires ongoing training in regulations and compliance and includes representing the universitys interests throughout the proposal review and submission process.

Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience while also considering internal equity.

Duties include reviewing funding opportunity announcements and requests for proposals; ensuring compliance with sponsor university state and federal requirements; reviewing and developing proposal budgets using Excel; and submitting proposals to external sponsors.

1. Serve as the primary liaison between external sponsors and principal investigators for the review submission and acceptance of grant proposals on behalf of SIUC ensuring compliance with sponsor university state and federal requirements.
2. Coordinate assigned pre-award service functions within OSPA to support timely and accurate proposal submissions including reviewing funding opportunity announcements for eligibility requirements and submission instructions.
3. Collaborate with faculty and departmental staff to guide proposal development review budgets for allowability and accuracy and complete internal approval processes in accordance with university policies and sponsor guidelines.
4. Review grant proposals and sponsored project award documents to ensure compliance with applicable regulations and institutional policies protecting the interests of both the university and sponsoring agencies.
5. Respond to post-submission requests for information and clarify sponsor terms and conditions to ensure alignment with university policies and compliance requirements (e.g. HIPAA FERPA conflict of interest debarment).
6. Coordinate with appropriate campus stakeholders to resolve administrative compliance or contractual issues involving sponsors principal investigators and other key personnel.
7. Review award documentation to verify that required compliance approvals and assurances (e.g. IRB IACUC FCOI RCR export controls biological hazards) are in place and coordinate reviews with responsible offices as needed.
8. Apply effective written verbal and interpersonal communication skills while working collaboratively with OSPA teams to support continuous improvement of pre-award business processes and service delivery.
9. Utilize electronic research administration systems and other software tools to manage information maintain documentation and develop reference materials for internal and external use.
10. Perform other duties as assigned.
    

Minimum Qualifications:

Education:

• Bachelors degree is required.

Experience:

• One (1) year of experience in sponsored projects (grant) administration required (e.g. grant proposal preparation and submission) or equivalent experience supporting externally funded projects in a research nonprofit industry or government environment. Higher education experience is preferred but not required.

Skills and Abilities:

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications with strong Excel skills for budget development and review; ability to learn new systems and software applications.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to work effectively with faculty staff sponsors and internal stakeholders.
• Excellent organizational time-management and problem-solving skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines in a fast-paced deadline-driven environment.
• Exceptional attention to detail and ability to apply complex policies regulations and procedures accurately.
• Demonstrated commitment to customer service and a collaborative team-oriented approach to work.

Southern Illinois University Carbondale is an R1 Opportunity University with a statewide economic impact of $2.7 billion dollars. We offer 200 undergraduate degrees minors and specializations 79 masters degrees and 40 doctoral degrees. Our main campus is 1136 acres with additional acreage in University Farms Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center and other facilities. The university is an essential part of the city of Carbondale and an important contributor to the culture of the entire region. While Carbondale includes many of the amenities of urban life it retains its small-town flavor. Cost of living is considerably lower in the region than similar areas elsewhere and many employees commute from nearby counties.

The Southern Illinois region is distinct from the rest of the state boasting considerable natural beauty including the Shawnee National Forest many state parks national wildlife areas and several lakes beloved for recreation. Local foods are readily available in the area with a variety of eateries and a growing specialized food truck presence. The area is home to the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail an official wine appellation designation. The wineries extend the cultural reach of the community hosting live music and continual art exhibits. The campus itself is a microcosm of the area with a lake and forest on campus as well as traditional collegiate architecture quad and residential halls. Students enjoy outdoor study areas as well as specialized computer labs scattered across campus including in the three million volume Morris Library. To learn about employee benefits employee tuition waivers and find resources about Carbondale and the Southern Illinois region visit: Illinois University Carbondale is an equal opportunity affirmative action employer dedicated to building a community of excellence equity and diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex national origin ancestry age order of protection status genetic information marital status disabilitypregnancysexual orientation including gender identity unfavorable discharge from the military or status as a protected veteran. The university will comply with all federal and state nondiscrimination equal opportunity and affirmative action laws orders and regulations.