What are the responsibilities and job description for the Grant and Contract Specialist position at Rhode Island College?
The Office of Sponsored Programs supports proposal and budget development, ensuring regulatory compliance, and contracting. The department works collaboratively with faculty and staff to develop their ideas into fundable proposals. This focus helps to build college capacity for research and creative activities across all disciplines, benefiting the RIC campus community and beyond.
Primary Purpose
Support Principal Investigators by providing fiscal and administrative assistance and training for pre- and post-award grant and contract activities. Help to assure compliant financial management, reporting and communication between Principal Investigators (PIs), Sponsored Programs (pre-award) and Grant Accounting (post-award). Support activities that further the growth of the college’s research capacity. Report to the Director of the Office of Sponsored Programs.
Essential Duties
- Work with pre- and post-award offices to provide fiscal and administrative support for all Principal Investigators (PIs) seeking external funding.
- Serve as a proactive resource to PIs by developing knowledge of, and relationships with, the college’s grants-related administrative, financial, human resources, purchasing and other relevant offices to assure compliance and timeliness across the project life-cycle.
- Under the direction of the OSP Director, support and train faculty in relevant areas of grant budget management including, but not limited to, accessing and understanding financial reports, budget monitoring and budget projections.
- Support PIs in carrying out grant-related post-award tasks including, but not limited to, purchasing, travel arrangements and providing required documentation to support financial reporting done by Grant Accounting.
- Support the execution of timely grant expenditures through completion of online and paper requisitions, purchasing and hiring forms and other relevant documents.
- Work with PIs and pre-/post-award offices to ensure that timely and accurate no-cost extension requests, subawards and budget modifications are developed and submitted.
- Support PIs in proactively recognizing and addressing any potential fiscal barriers to successful grant management and project implementation.
- Learn relevant software packages, including PeopleSoft and GrantForward.
Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Director of Sponsored Programs.
Required Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities
- Excellent communication (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office package.
- Strong finance and administration skills.
- Highly advanced organizational skills.
- Demonstrated ability to plan and execute complex tasks.
- Demonstrated facility for multi-tasking; flexibility in shifting direction as new work priorities arise.
- A demonstrated proficiency in effective time management and the ability to meet deadlines
- Demonstrated commitment to equity and anti-racism.
- Demonstrated ability to use sound judgment; and work independently.
- Commitment to the mission, vision, values, and goals of Rhode Island College.
- Bachelor’s degree in relevant field.
- Three years of experience in grant management, and/or administration and understanding of current regulations governing fiscal management of federally sponsored programs.
- Technological proficiency to learn PeopleSoft financial systems.
- Bilingual in English / Spanish (fluent in speaking and writing).
- Knowledge of the rules and regulations and purchasing and spending policies of the State of Rhode Island and Rhode Island College Foundation.
The employee is not exposed to known adverse environmental conditions.
