Contract and Grant Officer (6207U), Sponsored Projects Office - 65744

About Berkeley

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We are looking for equity-minded applicants who represent the full diversity of California and who demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds present in our community. When you join the team at Berkeley, you can expect to be part of an inclusive, innovative and equity-focused community that approaches higher education as a matter of social justice that requires broad collaboration among faculty, staff, students and community partners. In deciding whether to apply for a position at Berkeley, you are strongly encouraged to consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles, our Principles of Community, and our Strategic Plan.

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Departmental Overview

The Sponsored Projects Office (SPO) is the Berkeley campus central administrative office with primary responsibility and delegated authority for liaison with government and non-profit extramural sponsors and is authorized by the Office of the President and the Chancellor to submit proposals and accept awards for research, instruction, fellowships, exhibits, performances, administrative activities and other public services. SPO reports to the Vice Chancellor for Research through the office of the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research Administration and Compliance (AVC-RAC).

SPO is responsible for all aspects of pre-award and non-financial post-award contract and grant administration. The SPO staff work closely with Berkeley faculty to submit over 3,000 proposals each year. In FY 23, over 1,600 new awards were received totaling over $1B. These external funds account for approximately one-third of Berkeley's annual operating budget. These awards come from federal and state agencies, local and foreign governments, foundations, corporations, and other outside organizations. SPO has stewardship responsibilities for extramural awards from all government, foundation and non-profit organizations for the campus.

SPO works to ensure that UC Berkeley is fully compliant with sponsor terms and conditions, University policies, and federal regulations and requirements.

Specifically, the Sponsored Projects Office is responsible for endorsing and authorizing proposals to, and interpreting, negotiating, and accepting contracts and grants from, federal and state agencies, foundations, and other public and private sources. SPO authorizes and initiates the set-up of sponsored project accounts through Extramural Funds Accounting, and prepares, issues and negotiates sub-awards for collaborative research. SPO is responsible for nonfinancial post-award administration, including changes after award, problem- solving and close-out. SPO also provides resources for identifying potential funding opportunities, and coordinates applications to programs with institutional limits on proposals.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: March 23, 2024

Responsibilities

Leadership:

• Uses advanced research administration concepts to manage a high volume and high complexity portfolio.
• Works independently to assess complex grant, contract and subcontract transactions where analysis requires an in-depth evaluation of variable factors.
• Guides less experienced administrators in the review of financial and administrative management requirements of research contract and grant proposals, awards and transactions to ensure compliance with institutional and sponsor policies.
• Serves as authorized institutional official in the approval of proposals and awards in accordance with delegated authority, including review and signature of work of less experienced staff.
• Serves as a technical specialist in a particular area, such as federal contracts, state contracts, subcontracts or information systems.

Expertise:

• Processes highly complex proposals and awards such as grants/contracts which require task budgets, option years, multiple investigators and multiple sub- awards.
• Obtains/verifies necessary compliance approvals, and recommends/negotiates needed changes to proposals with PIs and/or department administrators.

Authority:

• Approves and authorizes submission of pre-award update information requested by sponsor representatives before issue of awards.
• Negotiates terms and conditions of complex research grant, contract and subcontract proposals and awards from various sponsors.
• Prepares and negotiates subcontracts under University awards.

Policy:

• Authorizes establishment of contract and grant fund accounts.
• Reviews and approves or rejects requested advance setups or research account updates.
• Provides guidance and counsel on research policy to principal investigators, departmental administrators and less experienced SPO staff.
• Interprets policy, monitors administrative requirements and analyzes financial aspects of complex, awarded projects with campus-wide impact.

Award Management and Documentation:

• Ensures complete and accurate collection of research administration data at all stages of the contract and grant life cycle.
• Ensures maintenance of research accounts in SPO and EFA databases on a current basis.

Mentorship:

• Orients and trains new administrators and provides guidance to less experienced staff, especially with regard to complex contract and subcontract review and negotiation.
• Serves as source of expertise for department administrators and principal investigators campus wide.

Knowledge:

• Uses full familiarity with applicable federal, state, institutional and sponsor regulations, policies and guidelines to interpret policy for others.
• Maintains in-depth knowledge of and ability to interpret and apply Federal Acquisition Regulation, Code of Federal Regulations, sponsor-specific policies, intellectual property policy, conflict of interest requirements, publication rights, application of indirect cost rates and other complex concepts in research administration.
• Maintains professional relationships with sponsor representatives.

Compliance:

• Ensures that PIs maintain appropriate approvals from applicable compliance committees.
• Maintains communication with compliance review committees to learn of current issues and new requirements.

Audit:

• Assists and directs external or internal auditors in their examination of active and terminated projects.

Required Qualifications

• Extensive experience with Federal Acquisition Regulations, Code of Federal Regulations, sponsor-specific policies, intellectual property policy, conflict of interest requirements, publication rights, applications of indirect cost rates, and other complex concepts in research administration.
• Ability to maintain knowledge of and interpret and apply sponsor, institutional and departmental policies.
• Ability to manage high volume and complex transactions.
• Experience with all types of award mechanisms, including grants, contracts, subcontracts, cooperative agreements.
• Independent judgment and strong organization and communication skills and a customer service focus.
• Ability to interpret policy for others.
• Ability to stay current on compliance regulations in all areas of research administration.
• Advanced knowledge of program administration guidelines of Federal and non-Federal sponsors supporting research and educational activities, preferably in a university environment.

Education/Training:

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.

Salary & Benefits

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $85,800.00 - $109,000.00.

• This is a 100%, full-time (40 hours per week), career position that is eligible for full UC benefits.
• This position is exempt and paid monthly.
• This is a remote-friendly position, eligible for up to 100% remote capability.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

Conviction History Background

This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

Other Information

This position is posted as a Senior Contract & Grant Officer (Research Administrator 4. There is also a Contracts & Grants Officer (Research Administrator 3) posting: Contract and Grant Officer (6206U), Sponsored Projects Office - #65743. Applicants are encouraged to review both positions to determine the best match for their skills and experience. If you wish to be considered for either position or are unsure, please apply for both positions.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. For more information about your rights as an applicant, please see the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission poster.

For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy, please see the University of California Discrimination, Harassment, and Affirmative Action in the Workplace policy.



To apply, visit https://careerspub.universityofcalifornia.edu/psp/ucb/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM.HRS_APP_SCHJOB.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=21&JobOpeningId=65744&PostingSeq=1