GRANTS SPECIALIST 2071

6/16/89 B

This is the first class in the series of classes responsible for the administrative management of sponsored programs. Positions in this class administer activities which are necessary to the application for and management of contractual grant programs in an academic department or central control unit of a college, university, or state agency. This class is distinguished from the Grants Administrator class by the latter's responsibility for a greater number and complexity of grants, a wider variety of contract stipulations, and/or the additional assignment of general administrative responsibilities associated with department operations.

Complexity of Work: Performs work of moderate difficulty related to the administrative management of sponsored grant programs. Provides technical assistance and guidance to principal investigators, faculty, department admin istrators, and graduate students on grant proposal preparation and award admin istration; designs and presents workshops and writes guidelines on these areas; interprets related policies and procedures; assists in locating external sponsors; and maintains a resource library. Authorizes grants and contract accounting; approves purchases and expenditures; prepares proposed budget requests and revisions; maintains accounting records; prepares reports; and assigns bookkeep ing and clerical tasks to subordinate staff. May conduct direct negotiations with representatives of sponsoring agencies in setting or classifying specific terms or contracts. Interprets stipulations of individual research projects as well as general requirements of sponsoring agencies. Maintains required records on project grants. Related activities may include the procurement of scientific and administrative materials, supplies, and equipment; and report preparation.

Supervision Given: Supervision is typically not a factor; however, some positions in this class may provide general supervision or guidance to office services staff.

Supervision Received: Receives general supervision from a department head, program director, or other higher level administrative position.

Scope: The work influences the administration of a limited number of research grants in a small department of a college, university, or state agency.

Impact of Actions: Positions in this class impact the continuing fiscal and resource support to assigned sponsored resource programs. Errors in the work may jeopardize funding from sponsoring agencies.

Personal Contacts: Frequent internal and external contacts with department heads, principal investigators, and sponsoring agencies to provide information and to negotiate and administer contracts/grants.

Knowledge: Working knowledge of sponsored grant program administration; of basic principles of business management; and of accounting and budget preparation principles and practices.

Skills: Working skill in the operation of personal computers.

Abilities: Demonstrated ability to interpret research contracts and government regulations; to perform administrative activities related to sponsored research programs including some basic accounting functions; and to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with administrative officials, principal investigators, and representatives of research grant sponsors.

QUALIFICATIONS GUIDE*

Licenses or Certification: None.

Education or Training: Graduation from an accredited college or university with course work in public administration, accounting, business administration or a related field.

Level and Type of Experience: Experience in business administration preferably with grant/contract administration in a sponsored research program environment.

An equivalent combination of training and experience indicating possession of the preceding knowledge and abilities may substitute for this education and experience.

This class was revised in June 1989 as a result of the statewide Classification Review/Specification Update Program. This class replaces the Research Administrative Officer A class.