Pre-Award Grants Specialist

The Office of Research, led by the Chief Research Officer, partners and collaborates with the different programs, assets, and resources across ECU campuses and facilities along with the UNC designated centers and institutes. The Office of Research provides oversight of ECU's research enterprise, including grant administration and ethical practices; ensures compliance with the federal, state, and University rule and regulations; and includes the following units and committees or boards: Pre-Award Services, Post-Award Services, Research Integrity and Compliance, Compliance Monitoring, Research Administration Analytics, Research Development, Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, and the University Medical and Behavioral Institutional Review Board.

Under the umbrella of the Office of Research, the Office of Research Administration and Compliance ( ORAC) provides centralized pre- and post-award services related to sponsored projects.

The primary purpose of the ORAC Pre-Award Grant Specialist position is to increase grant and contract proposal competitiveness from concept through submission to an extramural sponsor. This position will work within a decentralized "Research Administration Hub" or Hub which serves to provide both pre- and post-award service to faculty in multiple colleges and centers. The Pre-Award Grant Specialist supports individual faculty/staff and project teams in the development of applications for extramural funding, including review and interpretation of sponsor guidelines, supporting the administrative and financial preparation of application packages in eTRACS, and working collaboratively with Sponsored Programs Officers ( SPO) for on-time grant proposal submission. In addition to application support, the Pre-Award Grant Specialist works with the Office of Research to help develop and implement rules and regulations necessary to maintain compliance and to ensure meaningful and consistent pre-award management of grants and contracts. They address operational issues and collaborate with various university offices. Also, this position has duties including identifying funding opportunities, delivering training on pertinent pre-award topics, and generating reports on pre-award activities.

This position performs the following duties:

Facilitate Preparation of Applications for Extramural Support - 75%

The Pre-Award Grant Specialist supports individual faculty/staff and project teams in the development of applications for extramural funding, including the coordination of large interdisciplinary/multidisciplinary research proposals both internal and/or external to the university. Duties performed in the pre-award phase include: (A) facilitates individual user account setup in sponsor portals; (B) provides preliminary review and interpretation of sponsor guidelines for submissions; (C ) assists with the administrative and financial preparation of application packages, including efforts such as developing budgets, budget narratives, and other required documents in conjunction with PI-provided information, entering information into eTRACS (ECU's electronic research administration and compliance system) and/or reviewing entered information for accuracy, facilitating the pre-review and final internal routing approval processes and assuring that all internal and external deadlines are met, and providing application correction/revision support to PIs during ORAC's final proposal review process; (D) works collaboratively with Sponsored Programs Officers ( SPO) in ORAC for grant proposal submission through eTRACS, Research.gov, Grants.gov, NIH eRA Commons, and other electronic submission portals; (E) serves as liaison with ORAC and ECU's Corporate and Foundation Relations to ensure timely and efficient foundation grant submission, in compliance with university policies and procedures; (F) provides support to PIs during the post-submission, pre-award stage (i.e. Just-In-Time, Supplemental Materials requests, proposal budget revisions).

Pre-Award Administration Infrastructure and Compliance - 15%

The Pre-Award Grant Specialist works with the Office of Research on the development and implementation of institution-wide rules and regulations (e.g. limited submission programs) necessary to maintain compliance and to ensure meaningful and consistent pre-award management of grants and contracts. Liaises with external sponsors as well as university central offices and college and departmental offices to ensure sponsor and university compliance. Develops and oversees policies and procedures related to pre-award grants management. Identifies and resolves operational issues. Works collaboratively with the Office of Research Assistant Vice Chancellors and offices to address barriers to grant submission.

Education and Training, Resources, and Other - 10%

The Pre-Award Grant Specialist identifies and disseminates funding opportunities that match the research interests, projects and faculty expertise using a variety of online databases and tools. Oversees the development and delivery of pre-award services training for departmental and college research support staff, faculty, and administrators. Develops and disseminates reports on pre-award activities. Advises the Associate Dean(s) and Center & Institute Director(s) with ongoing and future staffing suggestions for the Hub. Serves on divisional committees and special projects as assigned. Other duties as assigned.

Contingent upon availability of funds.

Bachelor's degree in business administration, public administration, or related business area; or equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

None

At least three (3) years demonstrated experience with development and submission of extramural proposals for grants and contracts in a university environment. Demonstrated positive/productive working relationships with faculty, senior administrators, and external research sponsor officials. Knowledge of programs and procedures for granting agencies, including federal agencies (e.g. NSF, NIH, DHS, DOE, DOD, USDA, NOAA, NEH, NEA) as well as corporate and private foundations and sponsors, and knowledge of relevant OMB regulations. Possess skills such as excellent interpersonal, writing and communications, attentiveness to detail, critical thinking, problem solving, and analysis. National certification as a CRA, Certified Research Administrator, or CPRA, Certified Pre-Award Research Administrator.

East Carolina University requires applicants to submit a candidate profile online in order to be considered for the position. Candidates must also submit a cover letter, resume, and a list of three references, including contact information, online.

2-3 original letters of reference are required for employment. Please be aware that if selected as a candidate of choice, an automatic e-mail will be sent to the individuals entered by the applicant in the References section in the PeopleAdmin applicant tracking system. Letters of reference submitted via the PeopleAdmin applicant tracking system will be verified and considered towards meeting this requirement.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

In order to be considered for this position, applicants must complete a candidate profile online via the PeopleAdmin system and submit any requested documents. Additionally, applicants that possess the preferred education and experience must also possess the minimum education/experience, if applicable.

East Carolina University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer who is committed to workforce success and cultivating a culture of care, belonging and opportunity for our faculty, staff and learners and all stakeholders. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race/ethnicity, color, genetic information, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, political affiliation, or veteran status.

Individuals requesting accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act ( ADAAA) should contact the ADA Coordinator at (252) 737-1018 (Voice/ TTY) or ADA-Coordinator@ecu.edu.

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. ECU participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the Department for People Operations, Success, and Opportunity at (252) 328-9847 or toll free at 1-866-489-1740 or send an email to employment@ecu.edu. Our office is available to provide assistance Monday-Friday from 8:00-5:00 EST.