Careers

About UMass Amherst

The flagship of the Commonwealth, the University of Massachusetts Amherst is a nationally ranked public land-grant research university that seeks to expand educational access, fuel innovation and creativity, and share and use its knowledge for the common good. Founded in 1863, UMass Amherst sits on nearly 1,450-acres in scenic Western Massachusetts and boasts state-of-the-art facilities for teaching, research, scholarship, and creative activity. The institution advances a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community where everyone feels connected and valued—and thrives, and offers a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees across 10 schools and colleges, and 100 undergraduate majors. We believe every member of our university community can contribute to our ongoing success by striving for the highest level of excellence as we seek breakthrough solutions to mounting environmental, social, economic, and technological challenges in our world.  

Job Summary

Prepares and facilitates the submission of a high volume of complex and competitive grant proposals (including interdisciplinary research proposals, research center proposals, and proposals for single or multiple investigators) in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

Essential Functions

• Confers individually with faculty members concerning their proposal plans; interprets the request for proposal (RFP) and provides direction to faculty on requirements; customizes and organizes information to develop timelines and submission strategies. 
• Confers with multiple faculty investigators to address the administrative requirements for submission of grant and contract proposals for interdisciplinary research projects, research center proposals, and multiple investigator research proposals.
• Prepares non-scientific documents (budget forms, budget justification) and provides guidance on other documents such as bio sketches, current and pending support form, facilities and resources, etc..
• Creates detailed budgets within sponsor and University guidelines and analyzes and evaluates contract and grant budgets for correct calculation of expenditure categories such as salaries, percent of effort, cost of living increases, fringe benefits, other direct costs, and indirect cost calculation.
• Inputs proposal data, forms and budget information into electronic routing and submission systems i.e. SmartGrant, FastGrant and NSF Fastlane.
• Ensures that comprehensive subcontract documentation from external institutions is prepared in an accurate and timely manner.
• Provide ongoing pre- and post-award support for the Northeast Climate Adaptation Science Center.
• Acts as liaison with funding organizations, other departments and university offices, performing significant problem-solving duties.
• Works closely with Office of Grant & Contract Administration staff, RSS staff, and senior leaders to ensure accurate procedural compliance on grants.
• Monitors and maintains understanding of related university, federal and state rules, regulations, policies, and procedures and communicates with faculty regarding compliance with fiscal policies.

Other Functions

• Work collaboratively and effectively to promote teamwork, diversity, equality and inclusiveness. 
• Work in partnership with colleagues within the CNS community and across the campus to support the Dean’s strategic priorities.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of the mission and goals of the College of Natural Sciences.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Four (4) years of full time, or equivalent part-time, experience in administrative work to include at least two (2) years of grant/contract administration support work. (An Associate’s or higher degree with a major in accounting, business administration, business management or public administration may be substitute for two (2) years of the required experience. An Associate’s or higher degree with a major other than in accounting, business administration, business management or public administration may be substituted for a maximum of one (1) year of the required experience.)
• Experience in interpreting funding guidelines; previous experience working with federal rules, regulations, and policies (e.g., OMB Circulars A- 21 and A-110, Code of Federal Regulations [CFR], Federal Acquisition Regulations [FAR], Cost Accounting Standards [CAS]) and governing administration of grants and contracts.
• Experience with multiple funding agencies including federal sponsors and private foundations.
• Experience submitting proposals for a single PI and/or multiple investigator research group in a fast-paced deadline driven environment.
• Experience working independently with responsibility for decision making.
• Ability to adapt to and work effectively as situations change.
• Sound judgement to make independent decisions under pressure.
• Ability to effectively communicate with and exercise tact, establish effective working relationships, deal with conflicting views or issues and mediate fair solutions, and maintain a high degree of professionalism when working with CNS faculty, staff, University departments, other research administration departments, and sponsoring agencies.
• Ability to resolve budgetary problems and issues.
• Strong attention to detail while working within deadlines and ability to prioritize workload effectively.  
• Ability to analyze complex problems, organize information, identify underlying causes, and generate solutions.
• Ability to foresee and troubleshoot potential complications and conflicts of interest regarding sponsor technical requirements, roles of collaborating participants, federal, state and sponsor regulations.

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Experience assisting faculty with submitting various types of proposals including interdisciplinary, multi-site projects, research centers, and instructional training grants preferred.
• Experience with various computer systems and on-line submission portals preferred.
• Knowledge of University accounting regulations preferred.

Physical Demands

• Typical Office Environment 

Work Schedule

• Monday – Friday, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm.
• This position has the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule, which is defined by the University as an arrangement where an employee’s work is regularly performed at a location other than the campus workspace for a portion of the week. As this position falls within the University Staff Association, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the University Staff Association collective bargaining agreement, therefore.

Salary Information

USA/MTA, Non-Exempt Grade 16

Special Instructions to Applicants

Along with the application, please submit a resume and cover letter. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references.

At UMass Amherst and in CNS, we strive to be a community where every individual feels a sense of belonging, where every individual is included, and where every individual is valued. You can find these values and goals here: https://www.umass.edu/strategicplan/strategic-plan.

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University.  To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans.  It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.