Posting Detail Information

Working TitleGrants Specialist

Position LocationFort Collins, CO

Work LocationPosition qualifies for hybrid/in-office work

Research Professional PositionNo

Posting Number202400727AP

Position TypeAdmin Professional/ Research Professional

Classification TitleProf/Indiv Contrib II

Number of Vacancies

Work Hours/Week40

Proposed Annual Salary Range$65,000-$70,000

Employee Benefits

Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, commitment todiversity, equity and inclusion (https://inclusiveexcellence.colostate.edu/about/) , and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.

• Review our detailed benefits information here. (https://hr.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/25/2021/01/benefits-summary-afap.pdf)

• Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here.

• For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator (https://hr.colostate.edu/total-compensation-calculator/) .

• Lastly, click here for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in (https://hr.colostate.edu/prospective-employees/our-community/) !

Desired Start Date

Position End Date (if temporary)

To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on06/03/2024

Description of Work Unit

Founded in 1870, Colorado State University is among the nation’s leading research universities and enrolls approximately 32,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. Located an hour north of the Denver metro area, Fort Collins is a vibrant community of approximately 157,000 residents that offers the convenience of a small town with all the amenities of a large city. Fort Collins is situated on the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains with views of 14,000 foot peaks, and offers access to numerous cultural, recreational, and outdoor opportunities.

The mission of the Colorado State Forest Service ( CSFS ) is to achieve stewardship of Colorado’s diverse forest environments for the benefit of present and future generations. The State Office provides administrative support to 17 field offices, the State Office staff, and other work units, with approximately 175 State Office and program staff members across the State.

The purpose of the Administrative Division is to provide leadership and direction in service, outreach, and administration that directly contributes to achieving the agency’s mission of “the stewardship of Colorado’s diverse forest environments for the benefit of present and future generations”. The CSFS Administrative Division specifically coordinates the financial and budget processes for the State Office and 17 offices. The work unit consists of key leadership positions that provide direction to achieve the vision and mission of the CSFS .

We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of all backgrounds and abilities. We invite you to review Colorado State University’s Principles of Community that guide our mission and vision of access, teaching, service and engagement.

Position Summary

Under the direct supervision of the Grants Manager, this position works as part of the three-person Grants Team and is a key team member within the Administrative Division and the State Office. The Grants Specialist has primary responsibility for:

• Providing pre-and post-award oversight and coordination of funded projects for CSFS and

• Coordinating the submission of proposals to funding agencies.

• Further responsibilities include assisting and supporting Program Specialists/Managers in utilizing federal grant-funding and other personnel throughout the CSFS on the correct application of Federal Cost Accounting Standards relative to project expenditures, other necessary accounting principles, audit requirements, financial guidelines and policies, compliance with CSU policy, etc.

  The Grants Specialist will report compliance problems to the Grant Manager and recommend solutions. This position must have great attention to detail when creating and reviewing grant documentation.

The Grants Specialist serves as the liaison between CSFS’s Principal Investigators (PIs) and the Office of Sponsored Programs ( OSP ). The coordinator knows the University systems used by Accounting, Accounts Payable, and Sponsored Programs, to efficiently perform the duties of the position. Systems may include Kuali Financial System ( KFS ), Kuali Research (KR), Symphony, Research Project Status ( RPS ), and WebFocus. The ability to utilize these systems and review reports allows the coordinator to accurately complete transactions and identify and correct accounting and budgeting issues.

The Grants Specialist works with all of CSFS’s active investigators to provide front-line support to all active projects within the unit. The position helps to ensure that PIs are meeting the administrative requirements on their grants with accuracy and will aid PIs in budget oversight over the life of the grant. This position requires knowledge to oversee and manage the grant and restricted funds for university compliance with state regulations, generally accepted accounting standards, non-federal and federal grant sponsor reporting requirements, OMB circulars, and other federal requirements. The coordinator detects problems and works with supervisor to advise PIs and grant staff on proper actions required to come to a resolution.

The Grants Specialist works closely with PIs to coordinate and submit multiple research proposals and ensure compliance with sponsor requirements, including cost-share requirements, through consultation with sponsor representatives and the Office of Sponsored Programs. The coordinator assists PIs in developing budgets, including staffing plans and research expenses and develops proposal budgets and budget justifications, ensuring adequate availability and support of required personnel and equipment. The position also coordinates pre-award efforts with the Office of Sponsored Programs, to ensure smooth interactions with funding organizations and that all parts of the University that need visibility into projects and proposals are kept properly informed.

Position is expected to act independently while working closely with the CSFS Grants Manager.

Required Job Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, business, communications, or a related field.

• Minimum of four years of professional finance or accounting experience.

• Strong written communication skills, as evidenced by application materials.

Preferred Job Qualifications

• A degree or post-bachelor’s degree certificate in Contract/Research Administration or related field.

• Demonstrated experience in grant writing or in research project management.

• Natural resource grant support experience.

• Knowledge of OMB Uniform Guidance cost accounting guidelines.

• Knowledge of the administration and management of federal grants.

• Experience creating budgets and budget justifications.

• Experience preparing and submitting grant/research proposals.

• Knowledge of Kuali Financial System ( KFS )

• Knowledge of Kuali Research proposal development system ( KRPD ).

• Demonstrated experience in providing excellent customer service skills, working in a team environment, collaborative approach to work, and building effective professional relationships.

• Detail-oriented

• Strong communication skills.

• Strong skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Adobe Acrobat.

Diversity Statement

Demonstrated knowledge of, and relevant ability with, culturally diverse communities among potential target and constituent populations.

Essential Duties

Job Duty CategoryPre-Award Proposal Development

Duty/Responsibility

• · Review and interpret proposal announcements to ensure proposals meet unique sponsor guidelines for multiple funding mechanisms including grants or contracts, task orders, or cooperative agreements.

• Advise CSFS personnel on the requirements for proposals. Establish timeline to meet critical deadlines, especially for collaborative proposals or proposals with subrecipients.

• Utilize OMB Uniform Guidance and CSU policies and procedures to develop budgets. Requires professional knowledge of effort requirements, fringe rates, travel limitations, allowable supplies, contracting, sub awards and CSFS Cost Sharing pass through to landowners and HOA’s, indirect cost ( IDC ) rates, and 3rd Party cost share.

• Create Kuali Research ( KRPD ) proposal documents for University review and approval, adhering to Sponsored Programs and sponsor deadlines.

• Manage entry of proposal budget and supporting materials to government agency portals such as Grants.gov.

• Upload NOFO (Notice of Funding Opportunity), Budget Justification (Blue Bar Budget), Sub award forms, SOWs (Scope of Work)/Narrative, Expanded Budget Narratives, 424, 424A, Budget B, Modifications, F&A (finance and administrative cost) split, CSA (Cost Share Account) ICF ,1% Minimum, 3rd Party Cost Share Report into KRPD .

• Request approvals for pre-award spending as required.

• Address any proposal issues revised by Office of Sponsored Programs.

Percentage Of Time25%

Job Duty CategoryPost-Award Transaction Approval and Budget Review

Duty/Responsibility

• Guide and assist PIs in understanding University fiscal policy and procedure. Ensure PIs and grant staff follow University fiscal policy and procedure.

• Confirm the grant budget balance is available for spending and ensure appropriate forms and processes are used for purchases and financial transactions.

• Analyze, review and authorize payment requests for restricted funds to ensure all pay documents are in compliance with budgeted expenditures and for authorization under grant awards.

• Verify all transactions for accuracy with respect to account balances, object code requirements, compliance with grant agreement language/requirements, university, state and federal requirements.

• Create Disbursement Vouchers (DVs), General Ledger Transactions (GLTs), and Budget Adjustments (BAs). Verify all transactions for accuracy, appropriate justification and object code per Sponsored Programs and CSU B&FS guidelines. Change accounts as needed to reflect accurate accounting.

• Review cash balances, monitor progress on work with PIs on budget spending.

Percentage Of Time25%

Job Duty CategoryGrant Analysis, Reporting & Planning

Duty/Responsibility

• Keep CSFS Grants Manager apprised of current and future funding opportunities and plans for capture of those opportunities.

• Create, monitor, and update record-keeping systems to compile data and prepare reports on department grant submissions and subsequent awards.

• Utilize data to enhance grant submission processes and improve future proposals.

• Develop strategies for research management.

Percentage Of Time15%

Job Duty CategoryPost-Award Grant Financial Management

Duty/Responsibility

• Analyze, monitor, reconcile and produce monthly reports for grant accounts, including cost-sharing accounts, for PIs. When reconciling accounts and checking balances, create Budget Adjustments (BAs) or GLTs when necessary and coordinate with the Finance Manager and/or Program Specialist.

• Review monthly diagnostics, investigate and correct problems/discrepancies by revising the routine and/or posting a journal entry.

• Create and maintain outstanding encumbrances for 53-sponsored fund projects within the Forest Planning and Implementation and the Science and Data Division programs.

• Receive, audit and process payment requests against grant encumbrances. Process associated dis-encumbrance entries.

• Oversee and manage CSFS’s grant and restricted funds for university compliance with state regulations, generally accepted accounting standards, non-federal and federal grant sponsor reporting requirements, OMB guidance, and other federal requirements.

• Detect problems and work with supervisor, Finance Manager, outside departments, and funding agencies to advise on proper actions required to come to a resolution.

• Prepare historical financial reports for the CSFS Leadership and offer strategic review as needed.

• Operate all University software systems used by Accounting, Accounts Payable, and Sponsored Programs, including Kuali Financial System, and WebFocus.

Percentage Of Time35%

Application Details

Special Instructions to Applicants

Interested applicants must submit a cover letter which addresses how professional experiences and personal skills align with identified required and preferred qualifications of the position, a current resume, and the names, e mail addresses, and telephone numbers of three (3) professional references. References will not be contacted without prior notification to candidates.

This position will be 3-4 days in office and 1-2 days remote.

CSU is committed to full inclusion of qualified individuals. If you are needing assistance or accommodations with the search process, please reach out to the listed search contact.

Conditions of EmploymentPre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires)

Search ContactAudrey McElwain, audrey.mcelwain@colostate.edu, 970-491-0165

EEO Statement

Colorado State University is committed to providing an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based on race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or pregnancy in its employment, programs, services and activities, and admissions, and, in certain circumstances, marriage to a co-worker. The University will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. Colorado State University is an equal opportunity and equal access institution and affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all Federal and Colorado State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. TheOffice of Equal Opportunity (https://oeo.colostate.edu/) is located in 101 Student Services.

The Title IX Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Title IX Programs and Gender Equity, 123 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-1715,titleix@colostate.edu.

The Section 504 and ADA Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836,oeo@colostate.edu.

The Coordinator for any other forms of misconduct prohibited by the University’s Policy on Discrimination and Harassment is the Vice President for Equity, Equal Opportunity and Title IX, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, Co. 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836,oeo@colostate.edu.

Any person may report sex discrimination under Title IX to theOffice of Civil Rights, Department of Education (https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/howto.html) .

Background Check Policy Statement

Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

References Requested

References Requested

Minimum Requested3

Maximum Requested3

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Cover Letter

• Resume

Optional Documents