UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.
The National Science Foundation Center for Braiding Indigenous Knowledges and Science (CBIKS) Grants and Contracts Coordinator I supports the post-grant administration of CBIKS including financial transactions, personnel administration, sub-recipient coordination, ordering, scheduling and logistics. This position manages travel reimbursements, supports workshop and conference activities and office operations.
- Coordinates financial and personnel administration for the CBIKS NSF grant award.
- Reviews grant award expenses for compliance with University and NSF policies.
- Prepares post-grant award purchase orders that are aligned with the expenses budgeted in the grant award, and in compliance with University/NSF/state/federal policies.
- Completes travel, workshop and conference administration processes for CBIKS activities.
- Prepares post-grant award staff and graduate student personnel appointments, and other compensation-related documents.
- Coordinates with subrecipient awardees to ensure budget and expenditures are processed and reconciled in accordance with the award.
- Provides problem solving in difficult or complex requests to support the goals of grant fulfillment.
- Builds and maintains effective communication channels with the Finance and Budget Manager, Managing Director, Principal Investigators, and other stakeholders.
- Liaises with other University departments to exchange information and coordinate activities in a timely manner.
- Assists with the preparation of financial, progress and effort reports. Prepares forms, documents and reports required by the NSF or University.
- Monitors budget compliance within grants and contracts. Makes recommendations for reconciling budgetary discrepancies and reallocations.
- Coordinates and monitors bank card usage for the Center.
- Supports general office administration and operational needs.
Other Functions
Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
- High School diploma and three (3) years of experience in grants/contracts administration. An Associate’s or higher degree with a major in accounting, business administration, or related field may be substituted for two (2) years of the required experience.
- Excellent knowledge of financial practices, ability to maintain financial records and prepare reports from those records, including advanced use of Microsoft Excel.
- Ability to read, understand, apply and explain rules, regulations and policies/procedures regarding post-grants award administration.
- Excellent ability to work productively and independently with a minimum of supervision and as part of an effective team with a highly cooperative and collaborative work style.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to interact effectively with a diverse population of staff, faculty, students and off-campus constituents.
- Extensive organizational skills and attention to detail with the ability to complete assignments in a timely manner, balancing the demands of concurrent and potentially competing projects.
- Ability to work effectively under pressure and varying situations with independence, flexibility, competent judgment and discretion.
Special Instructions to Applicants
Along with the application, please submit a resume. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references.
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.