Contracts and Grants Specialist IV

College of Engineering and Computer Science:

As Florida's premier engineering and technology university, UCF is among the nation's largest producers of engineering and technology talent. The UCF College of Engineering and Computer Science offers students a world-class education and research opportunities alongside unrivaled partnerships with industry leaders such as L3Harris Corporation, Lockheed Martin, Duke Energy, Siemens, Walt Disney World and NASA. Focused on addressing society's biggest challenges, faculty and alumni are national leaders in energy, aerospace, computer vision, cybersecurity, transportation, health care and the environment, areas of focus that will drive the college's future growth. UCF is the nation's No. 1 provider of talent to the aerospace and defense industries, and the college is home to the national champion student cyber defense team and one of the nation's top computer programming teams.

The Opportunity:

UCF's College of Engineering and Computer Science (CECS) seeks applications for a Contracts and Grants Specialist IV to join their team. This Specialist provides pre-award support for CECS, including faculty from CRCV, SMST and AMPAC. This role is responsible for delivering timely, high-quality, and coordinated research administration and customer service to faculty and research staff across these units. The position requires the ability to manage a high volume of complex, multi-PI projects involving a wide range of external sponsors. Additionally, the individual in this role is expected to hold delegated authority to endorse proposals and institutional commitments on behalf of CECS.

Responsibilities:

• Develop all non-technical documents including budget and budget narrative, responsible for uploading application package to various sponsor systems (e.g. NSF, NIH, NSPIRES, ProposalCentral, etc.) and HRS System to System. Endorses proposal commitments on behalf of CECS, ensuring that proposals are accurate and in full compliance.

• Assist CECS (plus CRCV, SMST and AMPAC) faculty in interpretation and clarification of sponsor guidelines and FAQs; review required sponsor forms, assurances and certifications; collect all pertinent data for the compilation of proposal components for accuracy and compliance.

• Supervise all assigned Contracts & Grants Specialists I& II and support department liaison actions for proposal submissions, contracts, grants and/or post award activities within CECS and responsible for training subordinates as well as verification of accurate completion of work-products.

• Responsible for the coordination, assignment, and prioritization of research administration tasks for the team based on the amount of time, skill-level, and authority required for completion. Maintain a reporting relationship to the Associate Director of Research but also execute with authority to act in place of the Associate Director of Research functions not requiring the expressed presence or approval of the Associate Director.

• Coordinates with research collaborators (e.g., subcontractors, consultants, evaluators, vendors, etc.) to ensure their commitment and eligibility, and that all proposed financial documents (e.g., subcontract budget, vendor quotes, etc.) are current, accurate and complete.

• Ensure that research proposals, related documents, HRS smart form, special consideration (e.g. budget, cost share, release time, space needs etc.) are reviewed and approved by appropriate University officials (e.g. Chair, Dean/Director, etc.).

• Interprets and implements university and college policies and procedures and recommends policies and procedures to develop and improve research administration.

• Develops and modifies template language for proposals and assists in developing and coordinating college research workshops. Develops and reviews any formalized grant/contract modification requiring re-budgeting or revised scope of works, including Just In Time requests.

• Maintains confidential information and performs all other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's or Master's degree and 4+ years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience pursuant to Fla. Stat. 112.219. Click here for more information.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 4+ years experience with pre-award administration, proposal submission, and budget development in higher education.

• Experience submitting proposals to federal entities such as the NSF, NIH, NASA, or similar sponsors.

• Experience with Huron Research Suite.

• Familiarity with submitting proposals using platforms like Research.gov, NSPIRES, and Proposal Central.

• Advanced Excel skills to support budget development and reporting for sponsored projects.

• Proven ability to coordinate with external collaborators such as subcontractors, consultants, and vendors to ensure eligibility, commitment, and accuracy of financial documentation.

• Strong attention to detail and the ability to follow complex instructions and sponsor guidelines accurately.

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As a Florida public university, the University of Central Florida makes all application materials and selection procedures available to the public upon request.

UCF is proud to be a smoke-free campus and an E-Verify employer.

If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 407-823-1336 or email onac@ucf.edu.

For general application or posting questions, please email talent@ucf.edu.