Job Abstract

The Department of Contracts and Grants is seeking a Principal Contracts and Grants Officer (Contracts and Grants Administrator III) to join its Health Science Campus team, on the University Park Campus location (Credit Union Building). The Principal Contracts & Grants Officer supervises and leads a team to interact with faculty, University offices and external funding agencies to facilitate the exchange of information and provide services associated with pre and post-award administration of contracts and grants to assigned departments.

The Department of Contracts and Grants (DCG) supports USC’s investigators from proposal development to award closeout, ensuring that our grants and contracts are consistent with university standards for academic freedom, research ethics and fiscal responsibility.

Job Accountabilities:

• Provides leadership and guidance to assigned administrators and conducts training as required to ensure professional currency.

• Acts as University representative to sponsoring agencies.

• Advises on specific agency requirements and guidelines to assist faculty in the preparation and submission of proposals.

• Reviews, critiques and submits for approval proposals for research, training and public service projects.

• Composes complex research contracts and other related agreements. Assists other Contract and Grant Administrators in this activity.

• Follows through with agencies for award and funding. Negotiates complex awards and coordinates award documents.

• Resolves pre and post-award administrative problems related to sponsored projects.

• Provides post-award administrative support including expenditure approvals, accounting detail, and reporting requirement information. Monitors for allowability on contracts, submits interim reports, and reviews and approves closeout documents.

• Coordinates administration of unusually complex projects such as national research centers, oversees projects and subcontracts or consulting arrangements.

• Assists in the identification of external funding sources for sponsored research and training.

• Develops and implements security related procedures such as office opening and closing routines, recognition of duress signals and key controls. Coordinates security activities with University Public Safety Department. Promotes and maintains standards for security conscious awareness and behavior. Maintains knowledge of University's crime prevention and suppression programs and services. Ensures dissemination of security related information to staff.

Minimum Requirements:

Minimum Education: Related undergraduate study, Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education

Minimum Experience: 3 years, Combined education/experience as substitute for minimum experience

Minimum Field of Expertise: Contracts and Grants Administration

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree

5 years of Contracts and Grants Administration experience    

Knowledge of University policies and procedures

USC is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring ordinance. We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email at uschr@usc.edu.  Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

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