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Penn State Job Catalog

Proposal and Award Generalist – Professional (PSU0287)

Additional Levels

Job Summary and Representative Duties

The Proposal and Award Generalist pursues, administers and conducts sponsored programs; identifies funding opportunities; facilitates the proposal preparation process; submits proposals; reviews awards for items specific to the faculty, department, and college/unit; informs faculty and college personnel of special contractual requirements; ensures compliance with University guidelines; and provides training to personnel on topics that cover the breadth of research administration.

  • Search for, obtain, and distribute funding opportunities utilizing expertise database; maintain database information
  • Collaborate with college/unit offices on funding opportunities requiring special handling such as limited submissions, RFA (Request for Application), RFP (Request for Proposal), ITQ (Intent to Qualify) and other solicitations
  • Liaison with Office of Sponsored Programs, ORP (Office of Research Protection), Office of Technology Management (OTM), Risk Management or other central units as needed to support proposal development
  • Lead and or participate in meetings with faculty or department heads on funding opportunities, team formation and responses to opportunities; provide recommendations to improve proposal success rate and effectiveness of award management
  • Prioritize timelines/schedules through interpretation of potential funding opportunities and hold proposal team accountable
  • Assist faculty or others with proposal preparation through reviewing sponsor and University guidelines and submission requirements
  • Develop, finalize and/or approve proposal budget and cost share; prepare required forms, representations and certifications, and budget justification; obtain cost share approvals
  • Prepare requests for advance fund numbers, fund numbers, cost centers, cost sharing cost centers, and other account set up actions
  • Prepare and submit budget documents for awarded funds, budget adjustments, and account close-out transfers
  • May be responsible for tasks associated with labor distribution and effort confirmation
  • Participate in meetings with Office of Sponsored Programs and unit administration concerning Export Control, publication restrictions, and other potential risks; initiate follow up on sign-offs and monitor process
  • Review expenditures for approval; review and approve personnel appointments on sponsored program funds
  • Run system-generated financial reports; manage subawards; prepare and submit monthly/quarterly financial reports
  • Facilitate materials transfer and other agreements; assist Property Inventory with receipt, accountability, and reporting on government owned equipment
  • Serve as an area expert on special award types including multi-unit, interdisciplinary, significant number of subawards, multi-fellowship awards, substantial industry involvement, significant administrative oversight, significant financial tracking and reporting, and multi-site clinical trials or field activities.
  • Resolves issues and implements solutions; initiates process improvements to address systemic roadblocks
  • May supervise staff members, including hiring, development, and performance management

Level Matrix

Level:
Professional
Base Description:
– Completes activities, tasks, and/or projects of a functional nature.
Level Summary:
– Demonstrates baseline working knowledge of routine work tasks. Follows the standard principles and practices. Acts under direct and frequent supervision using established procedures with detailed instructions. Participates as a team member and actively contributes to completion of team goals. Clearly communicates information.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
– None
Fiscal Responsibilities:
– Typically none
Problem Solving:
– Encounters routine problems
– Follows recommended course of action and procedures to resolve problems
Independence of Action:
– Work is closely monitored by supervisor
– Detailed instructions and procedures are provided
– Applies standard operating procedures with limited guidelines for deviation
Communication and Collaboration:
– Typically communicates internally within working unit
– Collaborates closely with team members
– Clearly communicates information, ideas, or instructions verbally and in writing
Salary Structure
  • Comp Grade – 7
  • Minimum – $46,400.00
  • MidPoint – $56,800.00
  • Maximum – $67,300.00
Critical Skills
  • Data Analysis
  • Database management
  • Financial analysis
  • Grant writing
  • Labor Cost Distribution
  • Presentation software
  • Report writing
  • Stakeholder engagement
  • Time Management
FLSA Exemption Status
Non-Exempt
Minimum Education
Bachelor's Degree
Minimum Experience
No prior relevant work experience required
Equivalency
Previous relevant work experience accepted in lieu of education