Penn State Job Catalog

Additional levels that exist for this job profile can be seen below.

The defined natural career progression within or between job profiles.

Proposal and Awards

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:

– Advanced Professional

Base Description:

– Completes activities, tasks, and/or projects of a functional nature.

Level Summary:

– Demonstrates proficient and comprehensive knowledge of defined skill areas/applications. Applies knowledge of principles, practices, and procedures of a particular field to decision-making and problem–solving. Works under minimum supervision on varied and sometimes difficult work assignments, conferring with supervisor or subject matter experts on unusual matters. May lead others or a team in completion of complex assignments. Interprets and communicates information clearly, accurately, and persuasively. Researches and tries new approaches when solving difficult or novel problems.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

– Indirect supervisor or mentor for other full–time employees
– May serve as direct supervisor for part–time, student, and/or temporary workers, volunteers, or a full–time employee

Fiscal Responsibilities:

– May validate and pay invoices
– May monitor/track budgets and funding

Problem Solving:

– Encounters generally routine problems with progressively more complex and/or varied problems
– Typically follows recommended course of action and procedures to resolve problems
– May apply specialized knowledge and skills to resolve complex and/or varied problems, with supervisor oversight
– Researches and tries new approaches when solving problems

Independence of Action:

– Works with minimal supervision on more difficult work assignments, conferring with supervisor on unusual matters
– Follows precedents and procedures
– May set priorities and organize work within general guidelines established by supervisor

Communication and Collaboration:

– Communicates internally and externally within working unit and the University
– May communicate with external audiences for business purposes
– Promotes open communication in a manner that builds relationships among team members
– Applies appropriate strategies for managing conflict; negotiate reasonable compromises; propose and evaluate possible solutions
– Interprets and communicates information, ideas and instructions clearly, accurately and persuasively both verbally and in written materials intended for distribution

• Comp Grade – 9
• Minimum – $56,200.00
• MidPoint – $68,800.00
• Maximum – $81,500.00