Proposal Development Specialist

Come work in a well-supported environment within a rapidly growing and highly successful research college at Utah State University. The Office of Research Services (ORS) in the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services seeks a Proposal Development Specialist to join our experienced Proposal Development team to help faculty generate competitive grant proposals and secure funding for cutting-edge research on new and innovative education and human service practices. This individual will coordinate and support faculty grant-writing efforts, including multidisciplinary and collaborative proposals, to a wide range of external funding entities (federal, public and private) as well as internal funding sources.

 

This position includes excellent benefits such as 13 paid holidays; 22 days of vacation and 12 days of sick leave per year; 50% tuition reduction for employee, spouse, and dependents; competitive health benefits packages and a generous contribution toward your retirement. View more information here: Summary of Benefits 2023-2024

Support the preparation and submission of grants to ensure compliance with all federal, state, university, and college policies – 75%

• Develops a strong working understanding of grant or contract goals and strategies to provide accurate support and guidance.
• Manages receipt of requests for assistance for all proposals received by the CEHS ORS and maintains systems for tracking proposals (and subsequent submissions) in the office.
• Coordinates routine correspondence and communication with faculty, administrators, sponsored programs, graduate research office and external agencies and contacts.
• Responds to faculty requests for information in a timely and supportive manner.
• Monitors proposals as they move through the review process and identifies and collects outstanding application materials.
• Develops standard sections of proposals and reports through gathering program statistics, collecting financial data, and aggregating information about USU and CEHS infrastructure.
• Reviews standard proposal documents for compliance with sponsor requirements and revises as needed, in consultation with researchers.
• Prepares proposal budgets and maintains internal templates for budget purposes.
• Determines documents needed for specific proposals and then assembles budgets and other proposal materials for internal review via Kuali.
• Assembles proposal applications for submission through online grant application systems or system-to-system via Kuali.
• Assists with revising and editing proposals.
• Provides professional writing support using proposal-writing standards including consistency, grammar, and tone.

Prospect, identify, and cultivate applications to new extramural funding opportunities – 15%

• Conducts regular database searches and notifies faculty of relevant funding opportunities according to their stated research interest areas.  Maintains listings of faculty research interests for this purpose.
• Facilitates meetings with CEHS researchers and interdisciplinary teams to share large multidisciplinary opportunities. Cultivates researcher interest in submitting applications to those opportunities.
• Develops repositories of funding opportunities that will be maintained and shared with CEHS researchers.
• Coordinates communication with faculty including providing timely recognition for their efforts to secure external funding.

Support CEHS ORS and USU Office of Research activities and events – 10%

• Facilitates and participates in ORS activities and events, including conferences, workshops, and other events.
• Participates in USU Office of Research grant writing trainings, workshops, and other events.
• Supports grant writing efforts by sharing expertise and resources with Proposal Development networks across campus.
• Engages in professional development activities, including participation in professional societies (e.g., NORDP).
• Completes other tasks as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• 4 years of related work experience OR a Bachelor's degree OR an equivalent combination of education and experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Possess skills and aptitude as specified below:
• Experience working with faculty in higher education institutions
• Involvement with grant writing and/or management
• Familiarity with federal grant submission systems (e.g., grants.gov, research.gov, ASSIST).
• Proven proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, and Publisher
• Experience with Adobe Acrobat

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Skilled in the use of computers with Windows-based operating environment.
• Ability to create, compose, and edit written materials.
• Ability to develop marketing materials, including aspects of graphic design.
• Records maintenance skills.
• Knowledge of supplies, equipment, and/or services ordering and inventory control.
• Database management skills.
• Knowledge of office management principles and procedures.
• Ability to foster effective working relationships within a diverse, productivity-oriented team environment.
• Ability to make administrative/procedural decisions and judgments.
• Ability to coordinate and organize meetings and/or special events.
• Knowledge of communication principles, media, and marketing techniques.
• Knowledge of University policies and procedures.
• Serves in the interest of Utah State University in a lawful manner, while maintaining high standards of conduct and character.
• Manages assigned projects effectively and demonstrates confidentiality, reliability and strong work ethic.

Along with the online application, please attach:

1. Resume to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV”
2. Contact information for three professional references to be provided in the candidate profile
3. Cover letter to be typed/pasted at the end of your application

Please do not upload any documents other than your resume to your candidate profile. You will be instructed to type/paste the cover letter during your application. 

 

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

Commensurate with education and experience, plus excellent benefits.

Employees work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes.  The employee is regularly required to sit and often uses repetitive hand motions.

The mission of the Office of Research Services in the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services is to enrich the research climate in the college by supporting Proposal Development; providing statistical consulting services; providing methodological training for graduate students; and nurturing faculty and graduate student research and collaboration.

 

The Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services is home to eight departments and is committed to providing the best learning opportunities and educational research in the state of Utah. Our programs are strengthened by an on-campus elementary laboratory school and five stand-alone centers. The college offers clinical services to the community across the human lifespan and provides students with real-world service and research opportunities.

Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah’s premier land-grant and space-grant university, with a strong commitment to excellence, access, and inclusion. USU serves approximately 27,500 students throughout the state at three residential campuses, eight statewide campuses, and 23 education centers. USU Online has served students from all 50 states and 55 countries for over 25 years, and USU Extension provides outreach and service to all counties in Utah.  

 

As a land-grant university, USU engages communities and empowers people to lead successful lives of involvement, innovation, and impact. As an R1 research institution, USU provides a high-quality undergraduate and graduate education at an affordable price. Washington Monthly has consistently ranked USU in the top 10 among public universities for contribution to social mobility, research, and public service.  

 

Utah State is committed to cultivating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community where different perspectives, values, cultures, and identities are acknowledged, welcomed, and valued. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Learn more about USU. 

 

The university provides a Dual Career Assistance Program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, contact the university’s ADA Coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at (435) 797-0122 or hr@usu.edu. 

 

About the Region

U.S. News and World Report ranked Utah first for its strong economy, fiscal stability, education, and health care. Outstanding outdoor recreational opportunities abound throughout the state, including five national parks, 43 state parks and recreation areas, and 15 alpine ski resorts. The home of USU’s main campus, Logan, is a city of 54,000-plus people in a picturesque mountain valley 80 miles north of Salt Lake City. The Logan metro area claimed the top spot in the Milken Institute’s 2022 ranking for best-performing small cities in the nation. 

 

*updated 7/2023

In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.

The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU’s non-discrimination policies:

 

Executive Director of the Office of Equity Matthew Pinner, discrimination@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 401, 435-797-1266

Title IX Coordinator Cody Carmichael, titleix@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 404, 435-797-1266

Mailing address: 5100 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322

For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit https://equity.usu.edu/, or contact:

U.S. Department of Education, Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 800-421-3481, OCR@ed.gov

*updated 09/2023