What are the responsibilities and job description for the Grants Administrator position at University of South Carolina?
Posting Number
STA00940PO25
Job Family
Business Operations
Job Function
Grants Administration
USC Market Title
Grants Administrator
Link to USC Market Title
https://uscjobs.sc.edu/titles/132311
Job Level
P2 - Professional
Business Title (Internal Title)
Grants Administrator
Campus
Columbia
Work County
Richland
College/Division
College of Information and Communications
Department
CIC College of Information and Communications
State Pay Band
7
Approved Starting Salary
$59,581
Advertised Salary Range
$59,581.00 - $69,500.00
Location of Vacancy
Part/Full Time
Full Time
Hours per Week
37.5
Work Schedule
- Monday – Friday 8:30 am 5:00 pm, with one hour for lunch, hours per week is 37.5.
- Must be willing to work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of the department.
Basis
12 months
Job Search Category
Other
About USC
About University of South Carolina
From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.
Veterans' Preference Statement
The University of South Carolina is committed to equal opportunity and proudly values the skills and experience military veterans bring to our workforce. Across South Carolina, we are making veterans a priority for employment and recognize their vital contributions to our state and our communities.
Benefits for FTE Positions
The University of South Carolina (USC), through the State of SC and Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA), offers employees a valuable benefits package, including health and life insurance, generous paid leave and retirement programs. To learn more about USC benefits, access the "Working at USC" section on the Applicant Portal at https://uscjobs.sc.edu. Research Grant or Time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some, or no benefits, based on the grant or project funding.
Position Description
Advertised Job Summary
The Grant Administrator is responsible for providing pre-award and post-award grant management to assigned department(s) within the College of Information and Communications and the School of Law. Monitors financial activities of grants to ensure compliance with sponsoring agency regulations and applicable USC/state/federal regulations. Uses analytical skills to reconcile assigned accounts. Serve as resource for faculty within assigned department(s).
Job Related Minimum Required Education and Experience
- Requires a bachelor’s degree in a job related field and 2 or more years of job related experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of job related certification, training, education, and/or experience.
Required Certification, Licensure/Other Credentials
Preferred Qualifications
- Prior experience with university software (Accounting Intranet, PeopleSoft, Banner).
- Knowledge of University’s Policies and Procedures.
- Related experience in higher education environment preferred.
- Experience in grants administration and/or accounting preferred
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
- Ability to analyze financial data, records and reports.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Ability to interact with faculty, students and staff of diverse cultural backgrounds.
- Ability to exercise discretion in handling confidential financial matters.
- Ability to manage tight deadlines and competing priorities.
- Trained or willing to be trained in USC’s Gamecock Research Administrators Network Training
Job Duties
Job Duty
Identify grant opportunities
- Searches for external funding opportunities.
- Learns faculty areas of interest and common funding agencies.
Essential Function
Yes
Percentage of Time
10
Job Duty
Serve as faculty liaison with USC departments
- Coordinates with SAM office and Grants & Funds Management on pre-and-post award compliance.
- Monitors subcontracts and cost share.
- Coordinates with other departments on shared grant opportunities.
Essential Function
Yes
Percentage of Time
10
Job Duty
Pre-award grant budget and proposal
- Provides faculty and students with pre-award grant proposal assistance.
- Works closely with research administration consultant facilitating pre-award activity by creating timelines and checklists for proposals to ensure timely and accurate submission, budget and justification development, sub-award coordination, and proposal processing through USCERA and other sponsor submission portals (grants.gov, research.gov, etc.)
- Communicates with outside entities regarding sub-award inclusion in proposals.
- Reviews and approves internal and external proposals, including cost share when applicable, and ensures accuracy of the budget for the proposed project.
Essential Function
Yes
Percentage of Time
25
Job Duty
Post-award grant financial support
- Coordinates and collaborates with PIs on new awards to ensure proactive administration of sponsored projects; including reviewing budgets for accuracy; ensuring payroll allocations and cost transfers are made promptly; reviewing cost share commitments and budgets, as necessary, etc.
- Manages a portfolio of sponsored awards and serves as liaison between unit/PIs, SAMand GFM for grants administration.
- Provides bi-monthly financial reports of research accounts to principal investigators.
- Assists with post-award tasks, including budget projections, extensions, and close-out.
- Ensures compliance with all relevant, federal, state and University regulations and policies, including OMB Uniform Guidance, by monitoring and evaluating grant and contract activities.
- Monitors cost share budgets and expenditures to ensure cost share commitments are met in a timely manner.
Essential Function
Yes
Percentage of Time
30
Job Duty
Faculty training and compliance
- Trains new faculty and students on USC sponsored award processes and software such as USCERA.
- Maintains/obtains necessary training and knowledge related to all aspects of the pre-award system through webinar and conference attendance.
- Communicates institutional and sponsor policies and procedures as appropriate to ensure compliance and proactively keep departments and individuals apprised of changes in policies and regulations of federal and non-federal grantor agencies.
- Works with departments and PIs on campus to achieve compliance.
- Assists with trainings as needed.
Essential Function
Yes
Percentage of Time
15
Job Duty
Administrative Support
- Works closely with the HR Manager and Business Manager to confirm grant related charges.
- Completes monthly F&A transfers and time and effort reports.
- Processes JE’s, JV’s and Apex to correct incorrect or inappropriate charges related to external grants
- Monitors year end grant budgets and request carry-forward funds.
- Prepares fiscal reports and analyses, as requested, for externally funded projects.
Essential Function
Yes
Percentage of Time
10
Position Attributes
Employees in Safety-Sensitive or Security-Sensitive positions will be subject to pre-employment and post-employment drug testing in accordance with University policy HR 1.95 Drug and Alcohol Testing.
Safety Sensitive or Security Sensitive
No
Hazardous weather category
Non-Essential
Posting Detail Information
Number of Vacancies
1
Desired Start Date
Job Open Date
11/26/2025
Job Close Date
01/10/2026
Open Until Filled
No
Special Instructions to Applicant
Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email.
We are only accepting applications submitted by January 10, 2025
The University of South Carolina offers a valuable benefits package including but not limited to:
- Health and Life Insurance
- Retirement Programs
- Paid Tuition
- Dependent Scholarships
- Annual Leave
- Sick Leave
- 13 Paid Holidays (including an extended December holiday)
- Paid Parental Leave
- Professional Development Opportunities
Click here to learn more about why you should work at USC.
Quicklink for Posting
https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/198726
EEO Statement
The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender (including transgender), gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDs status, military status, national origin, pregnancy (false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, childbirth, recovery therefrom or related medical conditions, breastfeeding), race, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other bases under federal, state, local law, or regulations.
Salary : $59,581 - $69,500
