Grants & Agreements Specialist

Position Number: D94243 | Department: Sponsored Projects Office (400401) | Classification: Fiscal Services, Rank N | FTE: 1.0 | Renewable appointment | Represented by AAUP (Article 17, Section 11 applies — open only to current PSU AAUP academic professionals). Proposed start date: 12/01/2026. Two positions available.

About the role

Portland State University is Oregon’s most affordable public research university, located in the heart of one of America’s most dynamic cities. Our mission to “let knowledge serve the city” reflects our dedication to turning ideas into action — in Portland and around the world. The city is our campus, giving students unmatched access to career connections, a vibrant cultural scene and hands-on learning experiences with hundreds of community partners. More than 20,000 students from all backgrounds bring diverse perspectives to our classrooms and campus life, from the tree-lined Park Blocks to the bustling Urban Plaza and state-of-the-art science labs. We are proud of our world-class faculty, groundbreaking research and international reputation for excellence in sustainability, community engagement and innovation.

The Grants & Agreements Specialist is a professional staff member in the Office of Sponsored Projects Administration (SPA), the centralized administrative unit at PSU responsible for University-wide administration of external funding received in the form of grants and agreements for research and other scholarly activity. SPA staff provide expertise and professional support to faculty and staff throughout the sponsored projects lifecycle. The Specialist utilizes specialized knowledge and exercises discretion and independent judgment to perform work directly related to the review, negotiation, acceptance, and stewardship of sponsored project agreements at PSU, managing a large, diverse, and complex portfolio of federal and non-federal sponsored projects. This position is based at PSU’s vibrant urban campus in downtown Portland, with flexible scheduling options and, when operational needs allow, the possibility of limited remote work (typically up to one day per week) under an approved remote work agreement in line with University policy.

Responsibilities

• Review, negotiate, and accept sponsored awards and research agreements to ensure terms and conditions can be met by the University.
• Draft, issue, and execute subaward agreements related to PSU sponsored projects.
• Document non-standard terms, award management requirements, funding attributes, and other relevant award information to support institutional stewardship, compliance, financial management, and effective award administration.
• Serve as an Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) and Institutional Signing Official for sponsored projects, authorized to execute sponsor-required certifications, assurances, representations, and other institutional approvals.
• Exercise delegated signature authority (per PSU’s Delegated Signature Authority Policy) to execute sponsored project agreements and other authorized documents that legally bind the University to financial and administrative commitments.
• Provide expertise and professional support to faculty and staff throughout the sponsored projects lifecycle.
• Interpret, explain, negotiate, and advise regarding complex regulations, sponsor requirements, policies, and procedures.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and two (2) to four (4) years of related professional experience; a Master’s or other advanced degree in a related or relevant field may substitute for a portion of the required experience.
• Related experience includes professional experience in sponsored projects administration or other positions involving the review, interpretation, negotiation, administration, or management of sponsored awards, research agreements, contracts, cooperative agreements, subawards, or related research administration functions.

Qualifications (Preferred)

• Master’s degree in a related field with one (1) or more years of related professional experience.
• Direct experience in sponsored projects administration, research administration, contract administration, or a similar professional role involving:
  • Reviewing, interpreting, negotiating, and accepting sponsored awards and research agreements.
  • Drafting and issuing outgoing subaward agreements.
  • Interpreting and applying sponsor requirements, federal and state regulations, and institutional policies.
  • Applying knowledge of Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), sponsor policies, and research administration principles and practices.
• Experience working in an institution of higher education or other research organization.
• Experience using electronic research administration, financial management, and document management systems, such as Kuali Research, Banner Finance, OnBase, or similar enterprise systems.
• Certified Research Administrator (CRA) or other relevant professional certification preferred.

Skills & Abilities

• Ability to organize workload priorities, manage multiple projects simultaneously, adapt to changing priorities, respond effectively to unexpected demands, and consistently meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to establish and maintain collaborative working relationships across organizational units and with individuals at all levels of the University, including faculty, departmental administrators, academic leadership, and central administrative offices.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and demonstrate problem-solving and decision-making; anticipate the consequences of decisions, proactively resolve issues, and recommend practical, well-reasoned solutions.
• Demonstrated written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to interpret, explain, negotiate, and advise others regarding complex regulations, sponsor requirements, policies, and procedures.
• Demonstrated skills with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel and Word, and the ability to learn and effectively utilize research administration and other enterprise information systems.
• Demonstrated commitment to providing responsive, professional, and solution-oriented service to internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to accurately interpret, analyze, and document complex sponsor requirements, agreement terms and conditions, and award information to support institutional stewardship, compliance, and effective award administration.

Key Cultural Competencies

• Create an environment that acknowledges, encourages, and celebrates differences.
• Function and communicate effectively and respectfully within the context of varying beliefs, behaviors, orientations, identities, and cultural backgrounds.
• Seek opportunities to gain experience working and collaborating in diverse, multicultural, and inclusive settings with a willingness to change for continual improvement.
• Adhere to all of PSU’s policies including the policies on Prohibited Discrimination & Harassment and the Professional Standards of Conduct.

Environmental Stewardship

Contributes to a culture of environmental stewardship, practices resource conservation, and actively works toward achieving long-term sustainability goals.

Schedule

Monday through Friday, 40 hours per week; specific schedule to be determined. Flexible scheduling options available; limited remote work (typically up to one day per week) possible under an approved remote work agreement when operational needs allow.

Pay

Starting annual salary: $64,584 (typically at the Q1 level of the salary band to allow for growth). Salary may be negotiated above this rate dependent upon years of related experience, applicable skills, knowledge and abilities, market parity, internal equity, the budget of the hiring department, and HR approval. PSU has a structured process for determining starting compensation.

Benefits

• 95% premium-paid healthcare.
• Generous retirement and vacation package.
• Reduced tuition rates for employee, spouse, or dependent at any Oregon University System school.
• Full benefits package details available via PSU’s total compensation calculator.