Proposal Specialist

Summary

Job Category:
Grants and Contracts Administration
Job Title:
Proposal Specialist
Job Category Definition:
This specialty covers the activities related to the full lifecycle of sponsored program administration including identification of funding sources, proposal submission, contract negotiation, sub-award issuance, and post-award administration (both financial and non-financial) related to funding provided in the form of gifts, grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts from external/internal funding sources (e.g., federal agencies, state agencies, private companies, or foundations) that provide support for research, curriculum development, outreach, and/or service work. Breadth of duties may span several sub-specialties and may be either unit-specific, typically handling proposal submission and award administration, or more broadly-defined encompassing the ability to bind the University in contractual negotiations.
Job Title Definition:
The Proposal Specialist supports sponsored program administration including preparing, assembling and submitting proposals; preparing, reviewing and analyzing budgets; coordinating with appropriate personnel to resolve issues associated with meeting sponsor requirements; submitting financial assistance proposals; analyzing and implementing pricing tools; preparing certification packages and budget formats to solicitation requirements; performing compliance matrix on solicitation requirements; creates supporting documentation for sponsor review and Government pre-award audit; communicating and training various audiences on proposal preparation policy and practice; assisting in documenting University or third-party background intellectual property rights; and preparing small business subcontracting plans. Duties are performed at various levels within the defined title.
 
Working Conditions:
Specific physical requirements and effort are outlined in Job Responsibilities Worksheet (list of essential job duties and responsibilities specific to a particular job at the unit level) in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).
Other Requirements:
May need to be U.S. citizen; pass Federal background investigation and meet eligibility requirements for access to classified matter.

Levels

Level 1  

Level Details
Job Code Salary Band FLSA Status
GCGC0101 H Non-Exempt

Level 1 positions typically demonstrate baseline working knowledge of routine work applications; follow standard principles and systems and use appropriate terminology associated with a particular field of specialization; participate as a team member in a collaborative environment within a diverse workforce; actively contribute to completion of team goals and assigned tasks; clearly communicate information, ideas, or instructions verbally and in writing; follow recommended approach to assigned work to facilitate achievement of desired results; ensure safe practices and environmental consciousness are exhibited in decisions; typically work under direct and frequent supervision while performing routine duties using established procedures with detailed instructions.

Typical Education & Experience

0+ years related experience

Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Business Administration or related discipline

Or an equivalent combination of education and experience

May need to be U.S. citizen, pass Federal background investigation and meet eligibility requirements for access to classified matter

Typical Work Duties
  • Assist in preparing, assembling and submitting proposals for sponsored programs
  • Assist in the review and analysis of budgets
  • Coordinate with senior level contract specialists and technical personnel to resolve issues to ensure proposal meets sponsor requirements
  • Prepare routine letters, correspondence and standard forms
  • Assist in proposal related problem resolution to include providing supporting documentation in support of sponsor review and Government pre-award audit
  • Assist in the communication of proposal preparation policy and practice to internal faculty and staff
  • Establish and maintain proposal, files and records per University and/or sponsor requirements for official University records
  • Assist in documenting University or third party background intellectual property rights in proposal submissions
  • Assist in the identification of the need for Government property
  • Assist in the preparation of small business subcontracting plans

This profile is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions in this job title and should not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties should not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of a similar kind or level of difficulty.

Level 2  

Level Details
Job Code Salary Band FLSA Status
GCGC0102 I Exempt

Level 2 positions typically demonstrate intermediate knowledge of the concepts, practices and procedures of a particular field of specialization; perform intermediate tasks in defined skill areas/applications by continuously building on current job knowledge; maintain effective relationships with peers, vendors, and others in a diverse environment; support team decisions and follow through with team responsibilities; interpret information, ideas and instructions and communicate clearly and accurately both verbally and in writing including materials intended for distribution; determine causes of unusual occurrences and apply standard principles and practices to determine and implement solutions; ensure safe practices and environmental consciousness are exhibited in decisions; typically work under general supervision, while performing assignments that are varied and that may be somewhat difficult in character, but usually involve limited responsibility.

Typical Education & Experience

2+ years related experience

Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Business Administration or related discipline

Or an equivalent combination of education and experience

May need to be U.S. citizen, pass Federal background investigation and meet eligibility requirements for access to classified matter

Typical Work Duties
  • Prepare, review, analyze budgets; assemble and submit standard financial assistance and/or single level WBS (Work Breakdown Structure) proposals for sponsored programs
  • Coordinate with technical personnel to resolve issues, ensure proposal requirements, financial assistance and/or single level WBS (Work Breakdown Structure) standards are met
  • Prepare standard financial assistance forms
  • Provide supporting documentation in support of sponsor review and Government pre-award audit
  • Communicate proposal preparation policy and practice associated with financial assistance to internal faculty and staff
  • In consultation with Intellectual Property Office, document University or third party background intellectual property rights in financial assistance proposal submissions

This profile is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions in this job title and should not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties should not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of a similar kind or level of difficulty.

Level 3  

Level Details
Job Code Salary Band FLSA Status
GCGC0103 J Exempt

Level 3 positions typically demonstrate proficient and comprehensive knowledge of defined skill areas/applications to integrate fundamental elements from other specialties into work assignments; apply knowledge of principles, practices, and procedures of a particular field of specialization to complete difficult assignments; promote a culture that is conducive to effective relationships among diverse team members; ensure safe practices and environmental consciousness are exhibited in decisions; may lead a project team involved in completion of difficult assignments, requiring proficient knowledge of field of specialization; interpret and communicate information, ideas and instructions clearly, accurately and persuasively both verbally and in writing including materials intended for distribution; incorporate new facts and ideas into group processes and apply creative thinking to develop new solutions; typically work with minimal supervision on difficult assignments, conferring with manager on unusual matters.

Typical Education & Experience

5+ years related experience

Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Business Administration or related discipline

Or an equivalent combination of education and experience

May need to be U.S. citizen, pass Federal background investigation and meet eligibility requirements for access to classified matter

Typical Work Duties
  • Prepare, review, analyze budgets; assemble and submit multi-level WBS (Work Breakdown Structure) proposals for acquisition-type sponsored programs
  • Review, evaluate and articulate to proposal team solicitation requirements to ensure compliance with proposal instructions
  • Prepare certification packages and budget formats to solicitation requirements
  • Perform compliance matrix on solicitation requirements and coordinate with proposal team to resolve deficiencies
  • Participate on proposal team internal reviews
  • Maintain and enhance repository of proposal related materials (past performance, prewritten proposal sections, forms, templates, etc.)
  • Prepare termination proposal as required by regulation
  • Provide proposal training as required

This profile is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions in this job title and should not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties should not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of a similar kind or level of difficulty.

Level 4  

Level Details
Job Code Salary Band FLSA Status
GCGC0104 K Exempt

Level 4 positions typically demonstrate advanced knowledge of principles, practices, and procedures of a particular field of specialization and complete complex assignments; integrate complex elements from other specialties into work assignments; demonstrate a strong commitment to inclusionary practices which support diversity throughout the University; establish a shared vision and take responsibility for the achievement of team goals, and provide direction for appropriate implementation of plans; present ideas, concepts and instructions in a clear manner, and use persuasion and negotiation to build consensus and cooperation; ensure safe practices and environmental consciousness are exhibited in decisions; develop new techniques, concepts, theories, programs or solutions and apply them to complex strategic operating issues; typically work independently on complex work assignments, review progress and evaluate results and update management as appropriate; may direct and delegate work to lower-level staff.

Typical Education & Experience

8+ years related experience

Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Business Administration or related discipline

Or an equivalent combination of education and experience

May need to be U.S. citizen, pass Federal background investigation and meet eligibility requirements for access to classified matter

Typical Work Duties
  • Serve as lead cost analyst on highly complex major acquisition programs; ensure cost accuracy of resource loaded schedules to establish approved contract base line
  • Analyze and implement pricing tools; evaluate impact of pricing methodologies associated with organizational changes
  • Develop cost and price templates for input by all team members
  • Act as proposal lead for competitive cost volumes
  • Develop and implement training programs as required for technical and administrative staff on specialized proposal topics
  • Assist in the development and maintenance of unit specific website
  • Prepare bid rationale narrative and associated methodology
  • Oversee the maintenance and repository of proposal related materials (past performance, prewritten proposal sections, forms, templates, etc.)

This profile is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions in this job title and should not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties should not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of a similar kind or level of difficulty.

Level 5  

Level Details
Job Code Salary Band FLSA Status
GCGC0105 L Exempt

Level 5 positions typically extend mastery of job knowledge to the principles, theories and practices of related specialties; expand knowledge of best practices and incorporate into all work assignments and procedures; evaluate and enhance current practices and efforts to ensure optimal support of diversity; oversee leadership of teams and projects that involve extensive cooperation and coordination between multiple departments across the University or with external customers; prepare written and/or verbal presentations or proposals on highly complex issues and deliver to a broad variety of audiences; identify and implement innovative solutions to important, highly complex strategic and/or operational issues which may involve unusual circumstances and incomplete or conflicting data; ensure safe practices and environmental consciousness are exhibited in decisions; work independently on highly complex or strategic assignments; may direct and supervise lower-level staff.

Typical Education & Experience

11+ years related experience

Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Business Administration or related discipline

Or an equivalent combination of education and experience

May need to be U.S. citizen, pass Federal background investigation and meet eligibility requirements for access to classified matter

Typical Work Duties
  • Responsible for Government approved cost estimating system and associated audits
  • Function as domain expert on selected proposal issues
  • Review and approve final proposal package
  • Perform independent cost estimates utilizing various pricing methodologies
  • Develop pricing strategies and assess the impact associated with unit specific organizational changes
  • Responsible for Government certification and maintenance of an Earned Value Management system
  • Oversee the development and implementation of training programs as required for technical and administrative staff on specialized proposal topics
  • Responsible for the development and maintenance of unit specific website
  • Oversee the maintenance and repository of proposal related materials (past performance, prewritten proposal sections, forms, templates, etc.)

This profile is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions in this job title and should not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties should not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of a similar kind or level of difficulty.