Agreements SpecialistPortland State University

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 27,000 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 Agreements Specialist is a professional staff member in the office of Sponsored Projects Administration (SPA), the centralized administrative unit at Portland State University (PSU) responsible for University-wide administration of external funding received by the University 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 Agreements Specialist utilizes specialized skills to exercise discretion and independent judgment to perform work directly related to the acceptance of sponsored project agreements at PSU, having a large, diverse, and complex portfolio of federal and non-federal sponsored projects. The Agreements Specialist is responsible for reviewing, negotiating, and accepting the agreements that govern the sponsored projects at PSU and confirming that the terms and conditions accepted can be met by PSU. The Agreements Specialist is also responsible for the drafting, issuance and execution of subaward agreements related to PSU’s sponsored projects, as well as the proper documentation of non-standard terms, award management requirements, and funding attributes that enables SPA to appropriately manage and account for the project. The Agreements Specialist serves as an authorized representative for PSU with authority to bind the institution to financial and administrative commitments and certify compliance with federal regulations on behalf of the institution in accordance with PSU’s Delegated Signature Authority Policy.

This position is based at Portland State University’s vibrant urban campus in downtown Portland, where you’ll be part of a welcoming and collaborative community. We offer 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. Start date is negotiable.

Bachelor’s degree with three (3) or more years of related experience; a Master’s or other advanced degree in a related or relevant field may substitute for years of related experience

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities of incumbent:

Direct experience serving in a Contracts Specialist, Contracts Officer, or similar position which included duties such as:

Experience working in an institution of higher education and/or using the following systems: Kuali Research, OnBase, and Banner Financial Information System

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

Salary is dependent on several factors, and new employees will typically start around the Q1 level to allow for later growth within the salary band. PSU has a structured process for determining starting compensation, taking into account years of related experience, applicable skills, knowledge and abilities, market parity, and internal equity.

The minimum starting annual salary for this position is $64,584, but may be negotiated above this amount, dependent upon the factors above, the budget of the hiring department, and approval from HR.

An excellent benefits package includes 95% premium paid healthcare; a generous retirement and vacation package; and reduced tuition rates for employee, spouse or dependent at any of the Oregon University System schools.

Please visit our total compensation calculator to see the full value of our benefits package.