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The Western Psychiatric Hospital Office of Grants and Contracts (OGC) is seeking a Grants Specialist interested in joining a diverse group of research administrators serving the University of Pittsburgh Department of Psychiatry. As a top funded psychiatry department, our faculty are engaged in groundbreaking mental health research. The OGC is a dynamic and collaborative group that manages the fiscal operations of the department and works with university faculty members in all aspects of research grant administration.

The Grants Specialist will contribute to the mission of the OGC by providing support to department faculty and staff and collaborating with other OGC team members in different components throughout the lifecycle of research grants. Our Grants Specialists also have the opportunity to grow within the team in a career ladder that rewards professional development and continuing education.

All Grants Specialist candidates will be considered for this role (from levels I, II and III). The title and pay rate (minimum rate for Specialist I is $21.22, Specialist II is $23.94, Specialist III is $30.96) for these positions may vary depending on education level and years of experience.

Responsibilities:

Grants Specialist I:

• Independently execute a variety of account management functions across the lifecycle of grants including:

• Account activation, reconciliation, and forecasting

• Expense review and approval

• Effort and salary distribution and certification

• Grant closeout

• Ensure compliance with financial and administrative award terms and conditions.

• Provide mentorship to those in the Grants Assistant role.

• Collaborate with multiple OGC team members to facilitate daily operations and support the needs of research groups.

• Participate in process improvement and implementation of new methods.

Grants Specialist II:

• All responsibilities outlined above plus the following:

• Provide policy interpretation and procedure guidance to principal investigators and their staff.

• Responsible for on-going review and analysis of processes and actively contributing to process improvements for the OGC by communicating directly with OGC leadership.

• Identify and suggest training tools and topics for the WPIC research community.

• Provide mentorship to those in the Grants Specialist I role.

Grants Specialist III:

• All responsibilities outlined above plus the following:

• Serve on committees engaged to assess procedures and changes in the way the OGC conducts business.

• Identify, develop, and implement training tools for the WPIC research community.

• Provide mentorship to those in the Grants Specialist II role.

Grants Specialist I:

• Bachelors degree (preferably in Accounting, Finance or related field).

• One year of experience working with grants management in an academic setting or experience working in finance, accounting, or budget management.

Grants Specialist II:

• Bachelors degree (preferably in Accounting, Finance or related field).

• One year of experience working with grants management in an academic setting or experience working in finance, accounting, or budget management.

Grants Specialist III:

• Bachelor's degree, preferably in Accounting or Finance with three years of account or grants management experience

OR

• successful completion of the Certification Examination for Research Administrators with at least five years of professional experience in research or sponsored programs administration.

• Prior experience working with Department Manager and Access Databases is required.

• Excellent computer skills, particularly Microsoft Excel and Word.

• Knowledge of OMB Uniform Guidance and NIH Grants Policy Statement.

• Knowledge of a dual financial structure for grants management and to maintain cooperative working relationships with the Principle Investigators, sponsors, Institute accounting and administrative offices.

• Ability to ensure financial and research compliance of financial transaction expended on grants with the terms and conditions of the contract.

• Must be able to identify problem areas, offer solutions, and implement corrective action.

• Preferences: Excellent oral and written communications skills; prior accounting and computer skills; outgoing, friendly, customer service orientated personality.

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:

• Act 34

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran