Grants Specialist RACE

PRIMARY FUNCTION :
The position of Research Administration Center of Excellence (RACE) Grants Specialist will be responsible for working with assigned departments as well as their RACE Manager and/or Associate Director to post-award research activities while delivering excellent customer service. The position will perform support functions for TJU Principal Investigators (PIs), with a focus on ensuring that PIs have accurate and timely information to make decisions. The Grants Specialist will be provided an individualized opportunity to further their career path while receiving exposure to and training in more complex aspects of research administration. Portfolio assignments will be determined based on their experience, job level, and portfolio complexity (grant type/sponsors/PIs). Individuals within this role will communicate extensively and directly with faculty regarding their grant finances, progress reports, day-to-day needs, etc. The Grants Specialist will take on an increasingly complex research portfolio including but not limited to programmatic grants (Cooperative Agreements, Program Project Grants, and Training Grants).
Research is a vital component of the TJU's mission and support of research administration is a key component of success for RACE. The Grants Specialist positions within RACE are mid-level research administration staff positions requiring the incumbent to ensure proper stewardship of grants financial management. The Grants Administrator II is a full-time position that will strive to meet the research needs of Principal Investigators in basic, applied, or clinical research. The Grants Specialist will report to the Manager, Post Award, and/or the Associate Director within the assigned team. The Grants Specialist models and fosters behavior that establishes a culture that values the staff/faculty partnership and is consistent with the values, goals, and objectives of the enterprise/department to create an atmosphere of trust, cooperation, accountability, empowerment, and dedication to the research mission of the enterprise.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
% Effort
Responsibility
90%
PI Post-Award Support

Examines awards for suitability of terms and conditions and reviews budgets with PI; coordinates establishment of project accounts for the grant and sub-awards (as applicable)

Working with the RACE Manager and/or Associate Director, administers grant by monitoring award and sub-awards for compliance, analyzing monthly financial reports, communicating with PI regarding financial progress and coordinating activities at the end of the budget period

Maintains accounting records for all awards within their assigned portfolio

Reconciles all assigned accounts against the General Ledger on a monthly basis

Coordinates personnel and purchasing activities with the PI and applicable TJU offices; review and act as a signatory (if designated by the PI) for budget summaries, budget adjustment forms, JVs, Travel Authorizations and Reimbursements, Invoices, Check Requests, Expense Reimbursements and Purchase Requisitions as necessary

Ensures payroll distribution is correct for faculty, graduate students, fellows and support staff on a bi-weekly basis and processes changes as needed

Meets with PIs at least monthly to provide updates on the financial status of their accounts

Acts as a liaison between PIs and ORA/SPAO to communicate and resolve any issues that arise concerning expenditures

Assists PIs with effort reports to ensure accuracy and timely submission

Assists PIs with budget development for progress reports

Assists with submission of progress reports, program reviews and other activities related to the grant

Working with ORA as appropriate, assists with providing just in time information or other agency requests such as budget revisions, compliance issues, etc.

10%
Other Responsibilities

Serves as a resource to department staff and faculty to ensure compliance with policy

Attends regular meetings, training sessions, and professional development workshops/seminars to keep current on policies and procedures relevant to position responsibilities, as requested and approved by the RACE Associate Director(s) (supervisor) or Director, Post-Award (RACE).

OTHER FUNCTIONS AND COMPETENCIES:

• Experience working with research administration software applications in both pre- and post-award.
• General knowledge of applicable federal, state and other sponsor regulations related to sponsored projects, including the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) Uniform Guidance.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills, including experience researching and analyzing complex data to develop accurate reports, identify valid solutions, forecast consequences of proposed action and implement a course of action.
• Ability to work independently in a team environment, take ownership of the resolution of problems, be flexible and accountable, manage conflicting responsibilities, prioritize tasks and consistently meet deadlines.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Research Administrators, Associate Directors, the RACE Director, and a variety of other constituents within and outside the Offices of Research Support Services.
• Demonstrate excellent oral and written communication skills with experience in communicating with a broad range of audiences through various mediums.
• Capability to manage administrative aspects of sponsored programs supporting basic, applied, or clinical research.
• Embrace change and ambiguity.

• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications
EDUCATIONAL/TRAINING REQUIREMENTS:
Associate's degree in General Studies, Business, Finance or Healthcare Administration, or related field required. Bachelor's degree preferred.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS :
1. 3+ years experience in research administration-related work.

Computer skills in a PC/Windows environment, including MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, demonstrated by application materials and previous experience.

Excellent written communication skills and attention to detail as demonstrated by application materials.

Closing Statement
About Jefferson
Nationally ranked, Jefferson, which is principally located in the greater Philadelphia region, Lehigh Valley and Northeastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey, is reimagining health care and higher education to create unparalleled value. Jefferson is more than 65,000 people strong, dedicated to providing the highest-quality, compassionate clinical care for patients; making our communities healthier and stronger; preparing tomorrow's professional leaders for 21st-century careers; and creating new knowledge through basic/programmatic, clinical and applied research. Thomas Jefferson University , home of Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Jefferson College of Nursing, and the Kanbar College of Design, Engineering and Commerce, dates back to 1824 and today comprises 10 colleges and three schools offering 200+ undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 8,300 students. Jefferson Health , nationally ranked as one of the top 15 not-for-profit health care systems in the country and the largest provider in the Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley areas, serves patients through millions of encounters each year at 32 hospitals campuses and more than 700 outpatient and urgent care locations throughout the region. Jefferson Health Plans is a not-for-profit managed health care organization providing a broad range of health coverage options in Pennsylvania and New Jersey for more than 35 years.
Jefferson is committed to providing equal educational and employment opportunities for all persons without regard to age, race, color, religion, creed, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, marital status, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, military status, veteran status, handicap or disability or any other protected group or status.