Position Summary

Join a vibrant campus community whose excellence is reflected in its diversity and student success. West Chester University of Pennsylvania’s Office of Research and Sponsored Programs invites applicants for the position of Grants Development Specialist (SUA 3). 
 
West Chester University, a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, is a public, comprehensive institution committed to offering high-quality undergraduate education, selected post-baccalaureate and graduate programs, and a variety of educational and cultural resources for its students, alumni, and citizens of southeastern Pennsylvania. We are a community of educators dedicated to developing graduates who succeed personally and professionally and contribute to the common good.
 
WCU proudly offers a positive and purposeful work environment; comprehensive employee benefits including health, vision, and dental insurance along with many wellness programs; a commitment to work-life balance including generous paid vacation, paid sick time, military leave and paid time off for most major holidays; and a University mission to support employee personal and professional growth including a tuition waiver for self and family members, training and development, and advancement opportunities.
 
The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP) mission is to facilitate, coordinate, and safeguard the institution’s research and creative activity enterprise by supporting faculty and promoting student research and creative activities. The Office has received over $6 M of external funding for this year, nearly 300 IRB submissions, and submitted more than $15M in grant funding proposals in the 2023 fiscal year to contribute to the learning community and develop skills that lead to success.

Reporting to the Associate Provost for Research and Creative Activity, the Grants Development Specialist (GDS) works closely with the Associate Provost in the design and administration of a comprehensive system for obtaining, managing, and stewarding external grant support for institutional priorities and faculty research. This position provides leadership and vision for increasing external grant and contract support; submits grant applications on behalf of the University while ensuring compliance; prepares complex budgets, in amounts up to $5 million, in support of grant proposals; facilitates faculty and staff training; and develops campus-wide awareness and interest in externally funded sponsored program opportunities in collaboration with faculty, administrators, and staff.
 
The ideal candidate will demonstrate experience with grants administration, submissions, and federal guidelines regarding sponsored projects; experience creating and updating complex budgets; the ability to manage multiple time sensitive projects in a fast-paced environment; attention to detail; the ability to review legal documents and proposals critically and collaboratively; and to communicate effectively across a diverse population.  

Responsibilities include: 

• Manage pre-award, non-financial post award and compliance activities for grants 
• Facilitate workshops for faculty and staff
• Provide support to faculty and staff in the development, preparation, and submission of grant and contract proposals and budgets
• Ensure applications meet federal, sponsor, and university guidelines and deadlines 
• Communicate with sponsor and faculty
• Oversee grant reporting
• Write compliance policies in collaboration with campus partners
• Maintain compliance documentation for all federal, state, and sponsor requirements
• Collaborate with campus constituencies across PASSHE, including University Legal Counsel, PASSHE Director of Sponsored Programs and Grant Development, University Finance and Business Services, Human Resources, senior staff, and faculty
• Maintain a comprehensive knowledge of all federal and state regulations governing research and sponsored projects including but not limited to OMB Uniform Guidance, Code of Federal Regulations, Federal sponsor terms such as those from the National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health
• Interpret and communicate sponsor guidelines, policies, and regulations to faculty, administrators, and staff
• Meet tight application deadlines
• Provide extensive proposal development support for principal investigators
• Review of proposals for accuracy and clarity, and provide appropriate feedback to faculty 
• Prepare complex line-item budgets in support of grant proposals in collaboration with Finance and Business Services
• Ensure budget aligns with proposed activities and all costs are calculated in accordance with state, University, sponsor, and federal guidelines  
• Maintain submissions and awards database
• Remain up to date with regulations, policies, and guidelines related to the conduct of research and laws and regulations governing sponsored programs
• Perform other related duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Experience in grant submissions and / or administration 
• Demonstrated understanding of federal funding agencies, grants, and policy guidelines
• Budget experience 
• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office including Outlook, Word, and Excel

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated comprehensive knowledge of federal, state, and university regulations governing sponsored projects
• Research Administrator certification by the Research Administration Certification Council
• Experience using on-line submission tools including Workspace, NIH Assist, and Research.gov
• Master’s Degree

Special Instructions

Ask about opportunities to work from home and alternate work schedules.
 
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.  
  
Candidates should apply online at https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/wcupa. Application materials must include a resume, cover letter and references (all required for consideration).
 
Applicants must successfully complete the interview process to be considered as a finalist.
  
Developing and sustaining a diverse faculty and staff advances WCU’s educational mission and strategic Plan for Excellence. West Chester University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
  
All offers of employment are subject to and contingent upon satisfactory completion of all pre-employment background checks.

About West Chester University of Pennsylvania

West Chester University (WCU) of Pennsylvania is among the top regional comprehensive public universities in the nation, serving more than 17,500 students at the undergraduate and graduate levels with a national reputation for excellence, value, and student success. Founded in 1871 as an institute for teacher preparation, West Chester offers more than 118 undergraduate and 103 graduate programs in more than 50 fields of study. In addition to the main campus in West Chester, the University offers programs through its graduate center, the Philadelphia campus, and online. Five colleges and two schools comprise the University: Colleges of Arts and Humanities, Business and Public Management, Education and Social Work, Health Sciences, and the Sciences and Mathematics, as well as the School of Music, and the School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate Studies. Located in Chester County (25 miles from downtown Philadelphia) the area combines the best of enjoyable daily living with easy access to the full spectrum of country and city attractions. We are a community of educators dedicated to developing graduates who succeed personally and professionally and contribute to the common good.

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