Job Class 8223GG Grants/Contracts Prof 3 – G&C Generalist

The Division of Health Policy and Management (HPM) in the School of Public Health is seeking a Grants & Contracts Professional 3 - G&C Generalist to serve as sponsored and non-sponsored grant accountant for assigned faculty to support BOTH pre- and post-award activity. Duties to include: grant/contract application preparation; financial activity monitoring and reporting; budget reconciliation, budget forecasting, analysis of data and transactions for compliance. The position will interpret award regulations and communicate required information to faculty and staff, as well as proactively identify and resolve issues related to carry forward requests, no cost extensions, re-budgeting requirements, grant close-outs, changes in personnel, cost-share/salary cap compliance, and effort certification.  The position will provide expertise to faculty and other stakeholders on grant application, reporting and fiscal management issues.  Strong communication skills, and capacity to work both independently and as part of a team are important attributes.

The School of Public Health is committed to anti-racism and anti-oppression in our mission and operations. In pursuit of this goal, we consider an individual’s record working with students and colleagues from historically marginalized backgrounds and experience identifying and eliminating systemic barriers to academic success. Because the SPH and the Division seek to increase the diversity of its workforce, we particularly encourage applications from those who belong to groups that have been historically underrepresented in our discipline, including those who are Black, Indigenous, and people of color, those with disabilities, and those from LGBTQIA+ communities.

salary range: $65,000 - $85,000, depending on degree of qualifications

JOB DUTIES
40% Pre-award Proposal Development
• Prepare grant and contract budgets and applications for a variety for government and private agencies (e.g., NIH, AHRQ, CMS, American Cancer Society.)
• Develop 1:1 working relationships with assigned faculty and assist them in preparing and submitting funding proposals to a variety of funding sources internal and external to the University.

25% Post-award Grants Management
• Monitor spending activity on assigned accounts and reconcile account activity on a monthly basis; resolve accounting issues identified during reconciliation.
• Prepare monthly and annual reports for assigned grants/projects/programs for principle investigators and departmental financial team.
• Prepare detailed and complex financial analysis of assigned accounts to problem solve, identify areas of concern, document for audit purposes, and recommend a course of action to resolve any issues. 
• Analyze situations that arise and use judgment to interpret grant, contract, and University regulations.
• Monitor spending activity on assigned accounts and reconcile account activity on a monthly basis; resolve accounting issues identified during reconciliation. Must be proficient to interpret and apply policy to grant management situations.
• Facilitate meetings with principle investigators regarding the monitoring of grant expenditures and balances, and advise on other related non-sponsored financial accounting matters by keeping the principle investigator and the finance manager informed of current and projected balances. 
o Provide data and recommendations regarding account balances, budgeting practices, and accounting functions.
o Provide support and recommendations regarding administrative requests to the sponsor such as submission of re-budget requests, no-cost extension letters, changes to key personnel, requests for carryover of unspent funds, budget short falls/overruns, as well as subaward activity and contract set up and amendments. 
• Draft and review communications as needed that go out to the sponsors on behalf of the principle investigator and the University to ensure compliance and financial integrity.

10% General Finance
• Serve as a resource, consulting with principle investigators, administrative/lab staff, and other accounting and payroll staff regarding financial services, practices, and policy and procedure interpretation related to procurement allowances, travel, appropriate justification preparations, p-card usability, and other financial regulatory activities.
• Serve as liaison between the principle investigator and the Office of Sponsored Projects Administration, Sponsored Financial Reporting and department staff, interpreting and explaining policy and procedural requirements.
• Work within the team to provide information to resolve gaps in processes or procedures. Analyze the efficiency and adequacy of established department accounting procedures; and develop and implement changes in collaboration with Finance Manager. 
• Attend CA user group meetings.

10% Effort Certification Coordination
• Coordinate effort certification for assigned faculty and grants, including managing and monitoring payroll distributions, effort, salary commitments, salary cap issues, and budgetary implications.
• Communicate regularly with principle investigators regarding necessary distribution changes; process necessary corrections and set up required cost-share/salary cap correctly.

10% Alternate Departmental Certified Approver
• Serve as a back-up departmental Certified Approver as assigned.
• Audit and approve/deny expenditures on assigned sponsored and non-sponsored accounts based on administrative requirements of the University and sponsor.

5% Maintain Certified Approver Status
• Attend classes, workshops, seminars, and other meetings to remain up-to-date on system and policy changes, maintain Certified Approver status, and continuing professional development. 
• Serve on various central and local committees, advisory boards and user groups.

The University of Minnesota offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

•          Competitive wages, paid holidays, vacation and sick leave
•          Low cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
•          Health care and dependent daycare flexible spending accounts
•          Excellent retirement plans with employer match
•          Disability and employer paid life insurance
•          Wellbeing program with reduced insurance premiums
•          Tuition reimbursement opportunities covering 75%-100% of eligible tuition
•          Student loan forgiveness opportunity
•          Opportunities for growth and promotion
•          Employee Assistance Program

For more information regarding benefits: https://humanresources.umn.edu/new-employees/benefits-summaries

All required qualifications must be documented on application materials
Required Qualifications
• BA/BS plus at least 4 years of experience or a combination of related education and work experience to equal eight years.
• Proven experience preparing and submitting grant and contract proposals to a variety of agencies
• Proven experience with financial analysis, creating and maintaining finance reports, and budgeting.
• Demonstrated multicultural awareness and commitment to equal opportunity and access/Proven commitment to diversity and equity (adding a criteria along these lines would be good).
• Demonstrated strength in problem solving
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external organizations, groups, team leaders, and individuals
• Strong organizational and customer service orientation skills.
• Proficiency/experience with Microsoft Excel, Word and Adobe.
• Experience analyzing and reconciling data in multiple systems.
• Demonstrated ability to independently organize and direct multiple projects and interrelated financial activities with major operational or funding impact.

Preferred Qualifications
• Current or past grant-related work in an academic setting
• Evidence of successful working relationships with senior management and principal investigators.
• Familiarity with University systems such as PeopleSoft HRMS, EFS, UM Reports, ECRT and EGMS.
• Familiarity with University and sponsor accounting (Federal and non-Federal) regulations.
• Certified Approver (CA) status or gain status within 1 year
• Demonstrated ability to anticipate business needs of the PI and/or Center, develop and analyze alternatives, and make recommendations to faculty and unit leaders regarding budgets and financial impact.
• Participation in SPECTRUM training