Job Title: Post-Award Grants Specialist

Department: PVARF Administration

Reports To: Executive Director

Starting Salary: $30.29 - $36.05 per hour ($63,000-75,000 annually)

POSITION SUMMARY

The Portland VA Research Foundation, Inc (PVARF) is hiring a Post-Award Grants Specialist for the administrative office. PVARF is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation whose mission is to facilitate the research and educational activities conducted at the VA Portland Health Care System (VAPORHCS). Located on the grounds of the VAPORHCS, PVARF provides administrative support for the research and education projects approved by the Research and Development or Education Committees being conducted by clinicians and scientists at the PVAMC. The mission of the PVARF administrative office is to provide helpful, efficient, and friendly support to VA staff at the VAPORHCS in their research and education endeavors. Come be a part of advancing biomedical science to better serve US Veterans.

Under the direction of the Executive Director, the Post-Award Grants Specialist will handle compliance for an assigned portfolio of awards from federal, state, and private sponsors, including grants, subawards, and clinical trial agreements. They will work closely with principal investigators, project teams, and PVARF research administration staff, using their knowledge of grant and contract management rules and regulations, including sponsor and institutional policy, their technical expertise, and critical thinking skills.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Interpret and ensure compliance with agency and institutional rules, regulations, and guidelines.
• Prepare no-cost extensions, carry forward requests, progress reports and other reporting as needed in conjunction with the Principal Investigator and/or PVARF research administration staff.
• Spearhead adoption of Clinical Trial Management System (CTMS) and provide ongoing management of the system.
• Close out awards and confirm all close-out activities have been completed in a timely manner.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education & Experience:

• Minimum of 2-3 years of experience and increasing responsibility in a research administration or grants specialist role, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Bachelor's degree preferred

Key Skills

• Digital literacy, including extensive experience with Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe Acrobat
• Ability to analyze, problem solve, interpret, and apply policies and regulations.
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team.
• Strong time management and multi-tasking skills.
• Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and problem-solving ability.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Because this position is based in a VA facility, the successful candidate must secure a VA Without Compensation Appointment (WOC) prior to starting work, and must maintain a WOC Appointment in order to continue employment.

The VA's WOC process will be facilitated by the supervisor and processed through the VA Research and Development office. The screening process required to obtain a WOC may include a background check, a credit check, a physical, a drug test, and a TB test.

After the WOC process has been completed, the VA also requires several trainings prior to employees starting work.

Portland VA Research Foundation is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to status as a protected veteran or a qualified individual with a disability, or other protected status such as race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin or age.

All PVARF employees are required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 within 8 weeks of hire, unless medically exempt. Employees will be required to provide either proof of vaccination or an approved medical exemption prior to beginning work.