Grants & Contracts Specialist

Washington State University; Mount Vernon (WA); Hybrid; USD 50,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

Washington State University is seeking a Grants & Contracts Specialist to provide fiscal and analytical support for sponsored programs at its Mount Vernon and Puyallup centers and CSANR. You will independently manage financial aspects of grants across multiple PIs with diverse funding sources.

The role involves budget development, monitoring, forecasting, and compliance oversight to ensure proper use of funds.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, auditing, or budgeting with 18 quarter or 12 semester hours.
• One year of experience in grants and contracts.
• Equivalent education/experience may substitute for minimum qualifications.

Responsibilities

• Manage the financial aspects of grants and contracts across multiple centers.
• Develop spending plans and monitor financial performance.
• Forecast and ensure timely, accurate financial reporting.
• Collaborate with faculty and administrative partners to resolve issues.
• Support the full award lifecycle from pre- to post-award.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting or budgeting

Tools

Microsoft Office

Workday

myResearch

Job description

Online applications must be received before 11:59pm on: September 13, 2026.

If a date is not listed above, review the Applicant Instructions below for more details.

Available Title(s)

143J-YN_CS_NPS - Fiscal Analyst 2

Business Title

Grants & Contracts Specialist

Employee Type

Classified

Position Details

The Opportunity

As a Grants & Contracts Specialist, you will provide professional fiscal and analytical support for sponsored programs at the Washington State University (WSU) Mount Vernon and Puyallup Research and Extension Centers and the Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources (CSANR) under general supervision. You will independently manage the financial aspects of grants and contracts, supporting faculty throughout the full award lifecycle, including budget development, financial monitoring, forecasting, and compliance oversight to ensure the effective and compliant use of sponsored funds. You will manage a high-volume, complex portfolio of sponsored projects across multiple principal investigators, including federal, state, and private funding sources with diverse regulatory and financial requirements. In this role, you will apply principles of accounting and grant management to analyze and interpret financial activity, identify trends, evaluate performance, and support decision‑making. You will collaborate with faculty and administrative partners to develop spending plans, monitor financial performance, resolve issues, and ensure timely and accurate financial reporting. This position requires strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities while delivering accurate, timely, and customer‑focused financial support in a complex regulatory environment.

Percentage Breakdown Of Job Functions

• 40% Post-Award
• 40% General Grants & Contracts Support
• 10% Pre-Award
• 10% Other duties

Additional Information

This is a full time (100% FTE), permanent position. This position is overtime eligible.

Monthly Salary

$4,517 to $6,075 | Range 49 Steps A - M | Successful candidates are typically hired at the beginning of the salary range and receive scheduled salary increment increases in accordance with WAC 357-28. In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate’s current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position.

Benefits

WSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; deferred compensation, optional supplemental retirement accounts; training and development; and employee tuition waiver. For additional information, please review the detailed Summary of Benefits offered by WSU for Classified staff and Total Compensation.

Required Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, which must include 18 quarter or 12 semester hours in accounting, auditing, or budgeting AND one (1) year experience working in grants and contracts.
• Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with the WSU myResearch and Workday.
• Experience with the WSU grants and contracts policies, procedures, forms, and systems.
• Office of Research Support and Operations (ORSO) Budget Certified.
• Demonstrated computer skills including proficiency with Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and in a team environment.

Position Sponsorship Eligibility

Not eligible for work visa sponsorship

Area/College

College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS)

Department Name

WSU Mount Vernon Northwestern Washington Research and Extension Center

Location

Mount Vernon, WA

This position is an on-site/in-person preferred role located on the WSU campus in Mount Vernon, WA with hybrid/remote option available.

Background Check

This position has been designated by the department to require a background check because it requires access to children or vulnerable adults as defined by RCW 74.34, engages in law enforcement, requires security clearance, interacts with WSU students in a counseling or advising capacity, has access to personal identifying and/or financial information, unsupervised access to university buildings/property, or other business-related need. A background check will not be completed until an initial determination of qualification for employment has been made.

Time Type

Full time

Position Term

12 Month

Washington State University encourages all qualified candidates to apply, including members of the military and veterans, and persons with disabilities.

WSU employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

WSU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resource Services: 509-335-4521 (v), Washington State TDD Relay Service: Voice Callers: 1-800-833-6384; TDD Callers: 1-800-833-6388, 509-335-1259(f), or [e-mail].

Notice of Non-Discrimination

In matters of admission, employment, housing or services, or in the educational programs or activities it operates, WSU does not discriminate or permit discrimination by any member of its community against any individual on the basis of sex, race, color, national or ethnic origin, physical disability, mental disability, sensory disability, use of a trained service animal, age, religion, creed, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, honorably discharged veteran, member of the military, or immigration or citizenship status except as authorized by federal or state law, regulation, or government contract.
Inquiries about the application of federal and state laws and regulations (including inquiries regarding the application of Title IX, ADA/Section 504, and implementing regulations), as well as reports and complaints of discrimination and harassment, can be made verbally or in writing to WSU's Compliance and Civil Rights, the Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights, or both.
More information, resources, and contact information are available here: https://ccr.wsu.edu/notice-of-nondiscrimination/