NSHE Specialist 1 - First Generation Student Center

University of Nevada, Reno; Reno (NV); On-site; USD 45,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PERS Retirement System enrollment

Health insurance (dental & vision)

Life insurance & generous leave

Fitness Center access

Employee assistance program

Grants-in-aid programs

Family opportunity program

Job summary

The University of Nevada, Reno is seeking an NSHE Specialist 1 to oversee grant compliance, budgeting, and financial operations for multiple accounts. This role supports internal audits, prepares reports, and collaborates with program management to ensure accurate budgeting and financial controls.

Responsibilities include managing up to 18 accounts, developing forecasts, reconciling statements, and assisting with cost analyses and reporting for regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with 1 year of relevant experience.
• Alternatively, graduation from high school with 3 years of program support experience equivalent to Administrative Assistant III in Nevada state service.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience as described above.

Responsibilities

• Forecast budgets and prepare monthly cost reports.
• Reconcile all accounts monthly and conduct financial analysis.
• Set up new awards and annual budgets; close out grant cycle awards and accounts.
• Review budget variances and propose solutions to program management.
• Perform cost-benefit analyses to support strategic funding decisions.
• Support department leadership in audits and maintain audit documentation.

Skills

Budget forecasting

Financial analysis

Budget reconciliation

HR oversight

Audit support

Education

Bachelor’s degree + 1 year experience

High school + 3 years program support experience

Equivalent education/experience

Job description

Job Title

NSHE Specialist 1

About Us

The University of Nevada, Reno is a leading public research university committed to the promise of a future powered by knowledge. Founded in 1874 as Nevada’s original land-grant university, the University serves more than 23,000 undergraduate and graduate students from all 50 states and 63 countries. Classified by the Carnegie® Classification of Institutions of Higher Education as an R1 (“Very High Research”) university, it is also recognized in the Carnegie® Community Engagement classification. The University is ranked by U.S. News & World Report among the “Best National Universities” and “Best National Public Universities.” It also ranks in the top tier of the WSJ/Times Higher Education World University Rankings and the New York Times’ “Top Colleges for Economic Diversity.” Since 2009, nearly $1 billion has been invested in advanced labs, facilities, and residence halls on the main campus. The University is home to Nevada’s first medical school – the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine and the Wayne L. Prim Campus at Lake Tahoe, where education, research, and creative work thrive in a stunning mountain setting. The University delivers on its original land-grant mission with outreach across the state through the University of Nevada, Reno Extension, Nevada Agricultural Experiment Station, Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology, Nevada Small Business Development Center, the Nevada Seismological Laboratory, and Wolf Pack Athletics. The main campus is in Reno, Nevada, a bustling global technology hub with a vibrant midtown and downtown. The University’s physical infrastructure is expanding with ongoing construction of the newly named John Tullock Business Building, set to open in fall 2025.

Job Description

We are recruiting for an NSHE Specialist 1 to support the First-Generation Student Center. This position does not provide layoff rights and is contingent upon funding. It serves as the subject matter expert for grant compliance management, applying expert knowledge of federal and private foundation grant regulations and budgeting rules. This position manages up to 18 accounts, including state and gift accounts. Responsibilities include budget forecasts, monthly reconciliation of all accounts, financial analysis; setting up new awards and annual budgets; closing out grant cycle awards and accounts, preparing monthly and annual cost reports; reviewing budget variances and offering solutions to program management; and performing cost-benefit analyses to support strategic funding decisions. This role also supports department leadership in university and federal/state regulatory audits, preparing required financial data and reporting, and maintaining audit documentation across five types of federal grants. Additional duties include data entry and verification, integrity audits, and staff training on new policies and procedures, along with oversight of HR functions for the department including hiring, training, and supervising student workers, search coordination, onboarding, payroll oversight, and time and effort reporting certification for grant-funded positions. The position also manages department travel, purchase card reconciliations, all financial processes, supply ordering and management, and inventory asset ordering, reporting, and tracking.

Essential Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and one (1) year of relevant experience; OR Graduation from high school or equivalent education and three (3) years of program support experience equivalent to an Administrative Assistant III in Nevada state service which included applying complex laws and regulations, composing written materials, and maintaining records; OR An equivalent combination of education and experience as described above.

Schedule

The typical work schedule is Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm; this is subject to change based on organizational needs.

Compensation

Grade 31
In classified service, salary is in Grade and Step. The Step is determined based on the Nevada Administrative Code. Salary placement above a Step 01 at initial appointment is determined based on the recruitment, the candidate’s qualifications, internal equity and budgets. A request to accelerate salary must be approved by Human Resources and abide by the Nevada Administrative Code.

Perks

• PERS Employees are enrolled in The Public Employees’ Retirement System of Nevada (PERS) upon hire.
• Rich retirement plan - Retirement Calculator
• Health insurance options including dental and vision - Health Insurance Life insurance, generous annual and sick leave - Classified Benefits
• E. L. Wiegand Fitness Center offers annual or semester memberships and spouse/domestic partner membership options. E.L. Wiegand Fitness Center Mountain EAP supports employees (and eligible dependents) through life's difficult moments. Mountain EAP is located in Reno and specializes in counseling and advising services for personal or interpersonal issues.
• SEC Grants-in-aid for Classified Employees
• Classified Staff Grants-In-Aid Benefit
• Classified Employee Family Opportunity Program – offers this program for spouses, domestic partners, and dependents of Classified employees (working at least 50%). The program may be used for undergraduate and graduate state-supported courses.

Eligibility and Compliance

All employees are required to participate in a mandatory retirement plan in lieu of Social Security. Employment may impact Social Security benefits. Additional information is available at SSA 1945. Background check will be conducted on the candidate(s) selected for hire. HR will attempt to verify academic credentials upon receipt of hiring documents. If the academic credentials cannot be verified, HR will notify the faculty member that an official transcript of their highest degree must be submitted within thirty days of the faculty member’s first day of employment. Applicants hired on a federal contract may be subject to E-Verify. Applicants may be required to demonstrate the ability to perform job-related tasks. For positions that require driving, evidence of a valid driver's license will be required at the time of employment and as a condition of continued employment. Schedules are subject to change based on organizational needs.

Equal Opportunity

The University of Nevada, Reno is committed to providing a place of work and learning free of discrimination on the basis of a person’s age (40 or older), disability, whether actual or perceived by others (including service-connected disabilities), gender (including pregnancy related conditions), military status or military obligations, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, race (including hair texture and protected hairstyles such as natural hairstyles, afros, bantu knots, curls, braids, locks and twists), color, or religion (protected classes).

Posting Close Date

This posting is open until filled. Qualified individuals are encouraged to apply immediately. Lists of eligible candidates will be established and hiring may occur early in the recruiting process. Recruitment will close without notice when a sufficient number of applications are received or a hiring decision has been made.

Recruitment Contact

The University of Nevada, Reno and the Nevada System of Higher Education encourage applicants to seek relevant assistance. For accommodations related to completing an application, please contact Human Resources at [e-mail] or (775) 784‑1495. (An email address is also provided in the original posting contact lines.)