Grants and Contracts Fiscal Specialist

Position Title: Grants and Contracts Fiscal Specialist 2

About the University:

Western Washington University, with over 14,000 students in seven colleges and the graduate school, is nationally recognized for its educational programs, students and faculty. The campus is located in Bellingham, Washington, a coastal community of 90,000 overlooking Bellingham Bay, the San Juan Islands and the North Cascades Mountain range. The city lies 90 miles north of Seattle and 60 miles south of Vancouver, British Columbia.

Western has additional sites in Anacortes, Bremerton, Everett, Port Angeles, and Poulsbo. Western is recognized nationally for its successes, such as being named one of the top public master's-granting institutions in the Pacific Northwest for 25 years in a row by U.S. News & World Report.

Western Washington University is committed to achieving excellence through advancing inclusive success, increasing our Washington impact, and focusing on transformational education grounded in the liberal arts and sciences and based on innovative scholarship, research, and creative activity. Western's greatest strength is the outstanding students, faculty, staff, and alumni/ae who make up its community. Western supports an inclusive governance structure for all and provides a learning and working environment in which everyone can thrive.

In pursuit of this excellence, individual employees are expected to establish and maintain productive and effective inclusive working relationships amongst diverse populations including staff, faculty, administration, students, and external constituents.

About the Department:

The Research and Sponsored Programs Office supports Western's mission, which states that together with our students, staff, and faculty, we are committed to making a positive impact in the state and the world with a shared focus on academic excellence and inclusive achievement. We encourage applications from women, people of color, people with disabilities, veterans, and other candidates from underrepresented backgrounds and with diverse experiences interested in this opportunity.

About the Position:

The Grants and Contracts Fiscal Specialist 2 is a key member of the Office of Research and Sponsored Projects team providing post-award fiscal guidance, assistance, and administrative support for an assigned group of principal investigators (PIs) in Environmental Science, Anthropology, and Sociology. It also serves a centralized compliance function specific to Effort Certification on federal awards across campus. There is an emphasis on providing payroll/personnel support, purchasing/contract administration, basic fiscal reporting, and monitoring for compliance with applicable federal, state, and institutional policies and procedures.

Successful candidates will have a background in fiscal processes, demonstrate a willingness to learn and grow in the role, and have excellent communication skills. The position will work closely with WWU’s Fiscal Analyst 3, Grant Accountant, and Departmental and College Administration to ensure excellent customer service to PIs.

The position is open to Washington State residents and offers the opportunity for remote/hybrid work from the Bellingham campus.

This is a project-employment position ending no later than May 31, 2026.

Required Qualifications:

• Two years of experience at a level equivalent to Fiscal Specialist 1, including experience in maintaining financial records, preparing reports, and assisting with budgets OR an equivalent combination of education and experience that demonstrates the required knowledge and skills.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to work with numerical data accurately.
• Familiarity with budgeting processes and financial recordkeeping systems.
• Proficiency in using Microsoft Excel that includes moderately complex formulas, multi-worksheet spreadsheets, and intermediate logic.
• Ability to analyze financial data and prepare clear, concise reports.
• Strong organizational skills to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills to work collaboratively with team members and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to follow established procedures and maintain confidentiality in handling financial information.
• Demonstrated commitment and ability to cultivate work environments that are equitable and inclusive for individuals from diverse social identities and backgrounds.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Accounting, or closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience performing fiscal/budgetary responsibilities in a college or university environment.
• Experience in managing fiscal/budgetary responsibilities for grants, contracts, and/or sponsored programs.

Conditions of Employment:

All employees must comply with our Immunization policies, including Proof of Rubeola Measles Immunity within 60-days of hire. Please reach out to HR if you need information regarding medical or religious exemption and applicable…