Penn State Job Catalog

Additional levels that exist for this job profile can be seen below.

The defined natural career progression within or between job profiles.

Research Compliance

The Research Compliance Specialist works with investigators, research teams, faculty, administrators, staff, and students to ensure institutional and regulatory research compliance obligations are met through a review, evaluation, approval, and continual monitoring process; conduct internal audits/inspections; assist research teams navigate external audits/inspections; keep abreast of compliance requirement changes; prepare reports; provide training.

• Develop research compliance monitoring policies and procedures; establish goals and objectives identifying successful program indicators
• Assist investigators, research teams, faculty, administrators, staff, and students meet institutional guidelines, state law, and federal regulatory compliance obligations; identify, interpret, and explain requirements impacting studies
• Review, evaluate, approve, and continually monitor research project compliance; conduct internal quality assurance audits and inspections; maintain records and data; prepare reports detailing observations, risks, recommendations, and all other compliance actions required
• Prepare investigators and other research personnel for sponsor, grantor, accrediting body, and regulatory authority compliance audits and inspections; conduct pre-audit/inspection interviews and record reviews identifying areas of concern; prepare reports and provide advice
• Develop and implement effective educational programs promoting responsible scientific research conduct and integrity; conduct training sessions for faculty, staff, and students in all areas of research compliance
• Keep abreast of changing regulatory requirements and organizational demands impacting research; disseminate information as needed
• Attend workshops and seminars to maintain currency and obtain advance knowledge regarding compliance reviews and research standards
• May supervise staff members, including hiring, development, and performance management

Level:

– Senior Supervisor

Base Description:

– Supervises direct reports, but primarily completes activities, tasks, and/or projects of a functional nature.

Level Summary:

– Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge to perform own work; spends majority of time on tasks related to own job responsibilities. May demonstrate subject matter expertise. Demonstrates intermediate to advanced planning, organizing, directing, and facilitating skills. Demonstrates the ability to coach assigned employees. Assigns and reviews completed work to verify accuracy, quality, and adherence to professional standards. Trains, coaches, mentors, and motivates staff. Anticipates potential problems, issues, and opportunities; researches and recommends solutions within defined policies. May develop creative recommendations for solving problems.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

– Typically oversees at least 2 full–time direct reports or equivalent team of part–time and/or student workers (for Professional track, performs work at the Senior Professional level or higher)

Fiscal Responsibilities:

– May validate and pay invoices
– Monitors and tracks budgets for specific area and/or grant(s)
– May assist in planning and forecasting budgets

Problem Solving:

– Encounters moderately complex problems
– Applies general precedents and practices and specialized knowledge and skills to resolve problems
– Understands benefits, limitations and impact of potential solutions
– Anticipates potential problems and recommends possible solutions within general guidelines

Independence of Action:

– Works independently on moderately complex work assignments, reviews progress, and evaluates results
– Organizes work of direct reports and sets team priorities
– Reviews the work of others to verify accuracy, quality, and adherence to professional standards

Communication and Collaboration:

– Communicates internally within working unit and the University
– Communicates with external audiences for scheduling/coordination
– May communicate with external audiences for business purposes
– Collaborates closely with team members; may interact with other staff outside of area
– Utilizes a communication style that is appropriate for a given situation
– Interprets and communicates information, ideas and instructions clearly, accurately and persuasively both verbally and in written materials intended for distribution

• Comp Grade – 10
• Minimum – $61,800.00
• MidPoint – $75,700.00
• Maximum – $89,600.00