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:

– Supervisor

Base Description:

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

Level Summary:

– Demonstrates appropriate knowledge to perform own work; spends majority of time on tasks related to own job responsibilities. Demonstrates baseline planning, organizing, directing, and facilitating skills. Reviews completed work of others to verify accuracy and quality. Follows recommended approaches to assigned work. Supervises assigned staff and coordinates routine work activities. Monitors employee interactions and facilitates a productive working environment. Communicates instructions and policies in a consistent, effective and timely manner. Identifies and addresses concerns appropriately. Makes recommendations for possible solutions.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

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

Fiscal Responsibilities:

– May validate and pay invoices
– May monitor/track budgets for specific area and/or grant(s)

Problem Solving:

– Encounters generally routine problems with progressively more complex and/or varied problems
– Typically follows standard operating procedures to resolve problems
– May apply specialized knowledge and skills to resolve complex and/or varied problems
– Applies proven and tries new approaches when solving problems

Independence of Action:

– Works with minimal supervision on difficult work assignments, conferring with manager on unusual matters
– Follows precedents and procedures
– Organizes work of direct reports and may set priorities within general guidelines established by manager
– Reviews the work of others to verify accuracy, quality, and conformance to required procedures and special instructions

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 and accurately both verbally and in written materials

• Comp Grade – 9
• Minimum – $56,200.00
• MidPoint – $68,800.00
• Maximum – $81,500.00