Fiscal Manager

Announcement Number:
STAFF - VA - 26426

For questions regarding this position, please contact:
Lee Spangler
WTI Director
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Classification Title:
Finance Professional

Working Title:
Fiscal Manager

Brief Position Overview:
The Fiscal Manager will coordinate and manage the fiscal and human resources

activities of the Western Transportation Institute ( WTI ), including assisting in the fiscal oversight of the Local Technical Assistance Program ( LTAP ) and the National Center for Rural Road Safety. The Business Manager will monitor grant and contract funding (including necessary matching funds), develop and implement policies and procedures to ensure maximum efficiency, productivity, and accountability of the administrative and overall functions of WTI .

Position Number:
4C0785

Department:
Western Transportation Institute

Division:
Office of Research and Economic Development

Appointment Type:
Professional

Contract Term:
Fiscal Year

Semester:

If other, specify From date:

If other, specify End date:

FLSA:
Exempt

Union Affiliation:
Exempt from Collective Bargaining

FTE:
1.0

Benefits Eligible:
Eligible

Salary:
$65,000 annually, commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications

Contract Type:
LOA

If other, please specify:

Recruitment Type:
Open

Position Details General Statement:
The Western Transportation Institute ( WTI ) was founded in 1994 by the Montana and

California Departments of Transportation and Montana State University, with the goal of

spearheading applied research to solve the real-world transportation challenges of rural America. WTI has a staff of 25 professionals and approximately $5 million in annual research expenditures.

WTI research investigates and integrates key topics in rural transportation, including safety, road ecology, mobility, infrastructure, sustainability, and winter maintenance. Research is complemented by technology transfer initiatives and educational activities.

WTI has served as a University Transportation Center ( UTC ) under the U.S. Department of Transportation since 1998 and has twice been designated as a National UTC and has twice led a Tier 1 UTC . WTI also leads the Local Technical Assistance Program ( LTAP ), the National Center for Rural Road Safety, a Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements ( CRISI ) grant, two Safe Streets 4 All grants, and serves as a member of the Northern Tribal Technical Assistance Program ( TTAP ) Center.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• In collaboration with Center management team, ensure compliance with MSU , state, and funding agency policies.
• In coordination with Principal Investigators, prepare budgets for grant proposals and project amendments.
• Manage ePCF documentation process for research proposal submissions.
• Manage and approve Center timesheets and payroll. Provide reporting on the OSP Time and Effort Reporting system, ensuring accuracy of salary expensed to grants, and reporting salary cost share.
• Analyze current and future cost share needs and assist P.I.s with identifying and determining allowability of new cost share sources. Ensure accurate and timely tracking and reporting of cost share in order to meet the Federal cost share requirements of several large grants and OSP requirements.
• In coordination with MSU Procurement, prepare Contracted Service Agreements (and subsequent modifications as needed), sole source justifications, purchase requisitions, etc.
• In collaboration with Principal Investigators, prepare and submit Subaward Request Forms, and subaward modifications.
• In coordination with OSP , process sponsor amendments and contracts.
• Meet sponsor financial reporting requirements.
• Review vendor invoices, resolve discrepancies.
• In collaboration with Principal Investigators and FSS , monitor grant budgets, determine need for budget modifications and spending adjustments.
• Serve as the Department liaison with University Human Resources, follow HR guidelines and procedures for hiring new staff.
• Budgeting and reporting for LTAP , CRISI , Safe Streets 4 All, and the Rural Safety Center, and any new large multi-year grants.
• Serve as the departmental liaison with Fiscal Shared Services for accounting services.
• Provide financial projections to the WTI Director.

Required Qualifications Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills:

1. Bachelors degree in accounting, finance, business management, or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
2. A record of progressively responsible fiscal management including experience preparing and monitoring budgets and financial reports with a high level of accuracy.
3. Experience using computerized accounting systems, spreadsheets, databases, and word processing software.
4. Demonstrated technical expertise in grants and contracts administration and reporting, including knowledge of Federal rules and regulations.
5. High level of skill with Windows based computer applications in financial management, business operations, project management, communications, and personal productivity.

Preferred Qualifications Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills:

1. Administrative and fiscal management experience in an institution of higher education.
2. Experience managing large, complex, multi-disciplinary grants and contracts.
3. Knowledge of MSU and State of Montana policies and procedures.
4. Working knowledge of financial data systems such as CatBooks and Banner.

The Successful Candidate Will:

• Interpret, apply and communicate a wide variety of policies and procedures to students, staff and faculty and analyze complex reports.
• Organize and prioritize workload and deadlines and handle complex situations while working under minimal supervision.
• Represent the Western Transportation Institute and its programs to others in a
  professional and courteous manner.
• Work effectively both independently and in a team-orientated manner, under minimal supervision.
• Have excellent written and oral communication and interpersonal skills.
• Provide evidence of strong decision-making skills and initiative.
• Exercise adaptability to changing priorities while maintaining a positive, effective and professional approach.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with a various range of constituents both internal and external to the organization.
• Appropriately handle sensitive and confidential information.

Position Special Requirements/Additional Information:
This position is contingent upon continued grant funding.

This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State Universitys rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Physical Demands:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

This position has supervisory duties?:
No

Posting Detail Information Number of Vacancies:
1

Desired Start Date:
Upon completion of a successful search.

Position End Date (if temporary):

Open Date:

Close Date:

Applications will be:
Screening of applications will begin on June 15th 2026; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.

Special Instructions:
This position is not eligible for new sponsorship.

EEO Statement:
Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.

In compliance with the Montana Veterans Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veterans preference, please complete the veterans preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.