Item 3.C-October 10, 2014
ADMINISTRATIVE FACULTY POSITION DESCRIPTION QUESTIONNAIRE
To expedite and facilitate the PDQ review process, please send the PDQ and Org Chart electronically to
marshag@unr.edu for discussion and for initial review before routing PDQ for approval signatures.
Questions - call UNR Faculty HR at 682-6114
INSTRUCTIONS: See http://www.unr.edu/hr/compensation-and-evaluation for complete instructions.
Incumbent(s) Name (if applicable):
Daniel Ruby
Current Title: Associate Director, Planetarium
Position #(s): 11434
Current Range: 4
(JCC:77092)
Department: Extended Studies
College/Division: Provost
Account #(s): 1201-120-0901
Action Proposed: (check all that apply)
New position:
Proposed Range:
Proposed Title:
( x ) Title Change, Proposed Title: Director, Planetarium
( x ) Proposed Reassignment from Range 4
to Range 4
( ) Revised PDQ only (no change in range or title)
( ) Line of Progression (show titles below)
Range:
JCC (Current
or new HR
assigned):
I certify that the statements in this description are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge.
____________________________________________________________
Employee’s Signature
__________________
Date
I/we have reviewed the statements in this form and they accurately reflect the job assignments.
____________________________________________________________
Immediate Supervisor’s Signature Fred Holman, Vice Provost, EXS
__________________
Date
____________________________________________________________
__________________
Director/Chair/Dean
Kevin Carman, Executive Vice President and Provost
Date
Approved for Salary Placement Committee review.
____________________________________________________________
__________________
Pres / Vice Pres / Vice Prov Signature Stacy Burton, Vice Provost, Faculty Affairs Date
Action Approved by the Provost/President (Completed by Faculty HR):
67625 Range:
Pos #(s): 11434
JCC:
EEO: 1B
Eff: 10/1/2014
Approved Title: Director, Planetarium
Employee signs on “final” stamped approved PDQ and sends to HR for personnel file.
Employee Signature:_______________________________________________ __________________
Date
Printed Name: ____________________________________________________
Rev: 10/1/2012
Position Description – Director, Planetarium
page 2
1. Summary Statement: State the major function(s) of the position and its role in the
university. Attach an organizational chart with positions, ranges, and names for the division
which reflects the position in it as well as those supervised in the department. (This section is
used for advertisement of the position.)
The Director, Planetarium, manages the daily operations of the University’s Fleischmann Planetarium
and Science Center. The Director provides astronomical and applied scientific experiences and
exposure to 25,000 to 35,000 students, community visitors, and tourists annually. The incumbent
reports to the Vice Provost, Extended Studies (EXS) on the assessment of activities, creation of
program goals, financial campaigns, and operational problems.
2. List the major responsibilities, including percentage of time devoted to each. Provide
enough detail to enable a person outside the department to understand the job (percentage
first with heading and then bulleted information).
25% - Public Programming Oversight
 Research and develop programming and equipment; supervise the Audiovisual technicians in
installation; and train and evaluate the AV Supervisor in hiring and managing theater staff for
public programming
 Periodically change exhibits at the Planetarium to bring new and current information to visitors
 Research and purchase new digital shows for visitor viewing, i.e., relating to science,
technology, education, and mathematics
 Plan show schedules for viewings; develop promotional materials and market to various media
sources on and off campus
 Attend professional meetings and conferences to stay abreast of trends and best practices in
the field
25% - Fiscal Management
 Maintain funding for continued operation, search for new revenue to accomplish strategic
goals, and manage operations responsively and responsibly to accomplish mission
 Assist Extended Studies Accounting Manager to track and report financials according to
University policies and procedures using resources such as CAIS
 Communicate and collaborate with the University Development and Alumni Relations
Foundation office to articulate strategic plan and identify and develop donors to accomplish
strategic goals
 Research funding opportunities through InfoEd system and work through Office of Sponsored
Projects (OSP) to submit proposals; manage projects (setup, implementation, reporting)
through campus resources
20% - Staff and Operations Management
 Supervise all on-site staff and volunteers at both the University campus (daytime and evening
shows) and Redfield Campus sites (Friday night viewings at Redfield)
 Assign, delegate, coach, perform evaluations, and coordinate activities of Classified staff and
student workers for the successful operation of the Planetarium and Science Center
 Maintain equipment and the facility to highest capacity use; ensure safety of facility

20% - K-12 Informal Education and Outreach
 Facilitate collaborative dialogue with college administration within the University (i.e., College
of Education, Engineering, Science, etc.) and with Washoe County School District (WCSD)
administrative staff, Children’s Discovery Museum, community businesses, and other K-12
school officials to ascertain their current needs and desires, to shape the Planetarium's
Position Description – Director, Planetarium
page 3
response to those needs, and to deliver high quality educational programs to K-12 students
and other visitors
5% - Spokesperson for the Planetarium and Science Center
 Inform local media reporters when unusual or remarkable events occur or are expected in the
realm of astronomy, space science, and related fields (i.e., writing a press release, giving
interviews in person or over the telephone, appearing on television or in other public situations
to explain and interpret the event or situation)
 Develop materials for marketing; make information available via email and on the web in
conjunction with the marketing division of EXS
 Assist with special projects relating to astronomy within community and the United States to
assist students in competitive projects, educate the public, and increase interest in the field
3. Describe the level of freedom to take action and make decisions with or without
supervision and how the results of the work performed impact the department, division and/or
the university as a whole.
Level of Freedom:
The Director represents the Planetarium by personally delivering educational programs and
experiences to about 35,000 students and visitors each year. The incumbent answers questions,
conducts tours of the center, and shapes visitors’ Planetarium experience in every way. The Director
has decision making authority to select visuals, special effects, and other show components to piece
together a creative, artistic, and scientifically valid presenation that will attract the public and result in
repeat visits. The incumbent periodically reports to and consults with the Vice Provost on the
assessment of activities and on long-term strategic planning, programming, and fund raising projects.
Impact:
The supervision, recruitment, and training of full-time staff, cashiers, and program operators is critical
to maintain the daily operations of the Planetarium. Improper training and poor work quality has the
ability to impact visitor perception of the facility. A negative presentation or experience may impact the
way students and visitors relate to the field of astronomy or result in a loss of future visits to the
Planetarium. The Director's professional expertise, judgements, public interactions, and radio,
television, and newspaper commentary will directly influence the public’s perception of the
Planetarium as well as current astronomical, celestial, and scientific happenings.
4. Describe the knowledge, skills (to include cognitive requirement and verbal and written
communication), and abilities (to include task complexity, problem solving, creativity and
innovation) essential to successful performance of this job (in bullet format).
Knowledge:
 Field of astronomy and planetarium maintenance and management
 Understanding of the tools of K-12 schools, colleges, and universities and teaching
responsibilities and educational techniques
 Proposal and budget development and grant writing to procure grants and contracts from
local, state, federal, and other resources for funding programs and projects
 Budget management in accordance with state and university policies
Skills:
 Skilledcreative user of the specialized audiovisual equipment contained in a modern
planetarium - computers, video and audio recorders/players, motion picture and slide
projectors, and other machines and the ability to diagnose and correct problems with this
equipment when they occur
Position Description – Director, Planetarium
page 4

Excellent verbal and written communication in order to educate all ages of students and
visitors, media, and community and school representatives and to counsel and train staff
effectively


Organizational and time management skills
Proficiency in use of a personal computer and current software applications including but not
limited to Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Access, Excel, PowerPoint, and email)
Interpersonal and human relations skills

Ability to:
 Communicate scientific and astronomical ideas and information in layman’s terms as
necessary to educate all levels of visitors
 Work with diverse populations and be sensitive to gender, disabilities, and cultural and ethnic
diversity issues
 Recruit, hire, supervise, manage, train, develop, and evaluate staff in order to achieve unit and
university goals
 Develop and maintain good working relations with the media and key constituents and with
faculty and other campus personnel
 Work flexible hours with weekend and evening work as needed
5. Describe the type of personal contacts encountered in performing the duties of the job.
Explain the nature and purpose of these contacts: i.e., to provide services, to resolve
problems, to negotiate.
Internal
EXS directors
College administrators (deans
and directors)
Foundation officials
Sponsored projects office
External
K-12 students
WCSD administration and
teachers
Industry partners
Government officials
Museum and education
association colleagues
Reason for Contact
To coordinate daily operation in accomplishment of EXS mission
To develop programs in partnership with colleges across the
University to serve public and K-12 students
To collaborate on development of gifts to support planetarium
operation and projects
To develop and submit funding proposals and administer grants
and contracts when received
Reason for Contact
To provide delivery of informal education programming on- and
off-site
To develop curriculum units for WCSD courses and coordinate
visitations to the Planetarium
To develop partnerships for sponsorships of programming
To provide expertise on informal STEAM education
To align FPSC to best practices on national level
6. Indicate the minimum qualifications which are necessary in filling this position should it
become vacant. Please keep in mind the duties/responsibilities of the position rather than the
qualifications of the incumbent.
a.
Minimum educational level, including appropriate field, if any.
Master’s Degree from a regionally accredited institution with an emphasis in any
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) field or Education
Position Description – Director, Planetarium
page 5
b.
Minimum type and amount of work experience, in addition to the above required
education necessary for a person entering this position.
Master’s Degree and three years of experience in any STEM or education field
Preferred Licenses or Certifications: None
c.
Indicate any license or certificate required for this position.
None