POSITION DESCRIPTION QUESTIONNAIRE
ADMINISTRATIVE FACULTY
ALL INFORMATION MUST BE PROVIDED. INCOMPLETE FORMS WILL BE RETURNED TO DEPARTMENT.
QUESTIONS? CALL UNR Faculty Human Resources at 784-6082 x250.
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INSTRUCTIONS: PDQ and Org Chart must be sent to marshag@unr.edu for initial review BEFORE routing.
1. Complete form, sign, and submit to immediate supervisor;
2. Supervisor (chair/director/dean)– review, approve, sign, forward to vice president or vice provost;
3. Pres/Vice Pres/Vice Prov - approve, sign, forward to Placement Committee (c/o UNR HR, M/S 238);
4. Placement Committee recommends administrative salary range and title & forwards to Provost.
5. Approval letters are then sent from HR with final stamped PDQ to Vice President, Dean or Director and
supervisor for PAF/Terms preparation.
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Incumbents’ Name (if applicable):
Position #:
Current Title:
Current Range:
Department: Physics – NTF
College/Division: College of Science
Action Proposed: (check all that apply)
( x ) New position : Proposed Range:
4
Proposed Title:
Manager, NTF Mechanical Engineering and Development
( ) Title Change, Proposed Title:
( ) Proposed Reassignment from Range
to Range
( ) Revised PDQ only (no change in range or title)
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.
/
Joseph Kindel, Dir, NTF / Roberto Mancini, Chair, Physics
Immediate Supervisor’s Signature
Director/Chair/Dean Jeffrey Thompson
Dean, Science (Interim)
Approved for Salary Placement Committee review.
Date
Date
Pres / Vice Pres / Vice Prov Signature Jannet Vreeland
Date
Interim Executive Vice President & Provost
Action Approved by the President (Completed by Faculty HR):
Position #:
EEO Code:
CUPA Code:
Job Class Code:
Exempt: Yes or No
Range:
Effective Date:
Title Approved:
_____________________________________________________________________________
Employee’s Signature (Sign & send to HR for personnel file after final approval) Date
Revised: 3 / 1 / 2006
Position Description – Manager, NTF Mechanical Engineering & Development
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 Manager, Nevada Terawatt Facility (NTF) Mechanical Engineering and Development, directs,
coordinates, and oversees the technical development and fabrication of experimental equipment,
diagnostics and systems associated with the NTF research program. The incumbent determines the
technical and engineering requirements and components, their organizational and logistical aspects,
and the scientific and engineering projects in the NTF. The individual develops individual engineering
and technical projects and supervises their completion; assures that all technical personnel are kept
informed of changes in project priorities and holds regular briefings; and, reports status of technical
tasks and projects to the NTF Director’s Office. This individual is a member of the executive staff of
the NTF and reports to the Director, NTF.
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 from greatest to least percentage).
40% - Mechanical Engineering
 Directs the development of mechanical engineering projects in with a 2 Terawatt Z-pinch
generator, a 100 Terawatt Laser and Ultra short pulse high speed laser
 Coordinates the mechanical designs of experimental equipment and supplies in conjunction
with Research Scientists
 Coordinates and supervises the NTF mechanical shop
30% Experimental Development
 Assists and advises researchers in experiment design, diagnostic development, and
integration with the Z-pinch and laser systems
 Coordinates experimental support which includes the synchronization and timing, diagnostics
setup, data acquisition of the major systems related operations
15% - Supervisory and Student Development
 Supervises, organizes, assigns and evaluates the work of Technicians and others technical
staff
 Trains and develops technical skills of graduate and undergraduate students; promote a safe
work environment and regulatory compliance
15% Administrative Duties
 Assists other executive staff with NTF organizational, budgetary and policy development
 Represents the NTF and advises researchers in experiment design, diagnostic development
and integration with the Z-pinch and laser systems
 Represents the NTF to outside person/groups
 Promotes compliance with University polices and procedures
 Maintains current inventory of NTF research resources and equipments
 Performs other duties as required
Position Description – Manager, NTF Mechanical Engineering & Development
Page 3
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.
The NTF is a research facility sponsored by the U. S. Department of Energy (DOE), and has an multimillion dollar annual research budget. Research is conducted in collaboration with University of
Nevada, Reno (UNR) researchers, U.S. National Laboratories, and international research institutions.
The development of the facility research machines and infrastructure, experimental systems and
diagnostics, and the execution of the technical tasks, is highly visible throughout the national and
international High Energy Density research community. The performance of his/her role is an
essential component in winning a stable, long-term base funding from DOE and other agency
sponsorship. Not effectively carrying out the functions of the position will negatively affect the
University’s research mission and reputation of the NTF and university. Inadequate performance
may also result in contractual obligation failures and DOE dissatisfaction resulting in loss of future
funding.
4. Describe the knowledge, skills (to include cognitive requirement and verbal and written
communication), and abilities (to include task complexity, problem solving, creativity &
innovation) essential to successful performance of this job (in bullet format).
Knowledge of:
 Expertise in at least one technical area involved directly with technical development and
fabrication of experimental equipment, diagnostics, and systems associated with an NTF
research program
 Advanced engineering software knowledge, i.e., Pro-E
 Experimental design, diagnostic development, and integration with the Z-pinch and laser
systems
 Synchronization and timing, diagnostics setup, and data acquisition of major systems-related
operations
 2 Terawatt Z-pinch generator, a 100 Terawatt Laser and Ultra short pulse high speed laser
 Project development and management
Skills:
 Strong written and oral communication skills to include oral presentations and reporting of
technical tasks and projects
 Scuba diving in open water
 Machinist skills
 Human resources supervision and management
 Teaching and training skills
 Organizational and time management (projects, meetings, etc.)
 Effective problem solving, decision-making, and analytical skills
Ability to:
 Develop and manage individual engineering and technical projects and diagnostics related to
operations and experiments through to their completion
 Set direction and ensure execution of technical and engineering tasks
 Coordinate efforts of research staff for implementation and diagnostics on research machines
 Actively listen, commit to a clear understanding, and evaluate problem situations
 Proactively contribute to management for problem resolution
 Manage a budget
 Be flexible and work under limited supervision with considerable latitude for initiative and
independent judgment
Position Description – Manager, NTF Mechanical Engineering & Development
Page 4
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.
NTF Director’s Office – Communicate with NTF Director’s Office reporting day to day technical
progress; provide input as required to Director for employee performance evaluation.
NTF Staff and Researchers – Represent the Director to the Nevada Terawatt Facility technical staff;
provide direction to the Engineers, Technicians, and other technical staff of the NTF; resolve problems
among technical staff and researchers involving task assignments and engineering resources;
establish and communicate technical assignments and priorities for engineering staff.
Subcontracting Organizations, research laboratories and technical vendors – Establish and maintain
professional work relationship with technical subcontracting organization and technical vendors, and
maintain technical collaboration with external research laboratories.
Technical Personnel– Communicate effectively with the technical personnel, keeping them informed
of status changes by providing briefings.
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.
Bachelor’s Degree from a regionally accredited institution with emphasis or major in
Mechanical Engineering or related field
b.
Minimum type and amount of work experience, in addition to the above required
education necessary for a person entering this position.
Bachelor’s Degree and five years of experience working in a research laboratory to
include developing projects and diagnostics around high energy lasers and pulsed
power devices, and participating in research experiments
c.
Indicate any license or certificate required for this position.
Scuba Diver Certification through Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI)
or National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI) offered by YMCA, Scuba
Schools International, Professional Diving Instructors Corporation (PDIC), and other
sources