Item 2.B-November 9, 2012
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):
Position #(s):
Current Title:
Current Range:
(JCC: )
Department: Psychology Department
College/Division: College of Liberal Arts
Account #(s): 0000-000-0000 (new grant)
Action Proposed: (check all that apply)
(X) New position: Proposed Range: 2
Proposed Title: Program Manager, Center of Biomedical Research
Excellence (COBRE) in Integrative Neuroscience
( ) Title Change, Proposed Title:
( ) Proposed Reassignment from Range
to Range
( ) Revised PDQ only (no change in range or title)
JCC (Current
( ) Line of Progression (show titles below)
or new HR
Range:
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
Michael Webster
Professor, Psychology
____________________________________________________________
Director/Chair/Dean
Scott Casper, Interim Dean, Liberal Arts
__________________
Date
__________________
Date
Approved for Salary Placement Committee review.
____________________________________________________________
__________________
Pres / Vice Pres / Vice Prov Signature Jannet Vreeland
Date
Vice Provost and Secretary of University
Action Approved by the Provost/President (Completed by Faculty HR):
67319 Range:
2
Pos #(s):
JCC:
EEO: 3C
Eff: 11/1/2012
Approved Title: Program Manager, Center of Biomedical Research Excellence in Integrative
Neuroscience
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 – Program Manager, COBRE
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 Program Manager for the Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) in Integrated
Neuroscience is responsible for: (1) coordinating activities and operations across the projects and cores
and with the other COBRE and Idea Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) programs
on campus; (2) communication and coordination between the various COBRE units, the National
Institutes of Health (NIH), and program participants; (3) outreach activities to promote the COBRE and
integrate research and training with the broader campus and regional medical community and with the
neuroscience academic program (4) developing criteria for program evaluation and assessment; and (5)
preparation of the annual progress report. The Program Manager reports to the Director of COBRE.
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).
45% - Program Coordination
 Coordinate mentoring and training activities across the different projects and cores
 Develop and maintain arrangements and protocols across participating units including
resource sharing among the different COBREs and INBRE
 Assist with appropriate Office of Sponsored Projects Administration (OSPA), Institutional
Review Board (IRB), and Institutional Animal Use and Care Committee (IACUC) protocols and
arrangements with outside participants including University Of California, Davis (UCD) or
regional medical resources
 Provide training and ongoing guidance to program participants, including faculty,
administrative staff and central administration, to confirm understanding of, and compliance
with, COBRE program policies, federal regulations and National Institutes of Health (NIH)
policies
 Identify areas of concern and initiate corrective action
 Attend state, regional, and national meetings and maintain contact with NIH grants
management staff to stay current on issues and regulation changes
45% - Program Outreach
 Develop and maintain arrangements and protocols for campus-wide access to COBRE
resources
 Develop programs and activities to promote the COBRE and neuroscience research across
campus and build connections and collaborations with the regional medical community
 Develop programs to integrate COBRE activities and opportunities with the undergraduate
neuroscience major and the currently-proposed neuroscience graduate program
 Develop and update COBRE website with program announcements, seminars, and training
schedules and opportunities
 Communicate with campus, state, and local media as necessary for appropriate public
releases
10% - Information and Report Preparation
 Work with the assessment coordinator to identify assessment criteria and develop the
assessment plan
Position Description – Program Manager, COBRE

Page 3
Prepare the non-competitive renewal and Annual Progress Reports with the COBRE Principal
Investigator (PI)
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 incumbent is given assignments and is expected to plan and prioritize the work so that the deadlines
are met. In the execution of these assignments the incumbent has much freedom to work within the
established practices, rules, and regulations and works independently in administrating the operations,
communications, and program evaluation. Problems outside of the established practice, rules, and
regulations are to be brought to the attention of the Director immediately.
Impact:
The sound judgment of the incumbent is essential for maximizing the potential impact of the project on
biomedical research in the state. Failure on the part of the incumbent to complete the required reports on
time could result in the premature termination of the COBRE project before the projected five-year
duration.
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 of:
 Basic knowledge of biomedical research activities
 NIH National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) COBRE grant terms and
conditions
 Familiarity with existing INBRE and COBRE programs and resources
 Program assessment and evaluation
Skills:
 Excellent verbal and written communication
 Excellent organizational and time management skills
 Proficiency in the use of a personal computer and software applications including but not
limited to Microsoft Office and web page maintenance software
 Analytical, decision-making, and problem solving skills
 Program development, management, and coordination
 Researching, gathering, and consolidating data into written reports
Ability to:
 Build effective interpersonal relationships with diverse individuals
 Manage, prioritize, and complete multiple projects/task in an efficient and timely manner
 Work independently and as a member of a collaborative team
 Be flexible with task demands and time
 Travel and work evenings and weekends as needed
Position Description – Program Manager, COBRE
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.
Internal
Director of the Neuroscience
COBRE
COBRE Administrative Support
and Project Leaders
Campus Faculty and Support
Staff
Student groups
Reason for Contact
To provide direction on program activities
External
External Advisory Board
Reason for Contact
To prepare agenda and respond to questions and issues posed by
the External Advisory Board
To provide training and guidance regarding INBRE programs
To develop working relationships and access to resources at offcampus facilities
To promote the COBRE and build working relationships with the
regional neuroscience community
To submit progress reports and discuss issues affecting
operations
Program Participants
Faculty and Support Staff at
External Institutions
Local hospitals
Funding agency
To interact with and coordinate internal COBRE elements
To support COBRE projects and bridge resources to campus
community
To work with directors of the UNR neuroscience academic
programs to integrate students into COBRE activities
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 or Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from a regionally
accredited institution
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 or Master’s in Business Administration and two years of professional
experience in planning, coordinating, assessing and/or administering a large, complex
project or program
Preferred Licenses or Certifications: None
c.
Indicate any license or certificate required for this position.
None