Item 3.K-April 20, 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/vpaf/hr/compensation/placement.html for complete instructions.
Incumbent(s) Name (if applicable): Cairn Lindloff
Position #(s): 17536
Current Title: Director, New Student Initiatives (NSI)
Current Range: 4
(JCC:77981;3A;CM7551;CC200;E)
Department: Office of Associate Dean, Students (JS)
College/Division: Student Life Services /
Vice President, Student Services
Account #(s): 1201-105-0703
Action Proposed: (check all that apply)
( ) New position: Proposed Range:
Proposed Title:
( X) Title Change, Proposed Title: Assistant Dean, Students
( ) Proposed Reassignment from Range
to Range
( ) 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
__________________
Date
____________________________________________________________
Director/Chair/Dean
Gerald Marczynski
AVP, Student Life Services and Dean of Students
__________________
Date
Approved for Salary Placement Committee review.
____________________________________________________________
Pres / Vice Pres / Vice Prov Signature Shannon Ellis
Vice President, Student Services
__________________
Date
Action Approved by the President (Completed by Faculty HR):
Position #: 17536
EEO Code: 3A
CUPA Code: CA1439
Exempt: Yes or No Census Code: 200
Job Class Code: 67227
Range: 4
Effective Date: 4/1/2012
Approved Title:
ASSISTANT DEAN, STUDENTS
____________________________________________________________
__________________
Employee Signature
Date
(Employee signs and sends to HR for personnel file after PDQ has been “final” stamped for approval)
Rev: 12/1/2008
Position Description – Assistant Dean, Students
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.)
Reporting to the Associate Dean of Students, the Assistant Dean of Students is responsible for
creating and revising new student orientation and student transition programs that positively impact
the academic success and personal growth of all new students resulting in an increased retention rate
within an increasingly diverse student body. The position is responsible for assessing the
effectiveness of all program efforts on the retention success of the students that are served. The
Assistant Dean serves as a resource for all new students at the university to address any transitional
needs and issues and is a member of the student advocacy team under the direction of the Associate
Dean of Students.
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).
50% - Program Development and Student Persistence
 Assemble and coordinate a year-round orientation program that increases the success of new
students both in and out of the classroom based on best practices and retention assessment
research
 Develop programs that address the needs of specific student populations (on and off campus,
Greek, non-traditional)
 Create partnerships with and among first-year academic programs
 Maintain a positive relationship with the student government (Associated Students of the
University of Nevada) and collaborate with its leadership to ensure positive and successful
welcome programs for new students
 Develop and maintain collaborative working relationships within Academic Affairs and Student
Services to ensure a team approach in the programs
 Coordinate on-going first-year orientation program efforts with the Cultural Center to ensure
successful integration of first year students of color
 Collaborate with Counseling Services, Disability Resource Center, and the Office of Student
Conduct to develop and coordinate interventions of at-risk populations
 Develop relationships with faculty who teach and advise new students
 Design, coordinate and target new intervention services, programs and initiatives focused on
student retention and development
 Create and implement a transfer student success program that complement efforts by
academic colleges utilizing best practices
 Oversee the creation and implementation of a Sophomore Experience program that
complement efforts by academic colleges utilizing best practices
20% - Supervision and Training
 Hire, supervise, train, and evaluate the Program Specialists for freshman and sophomore
programs
 Hire, supervise, train, and evaluate 20 to 30 student orientation leaders
 Commit to the creation of a student staff that is reflective of the diversity of the student body
 Create and continually improve the training program for the student orientation leaders
 Create a training environment that is sensitive to the cultural issues of Nevada
 Develop and teach a class based on learning outcomes for the student orientation staff that
provides the foundation to assist with acclimation to Nevada
 Be visible to and available to all new students as a general resource
Position Description – Assistant Dean, Students
Page 3
15% - Administration
 Gather, analyze and report annually data and information related to retention of new students
 Assure the successful delivery of comprehensive, quality and inclusive orientation services
and programs for student and family members that provide a transition experience that
supports students in the first year experience and addresses student success
 Oversee and coordinate evaluation of programming effectiveness and outcomes and
participant expectations
 Forecast program reservation revenue, develop budgets to address programmatic needs and
monitor expenditures for accuracy
 Control expenditures of funds within a budget
 Negotiate with outside vendors and agencies to enhance program initiatives
 Collaborate to develop and implement assessment tools that address the learning outcomes of
the program
15% - Student Advocacy
 Provide advocacy services to students as assigned by the Associate Dean
 Provide informed individual guidance and academic persistence options and resolution to
students in need of advocacy, including severe mental and physical health issues, accidents,
death in the family and financial and other family crises
 Work closely with other agencies and staff on campus to provide assistance to the student in
these circumstances, such as: Admissions and Records, Counseling Center, the Student
Health Center, Student Disability Resource Center, Residential Life, Housing and Food
Services, University Police, and Student Financial services
 Consult with involved parties for student advocacy cases to promote a satisfactory resolution
to support student success, along with following the expectations and guidelines for the
policies and practices being addressed or appealed
 Remain flexible to respond to student emergencies
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 Assistant Dean initiates contacts and develops positive working relationships with various entities
both on and off campus. This individual implements the orientation and transition program and makes
decisions relating to budget, scheduling, and personnel action after consultation with superiors.
Impact
The success of the orientation has a significant impact on the success of new students. A successful
effort will result in a positive impact on the university through an increased retention rate of first year
students.
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:
 Retention research
 Student success best practices and programs
 Higher education administration practices and concepts
 Program development and implementation
Position Description – Assistant Dean, Students
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Skills:
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Risk management and liability management
Contract negotiations and oversight
Budgeting and fiscal management to include accounting/finance processes and procedures,
financial statements, tracking revenues and expenditures, and financial reporting and
evaluation
Interpersonal and human relations skills
Facilitation skills
Critical thinking/inquiry skills
Excellent oral and written communication skills, including writing formal proposals and reports
Conflict resolution skills
Time management skills
Excellent organizational skills
Customer service skills
Proficiency in use of personal computer and applications including but not limited to Microsoft
Office
Human resource supervision/management
Ability to:
 Remain flexible and modify approaches to meet changing conditions
 Develop and apply multifaceted solutions
 Work effectively with a diverse group of students faculty, staff, and administrators
 Delegate tasks appropriately and effectively within the student staff
 Respond and work during non-traditional (evening and weekend) hours
 Work independently with minimal supervision and coordinate multiple projects, committees,
and concerns
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
Academic Advisors, Faculty,
Associate Deans and Deans
Student Services Administrators
Scheduling, Student Union,
Planning, Budget and Analysis,
Building and Grounds,
Information Technology, and
Lawlor Events Center
External
Agencies and Vendors
Reason for Contact
To ensure successful student transition programs
To work collaboratively within the division to create and implement
a successful student orientation program
To create a successful student orientation program
Reason for Contact
To collaborate to offer up to date information and services from the
greater Reno area
Position Description – Assistant Dean, Students
Page 5
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 emphasis in higher
education, student development, educational leadership 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.
Master’s Degree and three years of experience in college student orientation
Preferred Licenses or Certifications: None
c.
Indicate any license or certificate required for this position.
None