ADMINISTRATIVE FACULTY JOB DESCRIPTION
APPROVED POSITION INFORMATION
(to be completed by HR)
Effective: 3/1/2015
Title
Administrator, Bioinformatics Systems
Essential Function: Sedentary Work
Range
JCC
PCN
3
78411
17484
Description: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force
frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary
work involves sitting most of the time, but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time.
1. Summary Statement: State the major function(s) of the position, the role in the
university, and the supervisor’s title.* (This section is used for advertisement of the
position.)
The Administrator, Bioinformatics Systems, is responsible for (a) providing robust linux system
administration support to the Center of Bioinformatics and its clients; (b) supplying guidance and
consultation in technical matters such as network integration and hardware selection, c) provide
support in the development of custom bioinformatics tools, software, databases and web
interfaces; (d) provide standard bioinformatics tools and software installation and maintenance.
The position is assigned to the Center for Bioinformatics under the Idea Network of Biomedical
Research Excellence (INBRE) and reports to the Director of the Center of Bioinformatics.
* Attach an organizational chart with positions, ranges, and names for the division.
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). If line of progression,
define for each range as above.
25% - Bioinformatics Tools, Databases and Web Interface Development
• Supports the Center ‘s development and deployment of next-generation sequencing
data analysis pipelines
• Develops and implements current HIPAA protocols and standards as directed by UNR
IT for several new clinical research projects supported by the Center
• Develops and maintains a secure FTP-type web data upload / download site for
Bioinformatics Center users and analysts
• Supports ongoing computational programming on the UNR research compute grid
50% - Systems Administration
• Supports services on all Center user platforms: Linux/Unix, Windows, and Mac OS (with
major emphasis on Linux systems)
• Installs, maintains, and supports bioinformatics software for all Center users
• Ensures continuous and high availability of all software, keeping systems updated and
secured
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Administrator, Bioinformatics Systems
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Performs monthly library and software updates and maintenance on the DeCypher
BLAST server
Works closely with the Nevada Proteomics Center in maintaining and generating data,
storage, and balancing accessibility and security mostly through the Proteus system
Coordinates, purchases, and implements commercial software and upgrades with
vendors for the Center as well as its users
Procures proper servers, workstations, related components, networking and storage for
bioinformatics services
20% - Technical and System Administrator Support
• Provides primary and secondary technical and administrative support for local area
network and servers in the Center and peripheral areas
• Manages several webservers with public-access bioinformatics tools and associated
webpages
• Works in conjunction with the UNR research compute grid systems administrator to
insure available capacity of the campus-wide grid is fully and adequately utilized in the
area of Bioinformatics
• Provides technical consultation and general system administration for serviced
departments
• Maintains all Center servers and hardware, and ensures equipment is housed in
secured and cooled environments
 Determines hardware needs and costs for the Center in a timely fashion
5% - Management
 Manages a part-time systems administrator student employee in the Center
3. Describe the types of decisions the position(s) makes independently as part of the core
responsibilities. Provide examples. If a line of progression, describe the decisions made
at the highest level.
Ensuring that nationwide researchers have continuous access to bioinformatics databases,
software, services, and hardware to allow maximum utilization of resources is a key goal of the
Bioinformatics Center. Providing effective and timely solutions to computing and networking
problems in the field of Bioinformatics is essential to the ability of researchers to win funding in
the State of Nevada.
The incumbent has the freedom to purchase Center hardware, software, and equipment under
$2,000 without supervision. The Administrator has the responsibility of acting without
supervision in a data security emergency, e.g., air conditioning breaks down and server room
overheats or an attempted burglary takes place.
Numerous units on campus and at other Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE)
institutions and including undergraduate and graduate programs could be positively or
negatively impacted if the duties and responsibilities of the position were not completed in an
effective and timely manner. Personnel from the entire NSHE system will be impacted as
resources will be readily available to meet their computational research needs.
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Administrator, Bioinformatics Systems
4. Describe the types of problems, issues, action, communications this position typically
takes to the supervisor for resolution and/or consultation. Provide examples. If a line of
progression, describe the supervisory consultation at the highest level.
Ordering equipment: quotes and specs for hardware and equipment must be obtained from
external vendors (Dell, etc.), and must be discussed with the Center Director prior to making
purchase
Projects: cost estimates and timelines for clients’ projects must be discussed with the Center
Director for approval
Hardware malfunction or power outages: these types of emergent issues should be handled as
best as possible on site, or from off site, and typically merit an email or phone call to the Director
upon resolution, unless immediate advice is needed.
5. Select the applicable competencies required to successfully perform the job. The
selected competencies will be evaluated within the Administrative Faculty evaluation as
Competencies for Success.
Competency
Required
Adaptability
☒
Analytical Thinking
☒
Communication
☒
Diversity and Inclusion
☒
Financial Responsibilities
☐
Human Resource Responsibilities
☐
Leadership
☐
Program/Project/Functional Knowledge
☒
Resource Responsibilities
☐
Serving Constituents
☒
Teamwork
☒
Other (specify)
☐
6. Minimum requirements of the position. Example provided.
If Line of Progression, minimum requirements must be defined for each range.
Education
Experience
Bachelor’s Degree
Four years of related experience
Master’s Degree
Two years of related experience
Relevant Experience: in linux systems administration
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Administrator, Bioinformatics Systems
Certification and Licensure: None
Schedule or Travel Requirements: None
Optional Addendum: Describe the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to successful
performance of this job (in bullet format).
Knowledge of:
 Unix/Linux administration
 Solaris, Red Hat, Fedora, and Debian
 Virtualization solutions such as KVM
 Full web application development cycle, including web servers, application servers, data
storage and user interfaces
 Some knowledge of Mac OS X and Windows environments
Skills:
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Excellent written and verbal communication
Tack sharp systems and network troubleshooting skills
Problem-solving skills and decision-making skills
Time management and task management skills
Excellent interpersonal skills to enable productive technical interactions with students,
staff, faculty, and student worker
Dynamic languages, i.e., Ruby and Python
Database development and management (MySQL preferred), as well as experience
handling data in other formats, including but not limited to XML and flat files
General-purpose programming languages (Java or C/C++)
User interface (HTML/CSS) skills
Ability to:
 Price, procure, set up, and maintain a number of servers simultaneously
 Work in a service-oriented multi-disciplinary team
 Communicate effectively with non-technical faculty and staff in discussions of technical
matters
 Meet the needs of internal and external customers campus-wide and multi-institutionally
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