Item 2.H-March 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/vpaf/hr/compensation/placement.html for complete instructions.
Incumbent(s) Name (if applicable): Thomas Dilts (AC to AD)
Position #(s): 17406
Current Title: Research Scientist I (AC)
Current Range: 0(I)
(JCC: )
Department: Natural Resources and Environmental
College/Division: Agriculture,
Science
Biotechnology & Natural Resources
Account #(s): 1320-153-52UD; 1320-153-52XZ (grant funded)
Action Proposed: (check all that apply)
(X) New position: Proposed Range: 3
Proposed Title: Analyst, Spatial Modeling
( ) 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 Peter Weisberg, Assoc. Prof., NRES
__________________
Date
________________________/____________________________________
Mark Walker. Chair, NRES / Ron Pardini, Interim Dean, ABNR
Director/Chair/Dean
__________________
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 President (Completed by Faculty HR):
Position #:
EEO Code: 3J
CUPA Code: CM55502
Exempt: Yes or No Census Code: 111
Job Class Code: 67189
Range: 3
Effective Date: 3/1/2012
Approved Title:
ANALYST, SPATIAL MODELING
____________________________________________________________
__________________
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 – Analyst, Spatial Modeling
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 Analyst, Spatial Modeling, has primary responsibility for providing geographic information system
(GIS), remote sensing, and spatial modeling support for research within the Department of Natural
Resources and Environmental Science (NRES) and the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR). The
individual provides technical, operational, and staff supervisory support for grant funded projects and
reports to the Principal Investigator (PI) of the project(s).
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).
65% - Spatial Modeling and Development
 Spatially model soils and vegetation variables (e.g., soil erosivity, salinization potential, soil
temperature, net primary production) across the study area
 Develop spatial GIS databases for soils and vegetation characteristics and genetic sampling
using existing data sources and data collected by project collaborators
 Conduct remote sensing analyses using aerial photography, multispectral satellite imagery
and Light Imaging Detection and Ranging LIDAR data sets
 Develop the technical components of research plans for new projects including the
methodologies and software to be used, in consultation with the PI
 Develop new GIS tools to advance the technical GIS discipline and make them available for
download on the web
 Model species distributions and abiotic processes
 Create decision support tools for use by funding agencies
 Use genetic sampling data collected in the field and scale up to the landscape level
25% - Lab Coordination and Research Support
 Supervise, advise, and train students and temporary staff on technical aspects of data
collection in the field
 Advise graduate students on technical aspects of GIS, remote sensing and spatial modeling
 Assist with sampling of plant community, soil characteristics, groundwater characteristics,
growth rates of riparian trees and shrubs, water quality, and mice populations to analyze
consequences of human impact on ecological corridors
 Prepare publications and poster and oral presentations; provide text and professional quality
maps and other graphics
 Assist PI in writing grants for continuous funding of research projects
 Assist other project personnel (PI, students, faculty) with GIS and remote sensing applications
and analysis for various research projects
 Research competitive products and pricing for software and equipment; ensure software
licenses are current
10% - Publications and Research
 Take a lead on publication, including first authorship
 Assist in the preparation of research proposals
Position Description – Analyst, Spatial Modeling
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.
Level of Freedom:
The incumbent acts independently on identifying options and technical implementation of projects,
operation of the lab, training of students and temporary staff, establishing research procedures and
lab system, software, and hardware recommendations. The Analyst is expected to take initiative to
identify opportunities and create new tools. Moderate direction is provided by the supervisor in the
areas of success/failure feedback for methodologies, undergraduate technicians, and decisions on
purchases. The position is expected to discuss, develop and recommend new models for projects in
collaboration with the PI.
Impact:
The decisions and judgments of the Analyst primarily impact the success of the NRES research
projects. The effects on the Department, College, and University are through the reputation and
prestige that the research brings to these organizations. Inaccurate information or failure to meet
deadlines impacts funding of existing and future projects. Students involved in these projects will have
an opportunity to learn and advance their careers in the field.
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:
 GIS database development and ArcGIS software/databases
 Remote sensing science and image processing methodology
 Statistical and geostatistical methodologies for spatial modeling
 Soils science and/or vegetation ecology
 Research methodologies – research design and data collection and analysis – both qualitative
and quantitative
 Publication and presentation of scientific research
Skills:





Supervisory and training
Strong verbal and written communication
Computer programming skills (VB/VBA, C++, C#)
Relational databases and software (MS-Access, ArcSDE, Python, R)
Analytical and decision-making skills (critical thinking)
Ability to:
 Develop databases for a variety of research purposes
 Design and implement spatial models
 Provide technical support
 Work collaboratively with other scientists and staff towards utilizing spatial data for research
projects
 Work independently and creatively
 Present information to diverse audiences
Position Description – Analyst, Spatial Modeling
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
Principal and Co-Principal
Investigators
Other investigators and
scientists, postdoctoral and
graduate researchers
Undergraduate assistants
External
Funding agencies
Reason for Contact
To coordinate research projects and provide technical services
and resolve problems relating to GIS, remote sensing and spatial
modeling
To coordinate research activities
To assist with collection of field data and assist with laboratory and
computer analyses
Reason for Contact
To coordinate projects, submit reports, and seek funding
opportunities
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 major in Natural
Resources, Environmental Science, Geography 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 two years of experience in geodatabase development, GIS
modeling and analysis, and image processing and analysis
Preferred Licenses or Certifications: None
c.
Indicate any license or certificate required for this position.
None