Item 9.E-October 11, 2013
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): Shannon Brown
Position #(s): 16053
Current Title: Associate Director, Online Instruction and
Current Range: 3
Independent Learning (JCC: 67242)
Department: 365 Learning (IL)
College/Division: Extended Studies /
Office of Provost
Account #(s): 1101-120-0019; 1201-120-0005
Action Proposed: (check all that apply)
( ) New position: Proposed Range:
Proposed Title:
(X) Title Change, Proposed Title: Associate Director, Online Learning
( ) 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
Kerri Garcia
Date
Exec Dir, Smr Session & Acad Cr Prgms
___________________________________________________________
__________________
Director/Chair/Dean Fred Holman, Vice Provost, Extended Studies
Date
Approved for Salary Placement Committee review.
____________________________________________________________
__________________
Pres / Vice Pres / Vice Prov Signature Stacy Burton, Vice Provost, Faculty Affairs Date
Action Approved by the Provost/President (Completed by Faculty HR):
67464 Range:
4
Pos #(s): 16053
JCC:
EEO: 3A
Eff: 10/1/2013
Approved Title: Associate Director, Online Learning
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 – Associate Director, Online Learning
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 Associate Director for Online Learning administers the development and revision of online
classes at the graduate and undergraduate level for 365 Learning within Extended Studies (EXS) at
the University of Nevada, Reno. The incumbent manages the course development and design team.
Using best practices for online education, the incumbent coordinates the online development and
maintenance of academic credit classes and degree programs. OL has classes at the graduate and
undergraduate levels, including degree programs. The position reports to the Executive Director,
Summer Session and Academic Credit Programs.
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).
55% - Program Development and Management
 Work with faculty during the design and development phase to inform them of University and
department policies, criteria, and standards
 Assign and track status of classes to different members of the design team each semester
 Field questions sent to “IL Designer” via WebCampus and either resolves issues or forwards
to appropriate staff
 Design course elements (i.e., cascading style sheets, icons, etc.) and determine best standard
look for classes
 Coordinate production of course materials and suggests improvements to faculty according to
best practices of online learning in order to maintain the academic integrity of program
 Explore and make recommendations to implement technology in classes and programs
 Create, update, and implement policies and procedures for online courses and programs
 Establish and coordinate appropriate online student services as well as other facets necessary
for online learning
 Work closely with the design team to ensure that all elements are in place each term
(approvals from department chairs; classes properly listed in the class schedule; all details
have been coordinated with campus entities, including Cashiers, Admissions and Records,
Student Services, Knowledge Center, etc.)
 Apply current methodology in the design and delivery of online course content
 Integrate programs and policies with the rest of the campus and collaborate with campus
departments to meet the University’s goals and missions
 Create marketing plans by generating creative, innovative ways to reach audiences, i.e., direct
contact with companies and community groups, web links for information, etc., and collaborate
with media communication offices on campus
 Provide leadership for exploration of new online methodologies and implementation of
evolving technologies, as well as expanding student services for distance students
 Research current trends/technology, delivery models, and online course design and trends in
independent learning delivery to create and design courses most appropriate to a particular
subject matter
 Ensure that best practices are being applied to individual online/distance education classes
 Ensure that national accreditation policies or procedures are being followed in regard to all
aspects of online learning, including but not limited to: exam security, student access, student
services, (advisement, library, etc.) financial aid availability, etc.
 Give pedagogical advice to faculty for teaching online
Position Description – Associate Director, Online Learning
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Ensure compliance with all regulations pertaining to copyright of information used in courses
Work collaboratively with academic faculty to determine appropriate instructional
methodologies and create learning environments by drawing on and integrating a range of
learning resources including online resources, textbooks, supplemental reading, audio and
video
Review course evaluations and makes recommendations to faculty based on repeated student
complaints/concerns
35% - Curriculum Planning and Implementation
 Lead the development and overall management of online-based curriculum; determine which
classes and degrees should be offered and when they can be completed, depending on the
staff resources available
 Work with department chairs and deans regarding new degrees and classes to offer, as well
as for course approvals; discuss issues related to online degrees, online communities, and
related programs
 Develop curriculum goals based on enrollment analyses and student requests and initiates
faculty involvement in development of new courses and revisions
 Oversee design of new classes and/or new degrees to be developed by Online Learning by
researching national demand and supply as well as statewide need and coordinate or oversee
all aspects of implementation
 Research national availability and cost when the University is considering a new online degree
program
 Determine timing of course revisions and whether a class warrants revision (because of fiscal
and University demand reasons) or if it should be cancelled; notifies academic departments
and instructor
 Facilitate and collaborate with campus faculty and department chairs and deans when new
courses are developed
10% - Fiscal and Staff Supervision
 Prepare annual program budget for Online Learning
 Approve expenditures and ensure program solvency
 Hire, train, assign tasks, supervise, and evaluate staff relating to online instruction and
publications editing and production
 Create and update Work Performance Standards for Classified staff and Position Description
Questionnaires for Administrative faculty
 Refine office procedures to ensure efficiency, quality, and productivity
 Meet with employees to ascertain progress on projects, set goals, troubleshoot problems, and
resolve procedural issues or scheduling
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 Associate Director works independently to perform all aspects of this position, including but not
limited to, overseeing the design, development, and maintenance of all Online Learning academic
credit classes at the University. The incumbent collaborates across campus and with stakeholders to
plan and implement curriculum changes while ensuring programs are fiscally successful and solvent
as programs are self-funded. The Associate Director consults with the Director on curriculum changes
and requests regarding more complex faculty assistance.
Position Description – Associate Director, Online Learning
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Impact:
Ensuring the quality of classes and degree programs is the primary responsibility of this position.
University departments are directly impacted by this position’s interaction with faculty and through the
number of courses offered, increasing the number of students who are able to register. FTE is created
for departments through Online Learning courses. Because Online Learning is the main provider of
online classes at UNR, there is a substantial impact on the entire university because of the scope and
quality of the classes and degrees offered with the oversight of this position—what this position
creates directly reflects on the university as a whole. Additionally, the impact to students’ time to
graduation is significant since online classes each semester help students get additional classes
they need to graduate. The addition of fully online graduate degrees and certificates puts the
University on the ‘map’ nationally in a time when online education is booming.
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:
 Online learning as a delivery method and the correlative needs of students when helping
faculty design classes
 Online degree programs and the needs of students studying at a distance
 Online pedagogy
 Best practices
 Components necessary for a quality learning experience
 Layout
 Universal accessibility
 Overall editing standards and the differences between academic vs. non-academic writing
 Higher education environment
Skills:
 Strong verbal and written communication
 Multi-media technical tools, i.e., Adobe Creative Suite (Dreamweaver, Illustrator, InDesign,
Photoshop, etc.)
 Cascading Style Sheets (CSS)
 Web standards
 Interpersonal and human relations skills
 Organizational skills
 Decision making and problem-solving skills
 Supervision
 Budget management
 Time and task management skills
Ability to:
 Work efficiently, amiably, and professionally with administrative and academic faculty
Supervise and mentor staff
 Help faculty design courses appropriate for a method of learning
 Be current on technological advancements and new curriculum trends in the field of online
instruction
 Prioritize multiple projects and course development and complete in timely manner
 Revise and apply current methodology in design and delivery of online course content
 Understand and interpret formalized policies, guidelines, rules, and regulations
 Help colleges and departments put their existing degrees online
Position Description – Associate Director, Online Learning
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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
Deans, Chairs Academic Faculty
Students
Colleagues on campus; i.e.,
Knowledge Center, Admissions
and Records, Cashiers, and
Student Services
Teaching and Learning
Technologies
External
Colleagues across the state and
the U.S.
Software Vendors
Reason for Contact
To discuss new degree or course development, resolve problems,
and recommend changes and technology, define process and
procedures, set up implementation plan
To act as liaison to identify the needs of the students and to
enable instructors to better fill those needs
To coordinate course resources, implement policies, student
services
To coordinate technology and new developments
Reason for Contact
To share information and to discuss trends
To evaluate changes to technology
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
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 four years of experience or Master’s Degree and two years of
experience in a progressively responsible role related to online higher education
curriculum and course design/development including supervision
Preferred Licenses or Certifications: None
c.
Indicate any license or certificate required for this position.
None