January 30, 2015
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): Patricia Richard
Position #(s): 10798
Current Title: Assistant Vice President, Constituent Relations
Current Range: 5
(JCC:77709;E)
Department: President’s Office
College/Division: President’s Office
Account #(s): 1101-101-0001
Action Proposed: (check all that apply)
( ) New position: Proposed Range:
Proposed Title:
( ) Title Change, Proposed Title: Chief of Staff and Assistant Vice President,
Constituent Relations
( X ) Proposed Reassignment from Range 5 to Range 6
( ) 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
Marc Johnson, President
__________________
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):
78365 Range:
6
1/1/2015
Pos #(s): 10798
JCC:
EEO: 1E
Eff:
Approved Title: Chief of Staff and Assistant Vice President, Constituent Relations
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 – Chief of Staff and AVP, Constituent Relations
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 Chief of Staff and Assistant Vice President, Constituent Relations, reports directly to the
President of the University of Nevada, Reno and is responsible for enhancing and developing the
University of Nevada, Reno’s position as a National Tier 1 research institution. The individual
develops strategic relationships with members of President’s Council, Academic Leadership Council,
Nevada System of Higher Education, alumni, donors, community leaders, and elected officials. The
Chief of Staff works directly with the President managing and resolving issues on his/her behalf. The
individual prioritizes the President’s time and allocates it in consultation with the President. The
individual researches and provides briefings to the President and must be flexible and sensitive in
handling confidential information. The Chief of Staff analyzes issues and consults with, and advises,
the President on appropriate courses of action on a variety of issues. The Chief of Staff coordinates
the President’s involvement in University, development, alumni and donor-related events, University
events, legislative matters (local and federal), legal matters, grievances, and community activities.
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% - Presidential Consultation, Advisement and Management
 Directs special projects as assigned by the President
 Resolves issues on behalf of the President
 Directs meeting preparation for the President to include briefing the President, strategizing,
and writing remarks for the President’s public appearances
 Engages appropriate University and community leaders as needed for presidential priorities
 Directs and sets the tone of communication from the Office of the President
 Prioritizes the President’s time and serves as gate-keeper for Presidential meetings
 Analyzes issues, consults with and advises the President on appropriate courses of action on
complex issues
 Coordinates the President’s involvement in University activities such as: development, alumni
and donor-related events, legislative matters (local and federal), legal matters, grievances, and
community activities; participates in activities related to comprehensive campaigns.
 Determines and executes appropriate protocol on behalf of the President and the President’s
Office
25% - President’s Liaison
 Facilitates resolution of issues by acting as liaison between the President, University
administrators, faculty, staff, students, chancellor, regents, and off-campus constituents,
including state and federal legislators and agencies, donors, alumni, and community leaders
 Supports the President at internal and external functions and public activities
 Develops alternatives to complex issues for presentation to the President and works with
senior administrators to resolve or work-through issues
 Cultivates and maintains donor relationships by being familiar with their giving histories,
personal interests and philanthropic priorities as it relates to their continued support of the
University
 Acts as liaison with the Board of Regents, Chancellor and staff
Position Description – Chief of Staff and AVP, Constituent Relations
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10% - Office Management
 Develops, monitors, and controls accounts for the President’s office
 Manages and supervises the professional staff of the President’s Office
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:
Discretion and confidentiality in all areas of responsibility are demanded. The work performed by the
Chief of Staff advances the priorities of the President. The individual works independently with little
direction or supervision to identify and resolve key issues. Issues are routinely handled on behalf of
the President without direction. Issues of great import or consequence are discussed with the
President before resolution is executed.
Impact:
The position’s performance is critical to how the President is perceived and to the President’s
success. The goal of the position is to ensure the President is prepared, informed and advised
regarding key issues. Poor judgment and/or insufficient or misleading information given to the
President could be detrimental or embarrassing to the President and the University. This can impact
donors, the regents, legislators, students and the general public.
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:
 Higher education organizational structures, policies, and operations
 Higher education working environment to include organizational structures, operations and
policies
 Strategic management principles
 Budget development and management
Skills:
 Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to write reports,
summarize complex issues, and to exercise professional judgment in responding to
correspondence in an appropriate and sensitive manner
 Positive interpersonal and human relations skills
 Leadership
 Strong organizational and time management skills
 Effective analysis and decision-making skills
Ability to:
 Influence, persuade and achieve consensus
 Analyze situations and develop and implement solutions
 Maintain confidentiality of highly sensitive information
 Develop and sustain effective relationships with faculty, staff, colleagues, government and
community members in a diverse environment
 Understand complex ideas and see the “big picture” while understanding the steps necessary
to work through an issue or move it forward
Position Description – Chief of Staff and AVP, Constituent Relations
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Show tact and diplomacy in sensitive situations
Be flexible and work under limited supervision with considerable latitude for initiative and
independent judgment
Understand and implement organizational policies and procedures
Understand and interpret formalized policies, guidelines, rules, and regulations
Work independently with little direct supervision and as a collaborative team member
Prepare clear, concise information summarizing issues and strategies
Present information to diverse audiences
Communicate in a professional and effective manner in both written and oral forms with
university and system administration, faculty, staff, students, and the public
Apply sound judgment, discretion, and initiative in the position
Represent the President in a professional manner and project a positive image
Work occasional weekends and evenings
Travel with the President as needed
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
Senior Administrators
Faculty
Staff
Students
External
Regents:, Chancellor and
Elected Officials
Donors
Constituents
General public
Reason for Contact
To gather information and clarify issues; to implement Presidential
decisions or collaborate to resolve problems
To gather information and clarify issues; to partner for marketing
purposes
To gather information and clarify issues
To gather information and clarify issues
Reason for Contact
To position the President for successful conversations and
outcomes to key issues
To gather information, provide information, represent the
University at functions
To gather information and provide information. To resolve issues
on behalf of the president and University
To gather information and provide information. To resolve issues
on behalf of the president and University
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
Position Description – Chief of Staff and AVP, Constituent Relations
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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 six years, or a Master’s Degree and four years, of experience
working at an executive-level, preferably in higher education or academia
Preferred Licenses or Certifications: None
c.
Indicate any license or certificate required for this position.
None