ADMINISTRATIVE FACULTY JOB DESCRIPTION
APPROVED POSITION INFORMATION
(to be completed by HR)
Effective: March 1, 2015
Title
Engineer
Essential Function: Medium Work
Range
JCC
3
78407
PCN
Description: Exerting 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force
frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
Medium work requires walking or standing to a significant degree and pushing and/or pulling.
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 Engineer oversees and guides the development and implementation of technologies
utilized in a comprehensive program to advance the Unmanned Autonomous Systems (UAS)
field in Northern Nevada. The engineer provides technical support and oversight for centerrelated projects that include identifying and utilizing specific UAS equipment, conducting
experiments, designing and building prototypes, and collecting and analyzing data for
technological enhancements as well as for preparing reports to funding sources. The engineer
also works with faculty and industry teams on technology development, education and training
activities, and other duties that will require technical expertise.
* 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.
35% Technical Oversight
 Provide advice on the viability of proposed research projects
 Provide direction to the engineers, technicians, and other technical staff concerning
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) implementation
 Diagnose and preemptively resolve critical UAV and robotic maintenance issues
 Design and develop major systems-related operations and experiment support
 Resolve problems among technical staff and researchers involving task assignments
and engineering resources
20% Laboratory Administration
 Establish and communicate technical assignments and priorities for engineering and
technical staff
 Assist in the preparation of new protocol applications
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Engineer, NAASIC
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Implement all research activities within an ethically-based framework and in accordance
with good research practices (i.e., Federal, State, and Institutional regulatory
requirements)
Manage data collections on NAASIC research projects
Review and edit final technical project reports
Promote a safe work environment and ensure regulatory compliance
20% - Center Operations
 Coordinate and manage multiple project activities with project Principal Investigators (PI)
and Industry teams
 Coordinate with the department staff to hire temporary staff for the engineering summer
camps
 Coordinate all purchases and financial needs in a proactive and planned manner—carry
out plans while complying with department and University rules, regulations, and
timelines
 Maintain current inventory of NAASIC research resources, equipment, computers and
sensitive equipment
 Interact and work with department staff to obtain data for budget preparation,
compliance issues, audits, revisions and closeouts
 Assist PIs in preparation and calculation of budget for grant applications, both with new
and continued funding
 Monitor protocol budgets for each project and ensure compliance with funding
requirements and within budget restrictions.
 Participate in project documentation collection and submission in the event of an audit
15% Outreach and Collaboration
 Prepare newsletters to disseminate NAASIC Center news and information to internal
and external sources
 Meet with university, community, federal, state and local agencies, as well as with
collaborating business leaders to ensure business and contractual objectives are fulfilled
 Supervise and direct consultants, entrepreneurs, investors, innovators, and supporting
faculty on existing and new technology projects
10% Academic Development
 Oversee, monitor, and facilitate graduate assistants and/or student employees working
on NAASIC and capstone projects
 Develop the technical skills of graduate students, undergraduate students, and visiting
K-12 outreach students
 Assist in the development of new innovative UAS course work to support the UAS minor
in the College of Engineering
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.
The Engineer is required to make independent decisions with minimal instruction and
supervision. The decisions and judgments may affect the department and the University directly
with respect to operation and maintenance budgets, the Knowledge Fund, and the support of
faculty and staff needs related to facility improvement and research support. The incumbent is
required to provide economic and innovative solutions to a wide range of facility-related
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Engineer, NAASIC
problems. Quality system design and construction improves the educational and researchbased environment. The incumbent assumes responsibility for accurately identifying problems
and deficiencies in new and old designs, construction, and operation of the NAASIC projects
and labs. Varied engineering expertise provides economic and innovative solutions to a wide
range of faculty, industry and facility related problems.
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.
The Engineer works with minimal supervision; however, the position will bring various types of
problems and issues to the attention of the NAASIC Technical and Business Directors. It is
expected that failures to meet any and all conditions in a statement of work will be brought to
the Directors. Employee conflict resolutions issues within the NAASIC personnel and personal
work grievances involving supervisory and/or work place environment issues will be brought to
the Directors. All budgetary shortfall issues and all fiscal procurement of necessary research
equipment will be addressed by the Directors. Communications of interest by companies
regarding contractual agreements with NAASIC will be directed to the Directors. Any situations
that the Engineer feels should be addressed at a higher level should also be brought forward.
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
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Analytical Thinking
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Communication
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Diversity and Inclusion
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Financial Responsibilities
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Human Resource Responsibilities
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Leadership
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Program/Project/Functional Knowledge
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Resource Responsibilities
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Serving Constituents
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Teamwork
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Other (specify)
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Engineer, NAASIC
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 professional experience
Master’s Degree
Two years of professional experience
Ph.D. Degree
One year of professional experience
Relevant Experience: research or development in Advanced Technologies
– UAV flying experience preferable; Robotics background a must. Incumbent
must be proficient in the area of building UAV systems, robotics, 3D printing,
UAV flying. Experience in robotics designs, assembly, and programming.
Certification and Licensure: (bulleted)
 Valid Nevada Driver’s license or ability to obtain one by the start of the
appointment
 FAA Certificate of Authorization to fly and test UAVs in the designated area at the
time of hire or upon hire
 FAA Second-Class Medical Certification annually
Optional Addendum: Describe the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to successful
performance of this job (in bullet format).
Knowledge of:
 Mechanical engineering and computer science principles, practices, and methods—
particularly related to system designs, assembly, and testing
 Project management/supervisory principles, practices, and methods
 Cost estimates, plans, specifications report preparation, budget preparation and system
economy
 Knowledge of FAA UAV policies and issues as well as local and University policies
affecting UAV flights and testing methods
 Institutional Review Board (IRB) methodology and protocols
 Advanced robotics, programming and data interpretation
Skills:
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Database Management and computer programming
Problem-solving skills and decision-making skills
Technical communications and writing
Research methodologies, database design (database programs as well as online web
based research applications) and implementation – design, data collection, analysis, and
interpretation of both qualitative and quantitative data
Program/project/event planning, development, coordination and management
Small UAV flying experience
Ability to interact and demonstrate technologies for news and print media
Proficient in robotics – programming, data analysis, maintenance
Proficiency in use of personal computer and current software applications including but
not limited to Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Access, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook)
Supervisory skills
Strong written and verbal communication skills
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Engineer, NAASIC
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Research experience in robotics and artificial intelligence
Teaching experience in machine learning, artificial intelligence and robotics
Ability to:
 Manage multiple complex studies according to protocol and in compliance with all
relevant regulations
 Prepare reports for oversight groups
 Maintain accurate up-to-date records following university and department guidelines and
policies
 Interact positively with all College of Engineering offices to ensure a positive workflow
between them
 Work with diverse populations and be sensitive to gender, disabilities, and cultural and
ethnic diversity issues
 Apply established rules and procedures and make decisions that affect quality,
accuracy, or effectiveness of results
 Facilitate exchange, coordination, and collaboration of information, work, and
projects/events
 Research and pursue all grant opportunities
 Develop new projects within an academic setting with an understanding of how to
institutionalize new sustainability efforts
 Proactively contribute to management for problem resolution
 Direct the development of projects and diagnostics related to the operations and
experiments
 Liaise with experimenters to understand requirements, translate those requirements into
specific tasks, and coordinate efforts of the technical staff for implementation of
experiments
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