POSITION DESCRIPTION QUESTIONNAIRE
ADMINISTRATIVE FACULTY
To expedite and facilitate the PDQ review process, please send the PDQ and Org Chart
electronically to marshag@unr.edu for initial review before routing PDQ for approval signatures.
Questions - call UNR-HR at 682-6114
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INSTRUCTIONS: See http://www.unr.edu/vpaf/hr/compensation/placement.html for complete instructions.
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Name of Incumbent(s) (if applicable): Vacant
Position #: 11432
Current Title: Executive Director, Nevada Humanities
Current Range: 4
(77132;1B;CM3535;CC001;E)
Department: Nevada Humanities
College/Division:
Vice Provost, Extended Studies
Action Proposed: (check all that apply)
( ) New position : Proposed Range:
Proposed Title:
( )Title Change, Proposed Title:
( ) Proposed Reassignment from Range
to Range
( x ) Revised PDQ only (no change in range or title)
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 Fred Holman
Vice Provost, Extended Studies
Date
Pres / Vice Pres / Vice Prov Signature Jannet Vreeland
Date
Interim Exec Vice President and Provost
Action Approved by the President (Completed by Faculty HR):
Position #:
EEO Code:
CUPA Code:
Job Class Code:
Exempt: Yes or No Census Code:
Range:
Effective Date:
Approved Title:
_____________________________________________________________________________
Employee Signature
Date
(Employee sign and send to HR for personnel file after PDQ approval for personnel file)
Rev: 2/5/2008
Position Description - Executive Director, Nevada Humanities
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 Executive Director of Nevada Humanities (NH) is responsible for the management and oversight
of all programs and activities of Nevada Humanities, a nonprofit organization governed by a volunteer
board of trustees that is one of 56 state and territorial humanities councils funded in part by an annual
operating grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). The Executive Director
provides state-wide leadership to advance the mission and goals of the organization including
strategic plan development, implementation of policies established by the Board of Trustees,
administering a federally-funded grant program, and hiring and supervising staff located in the Reno
and Las Vegas offices, fundraising, and being a spokesperson throughout the state for the
Humanities community.
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).
30% - Fundraising
 Develop plans for building a sustainable revenue base to maintain existing programs and
initiate new ones to keep pace with population growth and to allow NH to exert a greater
leadership role
 Increase financial resources, using a variety of strategies and approaches:
o Participate in national advocacy efforts
o Create opportunities for businesses to invest in the humanities
o Create compelling cases for support
o Hold fundraising/friend raising events
o Research funding opportunities
o Carry out an annual fund drive
o Prepare grant applications
o Develop plans for making Online Nevada Encyclopedia (ONE) self-sustaining
20% - Administration and Management
 Hire staff who have adequate and necessary skills to carry out board approved programs and
activities
 Provide annual evaluation of staff, and work with staff to set and achieve goals (in context of
Strategic Plan)
 Have appropriate and up-to-date documents in place that outline procedures and policies
 Have systems in place for measuring progress in meeting goals set forth in the strategic plan
 Stay abreast of best management practices
 Approve all expenditures except those that require approval by the finance committee or full
board
 Be familiar with guidelines for the use of federal funds, and with contemporary auditing
standards
 Prepare and present to the board the annual budget for review and approval by the board
 Review monthly financial statements
 Submit required reports to NEH, State of Nevada, and others, as needed
20% - Programs
 Maintain substantive knowledge and involvement in the full range of Nevada Humanities
programs and services
 Set high standards for program content and delivery
 Encourage new programming initiatives
Position Description - Executive Director, Nevada Humanities
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Have procedures in place for evaluating effectiveness of programs carried out by NH and its
grantees
Seek partnerships with other organizations to work in concert toward common purpose and
the common good.
20% - Communication and outreach
 Be a spokesperson for Nevada Humanities
 Monitor the communications plan and update as needed
 Oversee publication of brochures, newsletters, annual reports and electronic communication
10% - Board of Trustees
 Understand the role of the board and the board’s expectations of the executive director
 With the board chair, prepare the agenda and materials for board meetings
 Implement education of new and continuing board members, as directed by the board chair
 Facilitate the work of board committees
 Present an annual work plan and annual review of progress in meeting board approval goals
and objectives
 Facilitate periodic review and update of the strategic plan
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.
The Executive Director has freedom to make decisions within the parameters of the organization’s bylaws, program plan, and established policies and procedures of NH, NEH, UNLV and UNR. The
individual is expected to make decisions (including those involving (personnel, financial, and
programming) that will advance the mission and vision of Nevada Humanities, and to seek the advice
and counsel of the chair, the executive committee, or the full board of trustees, as appropriate. The
judgment of and decisions made by this position impact the unit’s ability to attract and retain donors
who are critical to the financial and strategic goals of the program and the university.
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:
 The humanities and how they can be used to shape public discourse and provide context for
contemporary issues and concerns
 Historical, interdisciplinary, and cross-cultural perspectives
 Program planning and assessment
Skills:
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Demonstrated skills in program planning, evaluation and assessment
Strong oral and written communication skills
Fundraising
Proficiency in the use of computers
Analytical skills
Building interpersonal relationships
Ability to:
 Think creatively
 Maintain focus on organizational goals
Position Description - Executive Director, Nevada Humanities
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Take initiative and use own judgment
Inspire, engage, and motivate others
Lead and coordinate fundraising activities
Understand and respect diverse points of view
Manage, prioritize, and complete multiple tasks/projects in an efficient and timely manner
Work independently and as a team member with board and staff and program partners
Understand and use relational databases
Plan and coordinate meetings and events
Organize information for reports and publications
Understand financial reports and costs and benefits
Travel and work on evenings and weekends
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:
 Board of Trustees—responsible to the board; serves at the pleasure of the board
 Staff—hiring, evaluation, oversight
 Independent contractors—develop contractual arrangements and oversight of work
 UNR—maintain contract for services; follow all UNR personnel policies and procedures
 UNLV—maintain arrangements for space and services; follow all applicable UNLV policies and
procedures
External:
 The general public—provide quality programs and services; articulate the value of the
humanities; utilize transparent management practices, i.e., good use of tax payers dollars
 Nonprofit organizations—offer grants for community-based humanities programs
 National Endowment for the Humanities—prepare and submit mandatory reports in a timely
fashion; NEH requires a five year self assessment and review
 Governor—federally mandated that Governor appoints 25% if board and is to be kept
informed; this helps ensure a close relationship with state government
 Director, Nevada Department of Cultural Affairs—state funds pass through DCA; provide
performance indicators for state budgeting process
 Congressmen and Legislators, who approve budgets of NEH and DCA—keep legislators
informed
 Grantees (sub recipients of federal grants)—monitor use of federal funds; enforce Guidelines
for Funded Projects
 Donors—cultivate, solicit and appreciate
 Media—seek out media coverage to increase awareness of programs; articulate the
importance of the humanities to reporters
 Scholars—cultivate and encourage participation; all NH sponsored programs require
participation by humanities scholars or experts in their fields
 Larger cultural community—network with directors of other cultural organizations; seek
collaboration and partnerships; work together for the common good
Position Description - Executive Director, Nevada Humanities
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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 emphasis or major in a
humanities discipline 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 a minimum of four years or a Doctorate and two years of work
experience and a proven record of success in an appropriate field, such as nonprofit
management, marketing, fundraising, programming or teaching
c.
Indicate any license or certificate required for this position.
None