Item 8.C-December 13, 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):
Position #(s):
Current Title:
Current Range:
(JCC: )
Department: Small Business Development Center
College/Division: College of Business
Account #(s): 0000-000-0000 (new grant funds)
Action Proposed: (check all that apply)
2
(X) New position: Proposed Range:
Proposed Title: Farm Manager, High Desert Farming Initiative (HDFI)
( ) 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 Winnie Dowling, Dep Dir, Nevada SBDC
__________________
Date
____________________________________________________________
__________________
Sam Males, Director, Nevada SBDC / Gregory Mosier, Dean, Business Admin
Date
Director/Chair/Dean
Approved for Salary Placement Committee review.
____________________________________________________________
__________________
Pres / Vice Pres / Vice Prov Signature Stacy Burton, Vice President, Faculty Affairs Date
Action Approved by the Provost/President (Completed by Faculty HR):
67476 Range:
2
Pos #(s):
JCC:
EEO: 3B
Eff: 12/1/2013
Approved Title: Farm Manager, High Desert Farming Initiative (HDFI)
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 – Farm Manager, High Desert Farming Initiative
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 Farm Manager for the High Desert Farming Initiative (HDFI) manages the HDFI hoop houses and
heated greenhouse project located on Valley Road adjacent to the University of Nevada, Reno. The
HDFI has three goals: provide an educational program in sustainable farming systems for high desert
climates; provide research and hands-on educational experience to University faculty, students, and
community; and demonstrate working agricultural systems that address challenges of both economic
and environmental sustainability for the agricultural community. The Farm Manager maintains and
monitors the growing conditions and structures in the hoop house and greenhouses to ensure crop
conditions are sufficient and harvests are usable. The Farm Manager also assists in demonstrations
to the community. The position reports to the Project Manager, HDFI.
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% - Site Operations
 Maintains and monitors the growing conditions and structures in the hoop house and
greenhouses to ensure crop conditions are sufficient and harvests are usable
 Assist in determining site needs and requirements (for soil, water, light and protection) and
determination of crops
30% - Process Management
 Assist in the coordination and management of processes for planting, weeding and harvesting
 Assist in teaching and monitoring students and volunteers
20% - System Monitoring
 Build and monitor systems including assures the hoop house sides are raised or lowered for
changing temperatures, builds water systems
15% - Data Collection
 Provide oversight and monitoring of data collection for research projects
5% - Community Outreach
 Assist with community outreach including providing tours and demonstrations of project
activities
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 Project Manager must take initiative and use own judgment in assigned work and completing
HDFI objectives. The position interacts with lower level internal (campus or system) and external
administrators and staff for the exchange and interpretation of information and policies. The
incumbent works independently in completing work assignments and responsibilities but consults with
the supervisor on overall project mission and goals.
Position Description – Farm Manager, High Desert Farming Initiative
Page 3
Impact:
The Farm Manager’s knowledge of soil, water, and high desert growing conditions and crop expertise
greatly affects the project’s crops and how they are sustained in the initiative. Crop conditions in the
structures must be monitored consistently, otherwise crop damage will occur and harvests will be
unusable. If the incumbent does not make consistent and well thought out decisions, every area of
assigned responsibility could be negatively affected, i.e., student success, faculty development, fiscal
sustainability, community involvement, etc. Because of the high visibility of the position to the public
and/or campus community, the work of the incumbent reflects on and may have a direct negative or
positive impact on the perception and reputation of the University, COB, CABNR, and SBDC. Failing
to adhere to local, state, county, federal laws and regulations could have legal implications for the
University. Inadequate performance may result in contractual obligation failures resulting in loss of
future funding and may negatively affect the University’s research mission and reputation of the
unit/department, college/division, and 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:
 Economic and environmental sustainability for the agricultural community
 Soil, water, and high desert growing conditions and crop expertise
 State and federal laws, regulations, and policies concerning environmental compliance
requirements as they relate to agricultural processes and facilities including associated safety
practices, work practices and emergency response and management procedures
Skills:
 Faculty teaching and development opportunities and factors contributing to excellence in
teaching and ways to mentor students, volunteers, and faculty to achieve excellence
 Excellent verbal and written communication
 Interpersonal and human relations skills
 Supervisory skills, including an ability to teach and mentor volunteers and students
 Organizational management skills
Ability to:
 Work with diverse populations and be sensitive to gender, disabilities, and cultural and ethnic
diversity issues
 Supervise and assist staff with coordination of work efforts
 Understand and interpret formalized policies, guidelines, rules, and regulations
 Facilitate exchange, coordination, and collaboration of information, work, and projects/events
 Work flexible hours with weekend and evening work 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
Administrative Offices - Nevada
SBDC, Facilities
Reason for Contact
To discuss and collaborate on resource and project requirements
Position Description – Farm Manager, High Desert Farming Initiative
Co-workers/ peers/ colleagues
CABNR
External
Government entities, public,
community offices
Farmers and farming community
Page 4
To discuss activities for grant proposals and to review applications
submitted for funding special projects .To exchange ideas and
information, provide training, and impart knowledge
To coordinate project activities
Reason for Contact
To discuss and collaborate on projects, contracts, and grants
To discuss and collaborate on research and community needs
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 two years of experience in soil, water, and high desert growing
conditions and crop expertise
Preferred Licenses or Certifications: None
c.
Indicate any license or certificate required for this position.
None