Meeting: December 22, 2014
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): Jennifer Ott
Position #(s): 12170
Current Title: Project Manager, High Desert Farming Initiative
Current Range: 2
(HDFI) (JCC: 67475)
Department: Dean’s Office (Move from BUDN/SBDC)
College/Division: Agriculture,
Biotechnology, and Natural Resources
Account #(s): 1106-152-0001 and continuing grant funds
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)
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 Ronald Pardini, Assoc Dir, NAES
__________________
Date
____________________________________________________________
Director/Chair/Dean William A. Payne, Dean, CABNR
__________________
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):
67475 Range:
2
Pos #(s): 12170
JCC:
EEO: 3B
Eff: 12/1/2014
Approved Title: Project 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 – Project Manager, HDFI
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 Project Manager of the High Desert Farming Initiative (HDFI) manages the project activities and
coordinates project resources. The HDFI is a collaboration between the Nevada Small Business
Development Center (SBDC) under the College of Business (COB), University of Nevada Cooperative
Extension (UNCE), and the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology, and Natural Resources (CABNR) at
the University of Nevada, Reno. The HDFI works towards three goals: develop, implement and
provide resources for an educational program in sustainable farming systems for desert climates;
provide opportunities for research and hands-on educational experience to University faculty, students
and community; and demonstrate working sustainable agricultural systems that address the
challenges of for the agricultural community. The position reports to the Dean, CABNR/Director of the
Nevada Agricultural Experiment Station through the Associate Director of the Nevada Agricultural
Experiment Station.
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).
40% - Project Implementation Management
 Develop, implement and provide resources for an educational program in sustainable farming
systems for desert climates
 Demonstrate, in consultation with relevant COB, CABNR and UNCE faculty, working
sustainable agricultural systems that address the challenges of the agricultural community
 Coordinate resources and staff, including oversee the HDFI Farm Manager and other HDFI
staff
20% - Collaboration
 Organize collaboration between the HDFI, CABNR, UNCE, COB, and other University faculty,
farmers, and community members, including outreach, development of new partners and
coordinate partner, advisory board, and community meetings
 Provide opportunities for research and hands-on educational experience to University faculty,
students and community
20% - Grant Writing
 Identify HDFI funding sources and assist in grant writing and funding requests
20% - Grant Support
 Manage and participate in associated grants, including grant reporting
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 works with limited supervision and with some latitude for initiative and
independent judgment within the defined parameters of the program. The incumbent must take
initiative and work within clearly defined parameters when distributing work and completing HDFI
objectives. The position interacts with lower level internal (campus or system) and external
Position Description – Project Manager, HDFI
Page 3
administrators and staff for the exchange and interpretation of information and policies. The
incumbent works with grant funded federal budgets and must be able to ensure compliance with
specific rules and regulations and accurate effort reporting for each grant or contract. The incumbent
works independently in completing work assignments and responsibilities but consults with the
supervisor on overall project and budget changes in grants.
Impact:
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 UNCE. 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:
 Principles of sustainable agriculture, especially with regard to horticultural products
 Project or program management
 Budget development and planning
 Proposal and budget development and management and grant writing to procure grants and
contracts from local, state, federal, and other resources for funding programs and projects
 Reporting to University, State, and/or Federal agencies
 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:
 Factors contributing to excellence in teaching and ways to mentor students and community
members
 Excellent verbal and written communication
 Interpersonal and human relations skills
 Supervisory skills, including an ability to teach and mentor staff and students
 Organizational management skills
Ability to:
 Work with diverse populations and be sensitive to gender, disabilities, and cultural and ethnic
diversity issues
 Develop and manage budget for optimal use of financial resources
 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
Position Description – Project Manager, HDFI
Page 4
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 – COB,
UNCE and CABNR Sponsored
Projects, Purchasing, Accounts
Payable, Payroll
Co-workers/ peers/ colleagues
CABNR
External
Funding agencies
Government entities, public,
community offices
Farmers and agriculture
community
Reason for Contact
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 and reports
Reason for Contact
To discuss issues, collaborate on projects, and negotiate
contracts, and grants
To discuss and collaborate on projects, contracts, and grants
To discuss issues and research needs and collaborate on projects
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 project or program management
Preferred Licenses or Certifications: None
c.
Indicate any license or certificate required for this position.
None