Item 3.B-March 9, 2012
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/vpaf/hr/compensation/placement.html for complete instructions.
Incumbent(s) Name (if applicable): Christopher Garner
Position #(s): 17683
Current Title: Programmer/Analyst, Hydrologic Models
Current Range: 3
(JCC:67062;3J;CM5502;CC101;E)
Department: Geography Department
College/Division: College of Science
Account #(s): 1320-114-18AL (grant funded)
Action Proposed: (check all that apply)
(X) New position: Proposed Range:
Proposed Title:
(X ) Title Change, Proposed Title: Project Manager, Hydrologic Research
(X ) Proposed Reassignment from Range 3
to Range 4
( ) 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.
____________________________________________________________
Douglas P. Boyle / Associate Professor Geography
Immediate Supervisor’s Signature
__________________
Date
____________________________________________________________
Paul Starrs, Chair Geography / Jeff Thompson, Dean, Science
Director/Chair/Dean
__________________
Date
Approved for Salary Placement Committee review.
____________________________________________________________
__________________
Pres / Vice Pres / Vice Prov Signature Jannet Vreeland
Date
Vice Provost and Secretary of University
Action Approved by the President (Completed by Faculty HR):
Position #: 17683
EEO Code: 3J
CUPA Code: CM5527
Exempt: Yes or No Census Code: 122
Job Class Code: 67197
Range: 4
Effective Date: 3/1/2012
Approved Title:
PROJECT MANAGER, HYDROLOGIC RESEARCH
____________________________________________________________
__________________
Employee Signature
Date
(Employee signs and sends to HR for personnel file after PDQ has been “final” stamped for approval)
Rev: 12/1/2008
Position Description – Project Manager, Hydrologic Research
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, Hydrologic Research, performs development, testing, and project management
of hydrologic modeling research in the arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States.
Development and testing duties include the development, application, calibration, and evaluation of
conceptual and numerical surface and ground water models in support of alternative future, water
leasing, water market, climate change, and paleoclimate studies. Additional duties include project
management of subcontracts and technical areas of grants; identifying ideas for new proposals and
assisting in writing new proposals for funding. The position reports to the Principal Investigator (PI) on
hydrologic projects.
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).
50% - Program Maintenance
 Develop and apply complex conceptual and numerical surface and groundwater models in
support of existing studies computer codes for the calibration and evaluation of integrated
numerical surface and groundwater models in support of existing studies
 Develop and apply new approaches for simulating the impacts of both temporary and
permanent water acquisitions in complex irrigation-dominated systems in the western U.S
 Utilize geographical information systems tools to support development and analysis of spatial
and temporal input and output of hydrologic models
 Research new computer hardware and software programs for use in hydrologic modeling;
present cost analyses for purchases required to PI
20% - Project Management
 Manage all technical aspects of projects, i.e., discuss development and completion of scope of
work with subcontractor; ensure billings and payments are accurate and within budget; etc.
 Coordinate scope of work, modifications, and completion of project with clients and
stakeholders
 Ensure technical information is communicated to graduate students for completion of work
required
 Collaborate with the PI to ensure all technical areas of project meet contractual requirements
and deadlines
 Ensure deliverables are met based on decisions in quarterly meetings with the funding
agencies
 Prepare quarterly information for PI to present to funding agencies; attend meetings and
participate in discussions of data and development of new requirements or modifications for
new data needed
 Interact with clients (Federal, state, local, and private foundations) and with the Desert
Research Institute faculty for all technical questions and operations of the contracts
20% - Proposal Development
 Prepare and assist other faculty as a Co-PI with new research proposals, to include
subcontracted technical work, budget preparation, and review of proposal text
 Develop and test new ideas for hydrologic modeling projects and proposal submission
Position Description – Project Manager, Hydrologic Research
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Research hydrologic studies, papers, testing, etc., for current information for use in developing
new topics for research
Create new ideas for modeling; test and plan to see if feasible pertaining to development, cost
effectiveness, writing new software or research existing for use, using a consultant or
complete in-house; leveraging of existing software; available resources and people and time
involved
10% - Scholarship Activities
 Assist in the development of conference presentations
 Assist in the writing and revising of research manuscripts, book chapters, and reports
 Present research findings at local, regional, and national meetings and conferences
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:
This position requires the individual to work independently, show creativity, and be assertive in the
development, application, calibration, and evaluation of hydrologic models in support of existing
studies. Limited direction is provided to the incumbent by the supervisor to establish and maintain
project needs, goals, and methods. Incumbent interacts extensively with outside agencies and private
foundations and makes decisions with relation to scope of work and completion of projects.
Impact:
Inaccurate information or failure to meet deadlines impacts existing and future projects. The overall
impact of the position on the department, college, and university will be positive as it provides services
in the area of grants and contracts, and provides additional department resources. The incumbent
increases department and University abilities to secure grants in the area of hydrologic modeling.
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:
 Hydrology and hydrogeology
 Numeric surface, groundwater, and water right models (e.g., MMS-PRMS, MODFLOW,
MODSIM)
 Computer programming software including Visual Studio.net, Matlab, FORTRAN and SQL
Server
 Geographic Information Science (GIS) and associated software and relational databases
 Multi-objective optimization theory and software applications
 Water leasing and market feasibility studies
 Project and contract management
Skills:
 Hydrologic modeling of surface and groundwater systems
 GIS relational databases
 Computer programming with Visual Studio.net, Matlab, FORTRAN, SQL Server and other
software
 Popular multi-object optimization software applications
Position Description – Project Manager, Hydrologic Research
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Application of multi-objective computer codes
Software and hardware cost research and cost analysis
Strong written and verbal communication to include presentations to clients and
communicating needed technical work to graduate students and student workers
Reporting to university, State, and/or Federal agencies
Analytical, critical thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving skills
Supervisory skills, including an ability to teach and mentor students
Ability to:
 Work under strict timelines and meet project deliverables
 Assist faculty in the development of new research proposals
 Assist faculty in the writing of research manuscripts, book chapters, and reports
 Manage budgets
 Be sensitive to cultural and ethnic diversity issues in dealing with students and staff
 Understand contractual language regarding scope of work and formalized policies, guidelines,
rules, and regulations
 Develop credibility, establish rapport, and formulate partnerships with diverse populations that
result in collaborative efforts, and sustain effective cooperative working relationships
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
Geography Department faculty
Reason for Contact
To maintain progress on complex hydrologic modeling studies
External
Federal state, and local
agencies, i.e., USGS, U.S.
Bureau of Reclamation, U.S.
Department of Justice, NV State
Engineer, etc.,
Private funding agencies,
stakeholders, and local groups,
i.e., National Fish and Wildlife
Foundation, Walker Lake Paiute
Tribe, etc.
Desert Research Institute faculty
Water Rights Attorneys
International/National
Engineering consulting firm
Reason for Contact
To coordinate project deliverables
To coordinate and discuss scope of work, modification to contract,
and presentation of data
To coordinate and collaborate on funded research
To research water rights
To implement subcontract agreement, ensure completion of work,
and monitor billing/payment for services
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
Position Description – Project Manager, Hydrologic Research
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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.
Master’s Degree and four years of experience working in the field of hydrologic
modeling in arid and semi-arid regions; developing computer applications for the
calibration and evaluation for integrated numerical surface and groundwater models;
multi-objective optimization and evaluation of hydrologic models; water leasing and
market feasibility studies; and project management
Preferred Licenses or Certifications: None
c.
Indicate any license or certificate required for this position.
None