Item 9.B-February 2, 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): 17674
Current Title: Research Analyst, Agricultural Economic Development Current Range: 2
(JCC:67040;3B)
Department: Economics (BUDN)
College/Division: 50% CABNR, 50% College of
Business
Account #(s): 0000-000-0000 (new grant)
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 or
( ) Line of Progression (show titles below)
new HR assigned):
Range:
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.
____________________________________________________________
Thomas R. Harris
/ Elliot Parker
Prof/Dir, UCED/St Ext Spec / Prof/Chair, Economics
Immediate Supervisor’s Signature
__________________
Date
____________________________________________________________
__________________
Director/Chair/Dean
Ron Pardini, Dean, Agr, Biotech, & Nat Res (Interim)
Date
____________________________________________________________
Director/Chair/Dean
Gregory Mosier, Dean, College of business
__________________
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 Provost/President (Completed by Faculty HR):
67040 Range:
2
Pos #(s): 17674
JCC:
EEO: 3B
Eff:
Approved Title: Research Analyst Agricultural Economic Development
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 – Research Analyst, Agricultural Economic Development
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 Research Analyst, Agricultural Economic Development, manages and conducts research in support
of his/her own projects and one or multiple faculty members’ projects in the Department of Economics
under the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology and Natural Resources (CABNR), College of Business
(COB) and the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI). The Research Analyst designs
and develops econometric modeling systems, collects and analyzes data, manages the research
agendas, develops baseline projections, produces reports and presents research findings to various
audiences from state commodity groups to Congressional agricultural staff. The position examines
agricultural commodity supply, demand, and prices for major crops and products for a variety of
countries. The incumbent also examines economic development in the state of Nevada with particular
interest in developing agricultural price models of the Western United States. These models are
incorporated into a larger national model for analysis of future Farm Bills. Additional projects involve
developing representative Nevada farm and ranches for analysis of national agricultural and public land
polices. The Research Analyst develops and submits proposal for funding of various projects. The
position reports to the Director, University Center for Excellence in Education (UCED)/State Extension
Specialist.
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).
80% - Agricultural Price Model Development
 Collect and analyze various agricultural commodity supply, demand, and price data,
macroeconomic and demographic data, agricultural policy information and data for major
agricultural producers and consumers around the world
 Develop international agricultural commodity models and incorporate them into the FAPRI
modeling and analytical system
 Collect and analyze agricultural production and price data for the Western United States
 Develop Western states’ agricultural price models to be incorporated into the larger national
FAPRI model
 Develop 10-year baseline projections of international and state-level markets consistent with the
FAPRI United States agricultural model
 Develop analysis reports and presentation materials for audiences both within the broader
FAPRI constituency and for Nevada agricultural stakeholders
15% - Farm/Ranch Level Simulation Models
 Collect data for development of representative ranches and farms for analyses of public policies
on Western agriculture
 Analyze results of representative ranches to develop publications
5% - Faculty Research Agenda Management
 Supervise other analysts and student workers in collection of agricultural data for development of
price and representative ranch models and estimation of models
 Ensure timelines and deadlines for faculty projects are met
Position Description – Research Analyst, Agricultural Economic Development
Page 3
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 Research Analyst obtains and is further assigned multiple tasks and/or extended projects and is
expected to know how to proceed with no or minimal instruction and supervision. The projects may be
checked for progress towards completion where accuracy is usually assumed. The individual consults
with the Director on overall project direction and more complex issues.
Impact:
The decisions and judgments of the Research Analyst impact the success and continued funding of the
research projects. The Research Analyst’s performance has an impact on the reputation of the
department as a leading research organization.
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:
 Econometric procedures for estimation of agricultural models of supply, demand, and prices
 Produce baseline projections of agricultural commodity markets and prices for use in subsequent
analyses.
 Ability to formulate scenario analysis and develop alternatives to baseline projections.
 Computers and statistical analysis and econometric software Agricultural price and production
data sources
 Farm/ranch level simulation modeling
Skills:
 Excellent interpersonal skills
 Strong verbal and written communication
Ability to:
 Develop relationships and networks with researchers at other institutions
 Collect and analyze primary and secondary data for purposes of applied economic analysis
 Work effectively with minimal supervision
 Work in a team environment
 Supervise other analysts and student employees
 Synthesize research results into publications, technical reports and fact sheets
 Present research findings to a variety of audiences, including state and regional agricultural
stakeholders, federal government employees, and Congressional staff
 Develop proposals for funding opportunities
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
Principal and co-principal
investigators of the research
projects within the department
Reason for Contact
To coordinate work and report progress
Position Description – Research Analyst, Agricultural Economic Development
Page 4
Other investigators and
researchers, including faculty
members outside of the
department, other research
analysts, and graduate
researchers, associated with
specific research projects
To coordinate research activities
External
Investigators and researchers
at other universities and
government agencies
Congressional Agricultural
Committee staff
Reason for Contact
To collaborate on model and baseline projection development,
alternative scenario analyses, and compare projections
To provide results of baseline projections and alternative
analyses to provide information for policymakers in
development of new legislation and trade policies
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
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 one year of professional experience working in agricultural
economics or economics
Preferred Licenses or Certifications: None
c.
Indicate any license or certificate required for this position.
None