Item 3.D-October 12, 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/hr/compensation-and-evaluation for complete instructions.
Incumbent(s) Name (if applicable): Vacant
Position #(s): New
Current Title: Safety Incident Officer
Current Range: 2
(JCC:67203;3A;CM3582 )
Department: Environmental Health & Safety
College/Division: Vice President, Research
Account #(s): 1201-121-0809
Action Proposed: (check all that apply)
( ) New position: Proposed Range:
Proposed Title:
(X ) Title Change, Proposed Title: Safety Specialist (EH&S)
( ) Proposed Reassignment from Range
to Range
( ) 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.
____________________________________________________________
Immediate Supervisor’s Signature
__________________
Date
____________________________________________________________
Director/Chair/Dean
Stephanie Woolf
Director, Environmental Health & Safety
__________________
Date
Approved for Salary Placement Committee review.
____________________________________________________________
__________________
Pres / Vice Pres / Vice Prov Signature Marsha Read
Date
VP for Research & Dean, Graduate School
Action Approved by the Provost/President (Completed by Faculty HR):
67306 Range:
2
Pos #(s):
JCC:
EEO: 3A
Eff: 10/1/2012
Approved Title: Safety Specialist (EH&S)
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 - Safety Specialist
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 Safety Specialist develops and coordinates a wide variety of emergency planning materials,
which include but are not limited to, building safety plans, emergency egress maps, and Knox Box fire
department emergency information. The incumbent documents accidents and injuries to identify root
causes to improve programs and processes at the University of Nevada, Reno. The position reports
to the Manager, Emergency Information and Safety, in the Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S)
Office.
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% - Emergency Preparation
 Use GIS applications in conjunction with other campus information systems to develop and
maintain department and/or building/facility emergency plans (i.e., hazards and risks, facility
systems and utilities, incident response systems and resources, and response actions) for
each department, building or facility that is integrated with the building floor plans and ensure
consistency with higher level campus emergency plans
 Manage the development and implementation of plans through direct participation of
responsible departments and buildings, and coordinate planning efforts and information
provided by campus groups
 Create supporting information/documentation and provide to department heads and faculty
 Ensure plans are compatible with the overall University emergency plan and with expectations
of local authorities
 Consider and prioritize specific issues during planning, which may include but are not limited
to, life safety and emergency egress, fire detection and suppression systems, hazardous
materials, facility systems and utilities, specific workplace activities and operations, emergency
power needs and priorities, and business continuity
 Consider protection of the environment and University assets such as facilities, equipment and
instrumentation, and research materials
 Identify hazards and assess risks as they relate to emergency response planning
 Maintain all Knox Box information with current chemical inventory, faculty contact information,
and building plans
 Prepare, update, and post all Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Emergency Egress Maps on an as-needed basis
30% - Safety Training and Promotion
 Create awareness and facilitate meaningful participation in planning processes to ensure
success
 Provide training on safety plans and other emergency planning elements such as fire
extinguishers
 Conduct all required evacuation drills in conjunction with Fire & Life Safety, Police Services,
and/or the Reno Fire Department
30% - Accident/Injury Documentation
 Document accidents and injuries, analyze trends and recommend ways to prevent further
incidents, as requested.
 Document injury accidents through interviews and pictures, as requested
Position Description - Safety Specialist


Page 3
Identify the root cause of the accident and makes recommendations in the form of corrective
action options
Communicate recommendations in writing and provides follow-up to track resolutions
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 Safety Specialist works with the Emergency Information and Safety Manager within clearly
defined policies and procedures. The incumbent must exercise some independent judgment and
professional knowledge when developing emergency planning products, when performing inquiries
regarding the root causes of accidents/injuries, and when recommending corrective actions options to
injuries/accidents. The supervisor provides input in goal-setting and planning and is consulted for
resource needs and when situations require escalation to higher levels of authority.
Impact:
The Safety Specialist is responsible for supporting and coordinating the development of emergency
building plans and other emergency planning products at the department, building, or facility level
which will be locally effective as well as supportive during large scale events. Inadequate or
inappropriate plans may jeopardize human health and safety, as well as university assets and
resources. Planning decisions are critical in implementation of emergency building plans is to reduce
risk of injury and minimize loss of property and other assets. Documentation of injuries/accidents is
necessary to identify any root cause to accidents that can be communicated to EH&S, Facilities,
and/or Risk Management in order to reduce the University’s liability. Proper documentation of injuries
and near misses are crucial to protecting the institution and to provide lessons learned to employees
to potentially further reduce risks of injury.
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:
 Emergency planning and preparedness concepts
 EH&S organization and operations, particularly in a higher education setting
Skills:
 Strong computer software skills for data capture and creation of report products to include the
use of ESRI’s ArcGIS Desktop, MS Office, and a relational database software
 Effective coordination and verbal and written communication to develop essential products and
to manage their timely incorporation into department plans
 Customer relation skills for coordination of planning efforts especially in multi-resident facilities
Ability to:
 Document injuries/accidents and identify root causes to assist the institution in improving
programs and facilities
 Motivate departments and building occupants to actively participate in the planning process,
assist in the development of plans, and exercise of the plans
 Cultivate relationships with numerous departments on campus for various data collection and
other information
Position Description - Safety Specialist
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
Campus Administration
Campus Faculty, Staff &
Students
Emergency Response Groups
(Facilities, Risk Management,
Police Services, etc)
External
Regulatory Authorities
Community Emergency
Response Groups
Reason for Contact
To provide training and guidance, exchange of information,
provide guidance, and establish formal agreements
To provide formal training, education, and guidance
To exchange information, provide guidance, and facilitate
establishment of formal agreements, and coordinate safety
planning efforts in conjunction with the Emergency Information and
Safety Manager
Reason for Contact
To exchange information, provide guidance, and may facilitate
establishment of formal agreements in conjunction with the
Emergency Information Safety Manager
To exchange information, provide guidance, and may facilitate
establishment of formal agreements, and coordinate safety
planning efforts in conjunction with the Emergency Information
Safety Manager
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, or a Master’s Degree and one year, of experience in
the field of environmental health and safety
Preferred Licenses or Certifications: None
c.
Indicate any license or certificate required for this position.
None