Item 9.D-July 17, 2009
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):
Position #(s): 11029
Current Title: Specialist, Communications (COOP)
Current Range: 4
(JCC:77276;3C;CM8550;CC111;E)
Department: Cooperative Extension - Administration
College/Division Cooperative Extension
Account #(s): 1107-151-0001
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)
( ) 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 Karen Hinton
Dean/Director UNCE
____________________________________________________________
Director/Chair/Dean
Karen Hinton Dean/Director UNCE
__________________
Date
__________________
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 #:
EEO Code:
CUPA Code:
Job Class Code:
Exempt: Yes or No Census Code:
Range:
Effective Date:
Approved Title:
____________________________________________________________
__________________
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 - Specialist, Communications (COOP)
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 University of Nevada Cooperative Extension (UNCE) is the outreach college that extends
knowledge from the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) to the state’s citizens to address important
educational research issues. The Specialist, Communications, supports UNCE’s mission by providing
leadership and direction for its strategic image enhancement and accountability programs and by
developing and maintaining the most positive image of the organization and University to various
constituents. This includes the development, execution and evaluation of marketing, media relations,
community relations, electronic communications, and internal, campus, and statewide and national
communication programs. This position reports to the Dean/Director, UNCE and may supervise
Journalism interns and oversee projects with the assistance of Dean/Directors office staff and faculty
and staff throughout the state.
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% - Development, execution and evaluation of image enhancement materials and programs
including training of personnel
 Oversee and provide quality control for a wide array of communication and image
enhancement programs statewide, print, broadcast and electronic, which may be developed
by faculty, staff or volunteers and disseminated to a variety of clientele
 Design, develop and distribute high-quality, image-enhancing annual program reports, and
other collateral materials such as brochures, presentation folders and any other materials
which reflect educational and research program impacts and the breadth and depth of UNCE’s
programs
 Develop and distribute articles, news releases and public service announcement, targeted
toward various media, constituencies and audiences, and disseminate them directly to the
media, or through the University Communications department to the media
 Contribute articles on UNCE programs to University publications such as Silver and Blue,
Nevada Impacts, UNR Web site, President’s Report, Catalog, and any other publications,
reports and online sites
 Conduct training of UNCE personnel and/or volunteers, including new employees, on various
subjects which enhance the image of the organization and the quality of publications, materials
and media relations
 Lead statewide or regional marketing campaigns on particular UNCE projects, either in
collaboration with other UNCE faculty and staff, University professionals or professionals from
other agencies
 Provide communications expertise to the UNCE Administrative Team, and utilize the diverse
professional expertise of the ad hoc Image Enhancement Committee, when needed
20% - Development, execution and evaluation of relationship-building meetings, tours and
other events and activities
 Coordinate twice-yearly meetings of the statewide UNCE citizens Advisory Committee, and
important group of stakeholders, friends and supporters, including planning , organizing and
finalizing the agenda and participants
Position Description - Specialist, Communications (COOP)




Page 3
Coordinate introductory meetings, between UNCE faculty and administrators and University
campus department faculty, planting seeds for collaboration between UNCE and other
colleges, departments, students and institutions
Plan and execute any special tours of UNCE educational programs or research sites for local,
regional or national constituents, or tours of UNCE offices, which may include University
administrators and/or local community members
Plan and conduct or assist with the planning and promotion of special meetings, events or
activities which target and/or influence a particular audience, for example, a 4-H reunion for
alumni or a booth at a conference
Design and develop high –quality display and exhibit materials, including graphic materials
which depict UNCE’s educational and research activities, targeted toward multiple audiences;
attend appropriate conventions and fairs to highlight UNCE programs
20% - Development, execution and distribution of program impact materials
 Prepare and distribute and/or post online Impact Statement pieces, based on yearly online
faculty reports and other updates, which are utilized for the annual federal report, the national
CSREES Impact database, the UNCE Web site, packets and any and all other uses
 Prepare and distribute and/or post online Program Listings, based on yearly online faculty
reports and other updates, which are utilized for the UNCE Web site, packets and other
request for accountability during the year
 Respond to request for UNCE program impacts, from the University or other sources, for
various programs, reports or listings
 Prepare applications for inclusion of UNCE programs in national Programs of Excellence,
Programs of Distinction, faculty honors awards, or other such program, team or individual
recognition opportunities
 Prepare PowerPoint presentations for use in any of the meetings or events mentioned above
or any other meetings, containing visual slides which enumerate program impacts
 Assist the Dean/Director in the preparation of UNCE’s yearly Strategic Plan document,
including collecting data on UNCE performance indicators, such as print and broadcast
numbers and their dollar equivalent, Web site usage, videoconference usage, publication
numbers and other data that may be requested
20% - Supervision of the direction, design, development and maintenance of UNCE Web site
 Supervise and provide quality control for the approximately 3,000-page UNCE Web site,
including area sites and new county sites, the employee support site, calendar, all other
pages, and any new sections and pages
 Establish Web-related policies and procedures with input from other UNCE employees and
pertinent individuals
 Prepare and supervise the posting of the bi-monthly UNCE electronic newsletter
 Supervise the updating of the publications database and the faculty expertise database
 Review approximately 100 new publications annually and supervise the numbering,
cataloging, posting online and distribution of publications and other materials
 Oversee the UNCE Publications Guidelines, and update the Publications Procedures when
necessary
 Participate in any needed coordination with the national e-Extension Web-based project, serve
as a member of Nevada’s institutional team and promote new and expanded features of
extension
Position Description - Specialist, Communications (COOP)
Page 4
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.
UNCE’s educational reach is sometimes limited by a lack of name recognition and/or a lack of
understanding of the breadth and depth of its program offerings, particularly in Nevada communities
that experience high transiency rates and in diverse urban centers with growing populations. The
decisions and judgments made by the UNCE Specialist impact the reliability and timeliness of a wide
variety of information and data published and disseminated about UNCE. These materials have a
direct impact on the image, reputation and credibility of UNCE and its ability to meet its educational
and research mission. Individual must be flexible, take initiative and work independently with little
direct supervision and with considerable latitude for initiative and independent judgment. Negative
perceptions of UNCE could result in reduced funding, political support or volunteers, on a local,
statewide or national level. UNCE is the bedrock of the University’s historical land-grant mission of
collaborative educational and outreach to the state’s citizens. Achieving public awareness and
appreciation of UNCE translates to a positive image of the University as a whole, which could include
enhanced student enrollment, financial support, political support and respect for the institution.
Because UNCE has a presence in all Nevada counties, this position is uniquely connected with the
University’s ability to archive integrated marketing of its educational and research programs and
impacts throughout the state.
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:
 Communications, marketing, public relations, media relations and/or community relations
 Higher education and/or Cooperative Extension organization setting
Skills:







Leadership and administrative capabilities
Strong oral and written communication
Strong organizational and time management skills
Proficiency in use of a personal computer and current software applications including but not
limited to:
o Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Access, Excel, PowerPoint, and email)
o Graphics design software
Analytical, decision-making and problem-solving skills
High level of interpersonal and human relations skills
Supervisory skills, including an ability to teach and mentor staff and to achieve both results
and client satisfaction
Ability to:
 Work effectively with faculty, staff, administrators, colleagues, the general public and a diverse
array of people of all social, educational and economic levels
 Relate to and influence a wide range of people, including professionals, volunteers, community
leaders, business leaders and elected officials-adults as well as youth
 Maintain confidentiality of sensitive information
 Research issues/situations, develop and provide solutions, make appropriate decisions, and
implement solutions; bring concerns to management
Position Description - Specialist, Communications (COOP)







Page 5
Manage, supervise, and develop staff, interns, and volunteers with coordination of work efforts
to maintain required level to perform and to achieve unit and university goals
Work independently and as a collaborative team leader
Manage and assess goals and objectives of staff’s program and/or work
Be self-motivated and self-directed
Manage, prioritize, and complete multiple projects/tasks in an efficient and timely manner while
maintaining focus on organizational goals
Provide leadership for a broad range of functions
Travel 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
UNCE Dean/Director
UNCE Administrative Team
UNCE Faculty, staff, volunteers
and clientele (ranchers, 4-H
youth businesspeople or
professionals from other
organizations or agencies)
Reason for Contact
To plan and execute all communication programs, activities and
projects
To collaborate with or coordinate communication projects with the
Assistant Director, area Chairs, Fiscal/Human Resources Officer,
Information Technology Officer, State 4-H Youth Development
Specialist and 4-H Activities and Events Manager.
To produce image enhancement materials and activities
mentioned above and to acquire accurate and up-to-date
information about educational and research programs
University Communications
To assist in the planning or marketing strategies, activities and
publications; promote collaboration and teamwork with UNCE’s
staff and with the University Communications so that integrated
marketing of the University can be achieved
External
Communicators from other
organizations and agencies,
elected officials, local community
leaders and the media
Reason for Contact
To represent UNCE in a multitude of settings on and off campus in
which there are opportunities to influence other University
administrators and faculty, elected officials, local community
leaders and the media; to develop and maintain the most positive
image of the organization and University
To develop and maintain the most positive image of the
organization and University
National Cooperative State
Research, Education and
Extension Service (CREES)
Position Description - Specialist, Communications (COOP)
Page 6
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 with emphasis in journalism,
English, communications, public relations, marketing, or other related field
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 five years or a Master’s Degree and three years of work
experience in journalism, English, communications, public relations, marketing, or
related field to include at least one year in a project leadership role
Preferred Licenses or Certificates: None
c.
Indicate any license or certificate required for this position.
None