Item 3.C- November 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/hr/compensation-and-evaluation for complete instructions.
Incumbent(s) Name (if applicable): Heather Penrod
Position #(s): 17660
Current Title: Coordinator, Writing and Activity
Current Range: 1
(JCC:67015;3A)
Department: Academic & Opportunity Support Svcs
College/Division: Enrollment Services /
Vice President, Student Services
Account #(s): 1320-105-1368; 1320-105-1370
Action Proposed: (check all that apply)
( ) New position: Proposed Range:
Proposed Title:
(X ) Title Change, Proposed Title: Specialist, Student Success
(X ) Proposed Reassignment from Range 1
to Range
2
( ) 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
Rita Escher
Director, Acad & Opp Spt Svcs
____________________________________________________________
Director/Chair/Dean
Fabienne McPhail Naples
Associate Vice President, Student Success Svcs
__________________
Date
__________________
Date
Approved for Salary Placement Committee review.
____________________________________________________________
Pres / Vice Pres / Vice Prov Signature Shannon Ellis
Vice President, Student Services
__________________
Date
Action Approved by the Provost/President (Completed by Faculty HR):
17660
67326 Range:
2
Pos #(s):
JCC:
EEO: 3A
Eff: 11/1/2012
Approved Title: Specialist, Student Success
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 – Specialist, Student success
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 Specialist, Student Success,, reports to the Director though the Assistant Directors of the TRiO
Scholars Program and the McNair Scholars Program, federally funded programs that serve lowincome and first-generation undergraduates. The TRiO Scholars Program provides academic support
to low-income, first-generation University of Nevada, Reno (University) students with an identified
academic need for support. The McNair Scholars Program serves University low-income, firstgeneration, and underrepresented students who wish to enter doctoral programs upon graduating
from the University The Coordinator is responsible for administering the program activities, providing
writing assistance/ instruction to students by hiring and supervising writing tutors, developing
publications for recruitment and public relations, and assessing the services offered.
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).
45% - Instruction
 Provide individual writing assistance for students in content courses
 Assist students with resumes, personal statements, graduate school applications, and other
services geared toward improving writing skills
 Help students prepare for the verbal section of the GRE
 Present workshops on focused topics related to written communication
 Assist students with any other service directly related to improving writing
 Develop curriculum for STEM sophomore McNair program
 Lead sophomore McNair seminars
20% - Public Relations / Publications
 Update and maintain website/social networking sites
 Publish Spring, Fall and Summer McNair Newsletters
 Coordinate the publication of the annual electronic McNair Journal
 Assist with TRiO Scholars annual report publication
 Develop recruitment materials for TRiO Scholars and McNair Scholars programs
 Assist with bi-weekly bulletin for TRiO Scholars
15% - Student Academic Development
 Monitor academic progress of assigned caseload of TRiO Scholars
 Provide academic referrals for tutoring and counseling
 Assist with providing financial literacy curriculum to assigned students
 Provide mid-term progress report meetings for assigned students
 Use information provided through People Soft and MapWorks to assist assigned students as
they progress through the University
 Assist with program orientation for assigned students
 Report progress including contact records to the director on a weekly basis
10% - Assessment
 Create/update electronic evaluation and survey documents to assess services
 Compile evaluation and survey documents into reports
 Provide assessment outcomes for all instructional activity related to position
 Maintain TRiO student calendar by publishing events and deadlines
Position Description – Specialist, Student success
Page 3
10% - Administration
 Recruit, train, and supervise writing tutors
 Maintain records for all individual student contact
 Assist with federal McNair annual report
 Plan calendar of events on campus for McNair students and track attendance at events
 Assist the McNair Assistant Director with coordinating speakers for the academic year pregraduate school seminars and McNair symposium and provide coordination of academic and
non-academic activities for the seven week summer academy
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 Specialist independently provides writing support based on his/her professional judgment. The
Specialist exercises independent judgment in recruiting, training, and supervising writing tutors. The
Specialist uses independent judgment to identify resources for an assigned caseload of students. In
addition, the Specialist has independent contact with academic faculty and administrative offices on
campus as needed to complete assigned job responsibilities. The Specialist has responsibility for
creating good will with external faculty, staff, and program personnel while carrying out job
responsibilities
Impact:
The Specialist is instrumental in assisting both programs in meeting their outcome objectives, thereby
maintaining federal funding for both grants. Writing support results in improved student performance.
Services provided to assigned students have the potential to positively impact student progress.
Student performance is directly related to both programs’ federally funded outcome objectives. If
students do not meet good academic standing, the federally funded programs are in danger of not
meeting performance standards, thus jeopardize future funding. A failure to act with good judgment
and professional expertise negatively impacts the programs in terms of collaborating with external
entities and in gaining needed support for the programs. In addition, the support services provided
through this position assists the programs and the university in meeting the retention and graduation
goals as described in university and program strategic plans.
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:
 Best practices in writing support for college students
 Publishing software and lay out conventions
 Academic and other support services available to students in a higher education environment
 Program assessment and evaluation
 Mission and purpose of federal TRiO programs including the TRiO Scholars Program (Student
Support Services) and the McNair Scholars Program
 Current issues related to the retention and graduation of low income, first generation, and other
underrepresented students
 Up-to-date information on financial literacy curriculum and financial aid regulations
 Current knowledge of academic advising requirements
 Knowledge of campus and community resources
Position Description – Specialist, Student success
Page 4
Skills:
 Proficiency in use of a personal computer and current software applications including but not
limited to Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and email) especially publication
software and bibliographic software related to content specific research documentation
 Strong interpersonal and customer service skills
 Effective verbal and written communication
 Event planning
 Planning seminars, workshops and group presentations
Ability to:
 Produce quality newsletters, recruitment materials, and other related publications
 Build rapport with students from diverse backgrounds
 Tutor students in writing across the curriculum
 Provide academic advising to a case load of assigned students
 Assist students with personal statements
 Contribute to a team approach to serving students
 Work independently
 Stay apprised of best practices in all areas of responsibility
 Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with faculty and other campus
personnel
 Maintain accurate student records
 Manage multiple projects
 Meet deadlines and complete tasks in a timely manner
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
Director
McNair Scholars Assistant
Director
TRiO Scholars Assistant
Director
Classified staff
Students
Writing tutors
External
Food Services
Scheduling Office
Digital Initiatives
Information technologies
Academic Faculty
Reason for Contact
To participate in staff meetings and consult about students
To consult about students; weekly meeting to discuss priorities
and receive assignments; to provide input on upcoming events; to
review needs for publications and web page
To consult about students; weekly meeting to discuss program
needs in regard to tutoring and web page; to provide assessment
updates in regard to program services
To consult on purchasing details
To provide direct student services in the area of writing support
and academic development
To provide support; train; evaluate
Reason for Contact
To coordinate meals for events
To coordinate smart classrooms for workshops and classes
To request information regarding publications
To request information regarding web page
To request/provide information to academic mentors regarding
McNair Scholars
Position Description – Specialist, Student success
@1 Publishing/printing services
Disability Resources
Honors Program
McNair Alumni
Page 5
To request information/assistance with publications
To request/provide information regarding students served
To recruit McNair Scholars
To provide tracking information on progress toward obtaining
graduate degrees
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 teaching writing or providing writing
assistance at the high school level or above or a Master’s Degree may be used for
experience required
Preferred Licenses or Certifications: None
c.
Indicate any license or certificate required for this position.
None