Item 9.B-March 4, 2011
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): 10203
Current Title: Director, Laboratories
Current Range: 4
(JCC:76913;3B;CM9509;CC172;E)
Department: Chemistry Department
College/Division: College of Science
Account #(s): 1101-114-2438
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.
_______________________________/_____________________________
Vincent Catalano, Chair, Chemistry / Regina Tempel, Assoc Dean, COS
Immediate Supervisor’s Signature
__________________
Date
____________________________________________________________
Director/Chair/Dean
Jeffrey Thompson
Dean, College of Science
__________________
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 #: 10203
EEO Code: 3B
CUPA Code: CM9509
Exempt: Yes or No Census Code: 172
Job Class Code: 76913
Range: 4
Effective Date:
Approved Title:
DIRECTOR, LABORATORIES
____________________________________________________________
__________________
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 – Director, Laboratories
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 Director of Laboratories oversees the laboratory facilities for the Department of Chemistry in the
College of Science at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR). The Director plans, coordinates, and
implements the logistics needed for the operation of both instructional and research laboratories,
administers departmental operating budgets for laboratory operation and maintenance, and oversees
departmental research and instructional operating expenditures. The incumbent helps plan long range
building space needs and administers all phases of building and personnel safety and security. The
Director supervises the departmental technical staff (State classified and student workers) and is
responsible for coordinating laboratory and classroom room scheduling. The Director reports to the
Chair, Chemistry Department.
Facilities of the Chemistry Department include but are not limited to the instructional and research
laboratories, scientific glass-blowing shop, machine shop (shared with Physics Department), an
electronic design and repair shop, two instructional support supply rooms, a research laboratory
supply center and miscellaneous offices, conference and storage rooms and the undergraduate
chemistry laboratories contained within the Davidson Math and Science complex.
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% - Facilities Management
 Manage the general physical facilities of the Chemistry Department including planning and
operation of facilities, security of the building and laboratories, financial planning and
budgeting related to facilities and laboratory operations, planning and coordination of
renovation and maintenance of facilities, and long-range planning of space and facilities
requirements
 Provide instructions to contractors and maintain and manage project schedules
 Act as liaison with all facilities and infrastructure-related units on campus, including Facilities
Operations, Buildings and Grounds, Heat Plant, Computing and Telecommunications,
Information Technology, and Teaching and Learning Technologies.
25% - Facilities Safety
 As departmental Safety Officer (in cooperation with the Chair and faculty), formulate and
implement safety procedures and practices in the Chemistry Department including the
administration of the Chemical Hygiene Plan, the Hazardous Materials and Hazardous Water
Disposal Programs, the Emergency Response Plan, the Student Safety Policy, and other
policy and procedures for the safe and legal operation of the department.
 Maintain Standard Operating Procedures for departmental storerooms and laboratories.
 Assist with and review Standard Operating Procedures for research labs.
 Coordinate periodic safety inspections and coordinate and/or conduct safety training of student
and staff.
 Handle emergencies, accidents, and spills; be on call after hours for building and safety
emergencies.
10% - Administrative Operations
 Complete miscellaneous administrative duties, including reporting on operations and facilities
to the Chair and Chemistry faculty
Position Description – Director, Laboratories

Page 3
Serve on departmental committees, including the Safety and Services Committee, the
Scheduling Committee, and other committees as assigned by the Chair; on College of Science
committees representing the department on facilities and safety issues; and on University
Committees.
5% - Equipment/Supplies Purchasing
 Assist in the purchasing of departmental laboratory supplies, instrumentation, and equipment.
For the research and instructional chemical stockrooms, supervise inventory management
including normal inventory and storeroom procedures such as the purchasing, receiving, and
sales of chemical supplies and equipment.
 Oversee the chemical inventory system and train students and staff on its use.
5% - Staff Supervision
 Supervise and evaluate all technical classified staff in the department and indirectly supervise
the student workers or casual laborers supervised by those technical staff. (Director
supervises, one Staff Professional Engineer, one Scientific Glass Apparatus Specialist, one
Developmental Technician II (machinist), and three Staff Research Associates (research and
instructional stockroom supervisors).
5% - Class Scheduling and Room Assignment
 Prepare class scheduling and room assignment for all instructional and laboratory programs,
including the AP Chemistry laboratory Program
 Act as liaison with Student Enrollment Services
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 Director has oversight of departmental operations and expenditures of the Chemistry
laboratories, including purchasing of major equipment and logistical scheduling of the facilities. The
Director makes contributions and recommendations for long-range facilities operations, budgeting,
and strategic planning to the Chair.
The Director is responsible for administering and ensuring compliance with Federal, state, and county
Office of Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) laws
and regulations for laboratory safety, hazardous materials, and security programs for the facilities.
The position has a high interaction with faculty through course planning and laboratory scheduling.
The Director hires and supervises technical staff in facility operations and has a high interaction with
faculty, staff, students, visitors, and the public as well as participation on various committees on
campus.
Impact:
Careful oversight of departmental operations and expenditures is of vital importance in maintaining
the high cost effectiveness of all phases of the department's operations. Careful planning and
judicious purchasing of major equipment provide significant savings in using funds provided by the
college and the university. Competent facilities management reduces operating and maintenance cost
which are paid for by the university. The decisions and judgments made regarding facilities
management and logistics are vital to the successful completion of these projects.
Position Description – Director, Laboratories
Page 4
Administering the safety, hazardous materials, and security programs benefits both the department
and the university by ensuring that building operations comply with Federal, state, and county OSHA
and EPA laws and regulations. Violation of these regulations could result in large fines. Good safety
practices save the university money by helping prevent costly lost time accidents. Accidents due to
unsafe conditions could lead to liabilities. A well-run Hazardous Materials and Hazardous Waste
Program saves money for the university by reducing the cost of disposing chemical waste and by
reducing the amount of new chemicals needed for instruction and research.
Well-planned course scheduling allows the maximum numbers of students to fit chemistry courses
into their semester schedules. Faculty time is also optimized by organized planning.
Through interactions with customers, the volume and accuracy of work are enhanced, creating a
strong positive image of the department, college and university.
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:
 Chemical safety management
 Wide though not detailed knowledge of chemistry
 Management of facilities and technical staff
 Budget development and management
 Higher education policies and procedures
 Chemical and laboratory safety and hazardous materials procedures and federal, state, and
county laws and regulations
 General building and construction requirements for renovations in a laboratory environment
 Human resource policies and practices as they relate to work performance, safety standards
and discipline
Skills:
 Strong written and verbal communication
 Application of math skills to accounting, budgeting, and technical problems
 Proficiency in use of a personal computer and current software applications including but not
limited to Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Access, Excel, PowerPoint, and email) and specifically
with stand-alone and university databases
 Analytical, decision-making, and problem-solving skills
 Interpersonal and human relations skills
 Supervisory skills, including an ability to teach and mentor staff
Ability to:
 Deal successfully with people on all levels
 Manage a complex research and instructional laboratory operation in an academic setting,
with diverse constituencies
 Manage, prioritize, and complete multiple projects/tasks in an efficient and timely manner while
maintaining focus on organizational goals
 Negotiate with administrative and facilities units and external agencies
 Be sensitive to disabilities and cultural and ethnic diversity issues
 Manage resources effectively and efficiently
 Be flexible to work after hours or on weekends when needed
Position Description – Director, Laboratories
Page 5
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
Chair, Chemistry Department
Department Classified staff and
student workers
Department faculty
General and organic Chemistry
Lab Coordinators
Facilities Management
Faculty and staff of other
departments
Facilities Operations
Information Technology,
Computing and
Telecommunications, Teaching
and Learning Technologies
Environmental Health and Safety
Administrative and classified
staff
Student Services, especially
Student Enrollment Services
Graduate students,
po0stdoctoral research
associates and research faculty
Undergraduate students
Students, faculty, and staff
External
City of Reno
Washoe County school
administrators, school principals,
high school instructors, and
faculty
Various universities and
governmental agencies in U.S
and foreign universities
Vendors
General public
Reason for Contact
To report to and work closely with laboratory activities and
planning
To supervise and evaluate work performed
To plan class schedules, advise and assist with general operations
To manage the operations of the instructional laboratories and
dispensing stockrooms
To act as departmental liaison for services such as facilities
remodeling and in the logistics arising from academic research
considerations
To provide services, information and consulting regarding
laboratory problems
To act as a consultant in matters pertaining to chemistry, chemical
safety, hazardous materials handling and hazardous wastes; to
coordinate and work on all remodeling, renovation and planning
for future needs of building space
To coordinate maintenance, installation, and repair requests
associated with those respective areas
To coordinate on safety and hazardous materials issues with
laboratory users
To coordinate clerical and accounting support in the
implementation of duties
To coordinate and resolve class and laboratory scheduling issues
To coordinate maintenance services and resolve problems related
to safety, facilities issues, or research stockroom services
To handle and report accidents and resolve facilities or service
problems related to the instructional stockrooms and laboratories
To coordinate safety training
Reason for Contact
To discuss and resolve sewer discharge and air quality pollution
issues
To coordinate the Advance Placement Chemistry Program.
To provide and receive information and services
To negotiate quotes or bids for departmental purchases in
conjunction with Purchasing Office
To provide answers to inquiries about departmental services
Position Description – Director, Laboratories
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 or major in
chemistry
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 or higher degree with three
years of experience in an academic, industrial, governmental scientific laboratory
environment, including management or staff supervision
Preferred Licenses or Certifications: None
c.
Indicate any license or certificate required for this position.
None