Item 9.B-Sep. 17, 2010
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): Diane DePolo
Position #(s): 11414
Current Title: Network Seismologist
Current Range: 2
(JCC:77102;3B;CM5550;CC193;E)
Department: Seismological Laboratory
College/Division: College of Science
Account #(s): 1104-114-1001;1320-114-11GA;1320-114-11ER
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 Kenneth Smith, Manager, Siesmic Network
Date
_________________________________ / ___________________________
Graham Kent, Dir, NV Seismology Lab / Jeffrey Thompson, Dean, COS
Director/Chair/Dean
__________________
Date
Approved for Salary Placement Committee review.
____________________________________________________________
__________________
Pres / Vice Pres / Vice Prov Signature Jannet Vreeland
Date
Vice Provost & Secretary of University
Action Approved by the President (Completed by Faculty HR):
Position #: 11414
EEO Code: 3J
CUPA Code: CM5550
Exempt: Yes or No Census Code: 193
Job Class Code: 77102
Range: 2
Effective Date: 9/1/2010
Approved Title:
NETWORK SEISMOLOGIST
____________________________________________________________
__________________
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 – Network Seismologist
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 Network Seismologist supervises the seismic network analysis done in the Seismology
Laboratory at the University of Nevada, Reno, (UNR) by overseeing daily operation, training others,
interacting with and providing data to interested professionals and lay people, updating and improving
the seismic database, and assisting in the development and documentation of the network analysis
and research projects. The individual provides presentations on earthquake activity and earthquake
preparedness, gives tours of the Seismological Laboratory and coordinates outreach activities of the
Lab. The position reports to the Seismic Network Manager.
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% - Staff Management
 Supervise, review, and check work of seismic analysts; assure earthquake catalog is current
 Review station performance and report station outages and potenial pro
30% - Seismic Database Management
 Manage the computer-based seismic database related to current earthquake catalog and
seismograph station configurations
 Document processes to update and maintain seismic database for new station installations
15% - Outreach Activities and Tours

Respond to requests tours and presentations and coordinate public tours of the Seismology
Lab

Co-chair of Education and Outreach Committee of the Nevada Earthquake Safety Council
for seismic safety in Nevada K12, local businesses, and the general public
10% - Public and Media Response
 Contribute to proposals and technical reports involving the seismic network
 Respond to requests for data, information, general inquires
 Respond to media requests for up-to-date earthquake information
 Be on call with other members of the Seismic Network Staff for response to potentially
damaging earthquakes in Nevada and eastern California
5% - Training
 Train students in the use of seismic data analysis programs
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:
Duties are performed with only a minimal direction from a Research Seismologist or Seismic Network
Manager.
Position Description – Network Seismologist
Page 3
Impact:
The smooth operation of network analysis is essential to the operation of the Seismological
Laboratory. Data collected from the network is used in most of the research projects carried out by the
seismologists. Grants from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and others depend directly upon the
data collected by the network. The reputation of the Seismological Laboratory with the seismic
community and the lay public is dependent upon a timely and complete database. As the person most
directly in contact with the day-to-day operations, decisions and judgments made by the Network
Seismologist directly affect the data quality and the ability of the Seismological laboratory to bring
grants to the 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:
 Earthquake seismology, tectonics and seismic analysis, specifically involving the Basin and
Range
Skills:
 Computer operations and management of data and database
 Excellent verbal and written communication
 Detail oriented
Ability to:
 Write clearly and concisely for a technical audience
 Interact with and communicate effectively with a wide variety of people, including reporters and
interested laypeople as well as technicians and scientists
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
Seismic analysts and technicians
Research Seismologist and other
scientists (inside and outside
laboratory)
Reason for Contact
To discuss and resolve problems with seismic stations
To discuss network development and research ideas involving
seismic data
External
Public
Reason for Contact
To give tours of the seismological laboratory or earthquake
presentations to groups
To answer requests for information about earthquake activities and
earthquake hazards
To provide seismic data/information
Reporters/media
Scientists and other professionals
outside UNR
Position Description – Network Seismologist
Page 4
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
geophysics
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
seismic analysis or other earthquake seismology
Preferred Licenses or Certifications: None
c.
Indicate any license or certificate required for this position.
None