Item 2.D-July 11, 2014
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
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Position #(s): Incumbent(s) Name (if applicable):
Current Title:
(JCC: )
Department: DUAL : Dean, College of Engineering
and Vice President, Research & Innovation
Account #(s): 1321-117-0059
Current Range:
College/Division: Office of Provost
Action Proposed: ( check all that apply )
(X) New position: Proposed Range: 5
Proposed Title: Technical Director, Nevada Advanced Autonomous
Systems Innovation Center
( ) Title Change, Proposed Title:
( ) 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
___________________________/_________________________________
Emmanuel Maragakis, Dean, Engrng / Mridul Gautam, VP, R&I
__________________
Date
__________________
Date
Director/Chair/Dean
Approved for Salary Placement Committee review
____________________________________________________________
Pres / Vice Pres / Vice Prov Signature
__________________
Stacy Burton, Vice Provost, Faculty Affairs Date
Action Approved by the Provost/President (Completed by Faculty HR):
Pos #(s): JCC: 67576 Range: 5 EEO: 7/1/2014
Approved Title: Technical Director, Nevada Advanced Autonomous Systems Innovation Ctr
Employee signs on “final” stamped approved PDQ and sends to HR for personnel file.
Employee Signature:_______________________________________________ __________________
Printed Name: ____________________________________________________
Date
Rev: 10/1/2012

Position Description – Technical Director, NV Adv. Autonomous Systems Innovation Ctr 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 Technical Director for the Nevada Advanced Autonomous Systems Innovation Center (NAASIC) has r esponsibility for development and management of NAASIC’s programs related to recruiting new research partners and seeking funding, and enhancing current technical relationships for work between the Center and University faculty and staff and the private sector with the goal of expanding economic development in our community and state. Responsibilities include but are not limited to coordinating and working with Center Thrust Area leaders, working with faculty and researchers, preparing proposals to industry as well as federal agencies, working with the NAASIC Business
Development Director to manage Center personnel, as well as identifying the technical needs of industry for the best interest of the Center and University. The Technical Director coordinates and works closely with the Business Development Director to improve the Center’s performance and meet the expectations of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development. The Technical Director is responsible for collecting program-related data and information related to the technical aspects of the
Center, as required by the University and Governor’s Office of Economic Development, and providing the information to the Center’s Business Development Director for reporting purposes. The position is physically located in the College of Engineering and reports to the Dean, College of Engineering and the Vice President, Research and Innovation.
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).
30% - Program Design

Design strategies to enhance the technical aspects of industry-university partnerships, technology transfer, and commercialization efforts that result in new major funded programs and that stimulate economic development

Develop, design, and conduct technical seminars and workshops for industry partners and affiliated university faculty

Assess opportunities for federal funding and put together interdisciplinary teams as needed to pursue this opportunities
 Support the design and implementation of the Center’s outreach activities
 Implement strategies for improving Center’s technical activities

Work with the Business Development Director, the Deans Council, the Principal
Investigator(s), and Vice President for Research Innovation to enhance the effectiveness of the Center’s activities and programs and attract new major funded programs and economic development opportunities

Develop and implement policies and procedures for effective and efficient operation of the
Center in coordination with the Business Development Director
30% - Program Coordination and Communication

Work closely with Business Development Director to foster positive public-private partnerships to address the needs of industry and to help create new economic development opportunities through applied research and technical activities

Act as point of contact for all Advanced Autonomous Systems and Advanced Manufacturing technical/research-related issues

Position Description – Technical Director, NV Adv. Autonomous Systems Innovation Ctr Page 3

Recruit new research partners, faculty, and industry partners to work with the Center that will generate funded programs; work with Center Business Development Director to recruit industry partners as needed to pursue major funded projects and economic development opportunities

Lead the efforts and pursue funding of new federal initiatives with private sector partners and faculty that will result in major federal grants, including, but not limited to, national centers of excellence

Identify and meet the technical needs of industry in areas supported by the Center and create economic development opportunities

Organize and manage technical/industry-related activities and training and coordinate visits and scheduling with industry partners

Work with the Business Development Director to coordinate with Nevada Industry Excellence
(NVIE) and other Center partners

Assist the Business Development Director in disseminating information describing the Center activities and accomplishments for public relations purposes in collaboration with Integrated
Marketing (IM)
15% - Administration

Supervise and monitor Center staff reporting to the position to ensure that the Center goals and contractual obligations are being met

Work closely with the Center Business Development Director to organize and coordinate
Center-related meetings and seminars; coordinate program review meetings

Plan and organize Center-related technical workshops and seminars; identify content and speakers
15% - Research and Service
• Develop, manage, and work on personal research projects
• Perform service related activities
10% - Reporting

Work closely with the Business Development Director to collect and assess program-related data and prepare reporting required by the Governor’s Office of Economic Development
(GOED) as well as any reporting requested by the University
 Manage the Center’s budget and work closely with the Business Development Director on budget-related issues

Report progress to the Project Principal Investigator and the Vice President for Research and
Innovation
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 NAASIC Technical Director is responsible for generating a greater collaboration in the development and growth of economic and interdisciplinary opportunities for University faculty and staff and with those interested individuals and organizations within our community and state. The Center’s activities aim to spur research, innovation, and commercialization, and advance innovation-based economic development in Nevada. The position conducts considerable outreach to identify interested parties and must be able to discuss and assess a myriad of innovative ideas and program designs and assist individuals with development of plans and proposals for new and continuing funding. The
Center focuses on creating unique industry-university partnerships (driven by industry needs and

Position Description – Technical Director, NV Adv. Autonomous Systems Innovation Ctr Page 4 regional and national priorities) that lead to commercialization of technologies in autonomous systems, including industrial robots, advanced manufacturing systems, unmanned aerial vehicles
(e.g., “drones”), driver-less road vehicles, and underwater robots. The Center is highly visible in the
State of Nevada and reports regularly to the Governor’s Office on Economic Development.
Decisions encompass assessing plans and ideas for development and moving forward those that will have the greatest impact on the community and state. The Technical Director discusses issues and consults with the Dean, Engineering, Vice President, Research and Innovation, and the Governor’s office on overall mission and goals of the Center. Final approval of plans is given by the Dean and
Vice President.
Impact:
The NAASIC is highly visible in the State of Nevada and reports regularly to the Governor’s Office on
Economic Development; therefore, the actions or inactions on the part of the Technical Director could affect the reputation and success of the Center and its activities in the College of Engineering, of the
University, and of the State of Nevada. Success of the Center is critical for developing new opportunities for economic growth in the state of Nevada.
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:

Creation of unique industry-university partnerships driven by industry needs and regional and national priorities that lead to commercialization of technologies in autonomous systems

Innovation based economic development

Identification of needs of industry

Assessment of economic impact of the Center and its activities to improve performance and meet expectations

Technology transfer and commercialization

Program development, implementation, and management

Proposal development and grant administration; familiarity with federal initiatives with private sector partners and faculty that result in major federal grants
Skills:

Program data collection and reporting to State, Federal, and other agencies/organizations

Strategic planning, design, and implementation of industry-university partnerships, technology transfer, and commercialization

Promotion of Center activities and accomplishments for public relations purposes

Supervision

Workshop and seminar development, organization, and promotion

Budget management
Ability to:

Write and implement policies and procedures for effective and efficient operation of the Center

Foster public-private partnerships to address needs of industry and create new economic development opportunities

Recruit new industry partners and affiliated faculty to generate funded programs

Pursue funding of new federal initiatives with private sector partners as well as independently depending on federal funding requirements

Manage community outreach activities

Position Description – Technical Director, NV Adv. Autonomous Systems Innovation Ctr 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
Nevada Industry Excellence
(NVIE)
Reason for Contact
To collaborate on projects and resources and to leverage NVIE’s existing contacts and infrastructure.
To assist in technology transfer and commercialization Nevada Small Business
Development Center
NAASIC Thrust Area Leaders and Technical Director
To assist in technology transfer and commercialization
University faculty and staff To collaborate on expanding economic development in our community and state
To coordinate proposal submission and grant administration Office of Sponsored Projects
External
Community organizations and businesses; economic development authorities
Governor’s Office of Economic
Development
Industry partners
Reason for Contact
To expand economic development in our community and state; to reach out and establish industry contacts, as well as identify the needs of industry for the best interest of the Center and University
To improve performance and meet the expectations of governor’s office on state projects; to prepare reports of progress
To assist in technology transfer and commercialization
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.
Doctoral 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.
Doctoral Degree and two years of research or industry experience
Preferred Licenses or Certifications: None c. Indicate any license or certificate required for this position.
Valid Nevada Dr iver’s license or ability to obtain one by the start of the appointment