Item 8.A-October 10, 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
INSTRUCTIONS: See http://www.unr.edu/hr/compensation-and-evaluation for complete instructions.
Incumbent(s) Name (if applicable):
Position #(s):
Current Title:
Current Range:
(JCC: )
Department: Seismology Department (Nevada
College/Division: College of Science
Seismological Laboratory)
Account #(s): 0000-000-0000
Action Proposed: (check all that apply)
(X) New position: Proposed Range: 2
Proposed Title: Coordinator, Education and Outreach (NSL)
( ) Title Change, Proposed Title:
( ) Proposed Reassignment from Range
to Range
( ) Revised PDQ only (no change in range or title)
JCC (Current
( ) Line of Progression (show titles below)
or new HR
Range:
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
Graham Kent, Dir, NV Seis Lab
__________________
Date
____________________________________________________________
Director/Chair/Dean
Jeffrey S. Thompson, Dean, College of Science
__________________
Date
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:
Range:
EEO:
Eff:
Approved Title:
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 – Coordinator, Education and Outreach (Seismology)
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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 Coordinator, Education and Outreach, is located in the Nevada Seismological Laboratory (NSL)
at the University of Nevada, Reno. The Coordinator aids in the planning, development, and
implementation of a network of organizations involved with earthquake-related awareness and
emergency activities both within the University of Nevada, Reno and with various state and local
governments, granting agencies, national laboratories, and the other state, as well as national-level,
seismic monitoring networks. The position handles the communication of and management of the
budget needs for these activities led by the NSL. The Coordinator is responsible for organizing all
aspects of the “Great Nevada Shakeout” which is a statewide earthquake awareness drill held on the
3rd Thursday of October each year and other fire, flood, or other disaster-response educational
events. The position responds to community and K-12 school NSL tour requests and coordinates and
gives tours. The Coordinator handles public questions with regard to the NSL and disaster activities
and coordinates media response for news events and emergencies with support from the Director and
Associate Director. The Coordinator is expected to participate in live news events both in studio and
elsewhere. The position reports to the Director of the NSL.
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% - NSL Education Liaison
 Act as liaison and point of contact with state and federal agencies (e.g., Nevada Division of
Emergency Management (NDEM), Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP), and
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), etc.) to provide coordination of program or
information dissemination and to explain the grant budget system and its management
 Take the lead to strategically identify, cultivate, build, and strengthen a network of emergency
management response organizations, i.e., between the University and state agencies,
hospitals, casinos, businesses, schools, non-governmental organizations (NGO),
governmental entities (regarding earthquake and other disaster preparedness and response),
etc.
 Collaborate with hazard- and disaster-related agencies to determine needs assessment
 Continuously update, maintain, and advance necessary information and protocols for
distribution to various entities; seek improvements in efficiencies and outcomes
 Coordinate outreach and education on multi-hazards, i.e., earthquakes, floods, fires, etc.
30% - Event Development and Implementation
 Perform detailed event tasks statewide throughout the year for the annual Shakeout Program,
i.e., organize participants, contact schools, hospitals, casinos, and businesses, meet and
coordinate with public directors for major annual event, etc.
 Research emergency drill programs of other participating states in the Shakeout Program to
improve Nevada’s program (i.e., Utah, California, Washington, Alaska, etc.)
 Coordinate activities for the “Ark Storm” flood program from the U.S. Geological Survey
(USGS)
 Coordinate disaster response drills and encourage interaction of organizations in events
 Provide K-12 education and outreach; plan and coordinate school tours of the NSL and act as
tour guide; explore new outlets for community education such as hospitals, casinos, nursing
organizations, etc.
 Prepare and monitor communication with media for events
Position Description – Coordinator, Education and Outreach (Seismology)
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20% - Media Response Coordination
 In the event of a disaster (i.e., earthquake, flood, fire, etc.), act as point of contact with the
media and coordinate and provide for all production elements
 Sort and prioritize requests for emergency information from the media and assign requests to
NSL staff for handling; participate in media interviews on tv, radio, or other means of
communication
10% - Grant Development and Submission
 Research sources of funding and develop and write grant proposals related to emergency
management and outreach for the NSL
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 NSL serves as a first-response public safety component of the national and state emergency
management structure which requires 24/7 oversight for earthquake response and operations. The
network consists of an integrated remote seismograph network, digital microwave and
communications backbone, automatic national reporting/messaging software systems, and local
University Data Center facility (~$10M infrastructure). The Coordinator acts independently with regard
to planning education and outreach events and takes the overall lead in the Great Nevada ShakeOut
drill held each 3rd Thursday in October. The incumbent works closely with the Director and Associate
Director of NSL to direct resources for earthquake awareness and response programs throughout the
year and coordinates media responses with University Media Relations during significant earthquake
or other emergency events. The Coordinator interacts directly with ShakeOut program managers and
other similar education and outreach coordinators nationwide with some focus on nearby states. The
Coordinator consults with the Associate Director and Director on final approval of media responses
and program or budget changes within the grant.
Impact:
The success of the NSL is judged in two main ways: first, to maintain a reliable 24/7 seismic network
in Nevada and eastern California, responding to large earthquake events in an efficient manner and
relaying those results to local, state and federal agencies in a timely way; and, secondly, preparing
the citizens of Nevada and visitors to the state through both the annual “Drop, Cover and Hold On”
earthquake drill (i.e., ShakeOut) and other means to ensure a minimal loss of life, injury, and
economic damages for the outcome of generational events (large M6 and M7 earthquakes). The
Coordinator takes the lead on the latter component and strives to help build better relations between
agencies that will help ensure timeliness of delivery and communications for the aftermath of a large
earthquake. Failure to perform duties of the position could cause irreparable harm to individuals in the
community where emergency services are needed and to the reputation of the NSL 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:
 Technical terminology, language and jargon related to emergency response and management
 Seismology and earthquake terminology
 FEMA sponsored disaster response training
Position Description – Coordinator, Education and Outreach (Seismology)
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Program/project/event planning, development, coordination, and management
Grant writing and proposal submission
State and higher education budgeting processes
Budget development and management
Skills:
 Good verbal and written communication to include making presentations and networking
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) to include
science technology software
 Decision-making and problem-solving skills
 Interpersonal and human relations skills
 Organizational and time management skills
 Leadership and negotiation skills
Ability to:
 Communicate effectively with a variety of people and audiences
 Work with diverse populations and be sensitive to gender, disabilities, and cultural and ethnic
diversity issues
 Manage, prioritize, and complete multiple projects/tasks in an efficient and timely manner while
maintaining focus on organizational goals
 Maintain currency with knowledge of regulations and requirements of granting agencies
 Travel as necessary
 Maintain confidentiality of information
 Be creative and innovative in developing activities within the various programs making sure to
also stay within policies
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
Office of Sponsored Projects
Faculty and Administrators
Reason for Contact
To ensure compliance with grant requirements
To discuss and coordinate events
External
State agencies (NDEM, NDPS,
FEMA, etc.), Washoe County,
Cities of Reno, Sparks, and
Carson City
News and Radio Stations/Media
Reason for Contact
To coordinate education and outreach activities for “drop, cover,
hold on” drill; communicate responses to emergencies; submit
reports required by grants
Schools, hospitals, shelters,
businesses, community
organizations
To promote emergency preparedness programs and coordinate
activities
To coordinate and provide media coverage of educational events
and in response to emergencies in area
Position Description – Coordinator, Education and Outreach (Seismology)
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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, or Master’s Degree and one year, of experience in
coordination of disaster response activities and with a background in earth science,
seismology, or a related field
Preferred Licenses or Certifications: None
c.
Indicate any license or certificate required for this position.
None