Item 2.D-December 2, 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): New
Current Title:
Current Range:
Department: Seismology Laboratory / MSESE
College/Division: College of Science
Account #(s): 1320-114-11ER; -11GA
Action Proposed: (check all that apply)
( ) New position: Proposed Range:
Proposed Title:
( ) Title Change, Proposed Title:
( ) Proposed Reassignment from Range
to Range
( ) Revised PDQ only (no change in range or title)
( X) Line of Progression (show titles below)
Programmer, Seismic Data Center (3J;CM5501;CC101)
Programmer/Analyst, Seismic Data Center (3J;CM5502;CC101)
Range:
2
3
JCC (Current
or new HR
assigned):
67151
67152
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.
____________________________________________________________
Gabe Plank, Mgr, Seismic Data Center/ Kenneth Smith, Mgr, Seismic NW
Immediate Supervisor’s Signature
____________________________________________________________
Graham Kent, Prof/Director, Seismology Lab / Jeff Thompson
Director/Chair/Dean
Dean, College of Science
__________________
Date
__________________
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 #:
EEO Code: 3J
CUPA Code: CM
Exempt: Yes or No Census Code: 101
Job Class Code:
Range:
Effective Date: 12/1/2011
Approved Title:
____________________________________________________________
__________________
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 – Programmer/Analyst, Seismic Network
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 Nevada Seismological Laboratory (NSL) is a research organization within the College of Science
at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR). NSL operates the Nevada Seismic Network and carries
responsibilities for 24/7 monitoring of seismicity within Nevada and eastern California. NSL maintains
data center facilities for the seismic network and for a number of academic, governmental, and
industrial institutions. These software systems support a wide range of capabilities, including,
acquisition of seismic and other environmental data, earthquake notification to federal and state
agencies, scientific analyses, systems control and monitoring, data storage, and the distribution of
information to a wide variety of users.
Range 2:
The Programmer, Seismic Data Center, organizes and maintains geophysical data at NSL. This
includes developing, maintaining, and improving processes and software systems critical to the
collection and archival of large geophysical data sets. The incumbent supports the link between the
data environment and the needs of research teams which includes developing and maintaining
systems for distributing and utilizing geophysical data, as well as regular interaction with system
analysts, seismic network technical personnel, research scientists, students, and administrators. The
incumbent establishes proficiency in the configuration and maintenance of servers and operating
systems.
Range 3:
The Programmer/Analyst has additional data management responsibilities and a greater role in the
operations of the real time data collections systems. The position develops and maintains custom
programs for real time data analysis and establishes an understanding of the scientific uses of the
data. The Programmer/Analyst creates coding and provides maintenance of website programs and
other real-time data distribution systems and designs and archives databases to accommodate a
broader set of data types. Incumbent must provide software development with greater reliability,
adequacy to achieve objectives, and flexibility of performance. The individual must specify and
acquire new hardware to meet operational needs, administrate user accounts, networking software,
and backup systems, and address computer security needs.
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).
Range 2 - Programmer:
70% - Data Management for Geophysical Data Sets
 Process and archive seismic and geophysical data collected and submitted to NSL.
 Process, archive, QC, and organize data sets currently maintained at the NSL data center.
 Establish proficiency with seismic tools, such as Antelope, SAC, IRIS, and PASSCAL utilities.
 Establish familiarity with geophysical file formats.
15% - Maintenance of Data Distribution Systems
 Monitor data distribution systems, including NSL website and other public information systems
 Support the critical link between the data environment and the needs of the research team
15% - Data Center System Maintenance
 Configure and maintain server hardware systems for data storage and processing needs.
Position Description – Programmer/Analyst, Seismic Network


Page 3
Interact with computer system analysts/administrators, seismic network technical personnel,
and research scientists
Provide computer systems support as necessary to achieve NSL objectives
Range 3 – Programmer/Analyst (in addition to R2 duties above):
40% - Data Management for Geophysical Data Sets
 Oversee data management and play a greater role in the operations of the real time data
collections systems
 Develop and maintain custom programs for real time data analysis
 Establish understanding of the scientific uses of the data
40% - Development and Maintenance of Data Distribution Systems
 Create coding and provide maintenance of website programs and other real-time data
distribution systems
 Design and archive databases to accommodate a broader set of data types
 Provide software development with greater reliability, adequacy to achieve objectives,
flexibility of performance
20% - Data Center System Administration
 Specify and acquire new hardware to meet operational needs
 Administrate user accounts, networking software, and backup systems
 Address computer security needs
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:
Range 2:
The Programmer is responsible for monitoring the quality and correctness of geophysical data sets in
the NSL archive. Priorities for data center improvements will be set in collaboration with the Principal
Investigators (PI) of network operation contracts, and the Director and Associate Director of NSL.
Range 3 (in addition to the above):
The Programmer/Analyst carries these responsibilities and gains more autonomy for achieving goals,
and additionally is responsible for the quality and correctness of software and systems.
The positions report directly to the Manager, NSL Data Center.
Impact:
Range 2 and 3:
Development and maintenance of the NSL data center archives need to be carefully tested before
being presented to the wider geophysical community. Poorly performing software and inaccurate data
can reflect poorly on NSL and on the University as a whole. If software fails to work under the stress
of a significant earthquake, with societal consequences, or contains errors, the failures in the
automatic posting to the internet could be propagated worldwide to the embarrassment of UNR and
the NSL and its credibility. As a key member of U.S. Geological Survey’s Advanced National Seismic
System (ANSS), covering some of the most seismically active areas of the western US, NSL software
applications are a key component to 24/7 national seismic network operations. Information derived
from the NSL network, can reach the highest levels of government within minutes of a damaging
earthquake.
Position Description – Programmer/Analyst, Seismic Network
Page 4
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:
Range 2:
 Hardware and software used in Unix-based computer systems.
 The PERL scripting language is preferred, however proficiency in other modern scripting
languages such as PHP, PYTHON, and/or JAVA is beneficial.
 The Linux/MacOS or other UNIX-type operating system environments.
 Project development in the C or C++ programming language.
 Familiarity with website maintenance using Apache/MySql/PHP.
 Professional programming approaches that assure essentially 100% reliability of systems and
components.
 Software quality control and documentation practices
Range 3 (in addition to range 2 above):
 Methods of troubleshooting and fixing systems in a complex environment (systems analysis)
 Proficiency with PERL and the Linux/MacOS operating environments
 Version control systems
 Methods of operation of real time data collection systems
Skills:
Range 2:
 Effective interpersonal communications skills necessary to interact with research scientists
and other IT professionals, both on and off campus, to address complex problems in a
conceptual framework
 Organizational skills necessary to work within a grant- and federally-funded environment
 Dedication to quality service as a work philosophy and skill in devising methods to assure
quality in all products developed and supported
Range 3 (in addition to range 2 above):
 Public speaking, scientific writing, and methodical problem solving techniques
Ability to:
Range 2:
 Transfer technical knowledge to staff in order to improve overall capabilities of the organization
 Devise and implement solutions to data management challenges
 Demonstrate an attitude of personal initiative and take responsibility for performance
 Take independent initiative within a team environment
 Adapt to priorities and apply sound judgment in solving data management and data processing
problems to meet seismic network operations goals
 Analyze/troubleshoot complex hardware or software problems that may be intermittent or have
a non-definitive cause
 Find innovative ways of dealing with or working around a problem when there isn’t a definitive
solution or fix
 Support the efficient utilization of large geophysical data sets within a research environment
 Be flexible and work independently under minimal supervision, given broad guidance in the
common goals for improvements in seismic network operations
Range 3 (in addition to range 2 above):
 Write reports and create presentations centered on current projects, and present them without
supervision
Position Description – Programmer/Analyst, Seismic Network
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
R 2 – Programmer
NSL and network scientists and
Seismology staff
All users
R 3 – Programmer/Analyst
Students
External
R 2 – Programmer
National Seismic Network
Operators
R 3 – Programmer/Analyst
National and international
community
Reason for Contact
To work with and understand project needs and priorities as well
as work flow and requirements for software improvements; to
support critical link between data environment and needs of team;
to analyze work flow, develop requirements for improved
applications, and help set priorities and goals
To communicate effectively principles and functions of software
applications to all users
To collaborate and work on projects
Reason for Contact
To effectively interact with and understand nation-wide seismic
network professional engaged in seismic network operations
software and to adapt and integrate appropriate solutions within
NSL systems
To function within the national and international seismic network
community; provide and share information
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.
Range 2 and Range 3:
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.
Range 2:
Bachelors Degree and two years relevant experience or Master’s Degree and one
year relevant experience
Range 3:
Bachelors Degree and four years or Master’s Degree and two years with relevant
experience or a PhD
Preferred Licenses or Certifications: None
c.
Indicate any license or certificate required for this position.
None