The Job Description
Job title | The formal title of the position |
Reports to | The title of the position that the job incumbent reports to |
Salary Range | The salary range for the position. (Optional) |
Job Description Summary
Provide a brief description of the main points of the job description, which may include key responsibilities, functions, and duties; education and experience requirements; and any other pertinent information (i.e. scheduling requirements, travel, etc.).
Duties and responsibilities
The duties and responsibilities section is the foundation of the Job Description. It conveys the complexity, scope, and level of responsibility of a job. It is important to accurately, concisely, and completely describe the duties and responsibilities of a job. List the primary job duties and responsibilities using headings and then give examples of the types of activities under each heading. Using headings and giving examples of the types of activities to be done allows you to develop a flexible job description that encourages employee to ‘work outside the box’ and within reason, discourages “that’s not my job”.
Identify primary duties and responsibilities for the position
List the primary duties and responsibilities in order of importance
Begin each statement with an action verb (view a list of action verbs on Page 3)
Use the present tense of verbs
Use gender neutral language such as “s/he” or “the incumbent”
Use generic language such a photocopy instead of Xerox
Where appropriate use qualifiers to clarify the task – where, when, why or how often – for example instead of “greet visitor to the office” use “greet visitors to the office in a professional and friendly manner”
Avoid words that are open to interpretation – for example instead of “handle incoming mail” use “sort and distribute incoming mail”
Think of the job in terms of its key accountabilities, or main responsibilities/functions. Typically, a job will have 3-4 major key accountabilities. Here are some examples:
Human Resources Management
Executive Support
Event Coordination
After establishing the key accountabilities, generate specific job duties associated with each. There are the individual tasks or duties that correspond to the key accountability. For example, specific Human Resources Management duties might include:
Responsible for partnering with senior diversity team advisors and network chairs to manage Employee Networking Groups
Coordinate, plan, and attend diversity presentations, receptions, and career fairs
Multitask as a Firm representative assisting both attendees & representatives at events
Manage reporting, budgeting and tracking of initiatives
Provide support for the Group’s communications efforts including managing internal and external websites and other collateral
Manage survey application process
Conduct benchmarking and research
Qualifications
State the minimum qualifications required to successfully perform the job. These are the qualifications that are necessary for someone to be considered for the position. The assignment of this section should be completed by the supervisor, hiring manager, or departmental administrator, and, should be reflective of the general responsibility level of that position.
Additionally, all qualifications must comply with provincial (local, regional county, district, etc.) human rights legislation.
Qualifications include:
Education
Specialized knowledge
Skills
Abilities
Other characteristics such as personal characteristics
Language skills
Professional Certification/Licensure
Experience
Working conditions
If the job requires a person to work in special working conditions this should be stated in the job description. Special working conditions cover a range of circumstances from regular evening and weekend work, shift work, working outdoors, working with challenging clients, and so forth.
Physical requirements
If the job is physically demanding, this should be stated in the job description. A physically demanding job is one where the incumbent is required to stand for extended periods of time, lift heavy objects on a regular basis, do repetitive tasks with few breaks, and so forth.
Direct reports
List by job title any positions to be supervised by the incumbent.
Approved by: | Signature of the person with the authority to approve the job description |
Date approved: | Date upon which the job description was approved |
Reviewed: | Date when the job description was last reviewed |
NOTE: Ideally, a job description should be reviewed annually and updated as often as necessary.
Please use these Action Verbs to incorporate into your job description:
accommodate communicate draft interface recruit
achieve compile edit interpret reduce
acquire complete eliminate interview regulate
address compose enforce investigate report
adjust compute establish issue research
administer conduct evaluate lift resolve
advise confer execute maintain review
allocate consolidate expand manage schedule
analyze construct explore monitor search
apply consult facilitate motivate select
appoint control formulate negotiate solve
approve coordinate furnish observe specify
arrange correspond generate operate strategize
assess counsel guide organize streamline
assign create handle participate strengthen
assist customize hire perform summarize
audit delegate identify plan support
augment deliver illustrate predict teach
authorize demonstrate implement prepare train
budget design improve present translate
calculate develop improvise process troubleshoot
circulate devise incorporate program update
clarify direct increase provide validate
clear disseminate inform quantify verify
collaborate distinguish initiate recognize
collect distribute instruct recommend
combine document interact record
[Your organization name] is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at [Your organization name] are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate.