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Glossary of Terms for Writing Position Responsibilities

Job/Position Descriptions | Job/Position Definitions |
Job/Position Description Template Instructions | Job/Position Description Template*
Position Description Writing Tips | Glossary

The following terms are commonly used for describing position responsibilities. This is not an all-inclusive list of acceptable terms and can be used for either non-exempt or exempt positions. You may also use other terms that are appropriate.

Administer

To perform or direct in a prescribed manner

Advise

To counsel, recommend or suggest

Analyze

To systematically study data, information or a situation to determine a solutions or alternatives

Appraise

To evaluate or judge

Approve

Authorize action; exercise final authority; act independently without further consultation

Assist

To provide help, support or aid

Audit

Examine in-depth to verify accuracy, or conformity with requirements

Authorize

Give others the power or right to act with final or definite authority

Conduct

To direct the course of

Control

To exercise authority over; to regulate

Coordinate

To organize or harmonize actions or efforts for a common goal or purpose

Counsel

Give advice and guidance to another

Delegate

Entrust to another person's management and/or handling

Design

To conceive, invent or form a plan for

Determine

To reach a decision about after thought and/or investigation; to find out exactly, to calculate

Develop

To bring gradually and methodically into existence; to expand or realize potential

Direct

To show or point the way, carry out the organization; manage, supervise, and determine the course.

Document

Provide with factual or substantial support; construct or produce with a high proportion of details.

Edit

Alter, adapt, or refine to bring about conformity, assemble by cutting and rearranging.

Ensure

To make sure or certain; guarantee; protect

Facilitate

To make easier or to expedite

Implement

To carry with effect; fulfill; accomplish

Initiate

Cause or facilitate the beginning; instruct in the rudiments or principles of something.

Maintain

To keep in existence; to defend or sustain; to preserve or retain

Manage

To plan, organize and control a function by leading and directing subordinates without giving detailed supervision; to have charge of; control

Monitor

To watch, observe or check for a special purpose; keep track

Organize

Give orderly structure; put into working order.

Perform

Carry out; accomplish; to do in a formal manner.

Plan

To formulate a program to accomplish or attain a goal or end point

Prepare

To put together or create by combining multiple parts, inputs, materials

Promote

To contribute to the progress or growth of; to advocate or urge the adoption of

Propose

Offer for acceptance or adoption

Provide

To furnish necessary information, materials, or services; to make available

Oversee

To watch over and direct; to supervise

Recommend

To counsel or advise that something be done; to promote something as reputable, worthwhile, appropriate

Review

To examine with an eye to criticism, correction or approval

Serve

To actively carry out duties within the framework of a specialized activity, such as a committee

Supervise

To direct and inspect the performance of subordinates; to instruct subordinates in details of the work they perform (either directly or by enforcement of well-established rules), distribute and assign work, observe performance in detail and work with subordinates to improve performance

Train

Increase others' skill or knowledge though capable instruction, usually in relation to predetermined standard.

Validate

Confirm, support, or corroborate on a sound or authoritative basis.

 

 


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