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

While position descriptions are important in many ways, describing position responsibilities clearly and concisely can be challenging. The following tips may be helpful:

1. Do some initial preparation and advance thinking:
   • What are the 4 - 6 major end results the position must accomplish on an ongoing basis?
     • What are the activities associated with getting these end results accomplished?
     • What kind of independent judgment and discretion is exercised?
     • What kinds of decisions are made?
   • If this is difficult, begin by listing the activities associated with the position. Then cluster those activities into related groupings. Review the groupings to identify the nature of the accountability associated with the activities.
   • List the responsibilities in descending order of importance and assign a percent of time spent on each. This helps the reader get a clearer picture of the job. (Note: the FLSA regulations no longer use "percent of time" in the duties tests, so this percentage will be used primarily to understand the job content).
2. Put yourself in the reader's place:
   • Think about how to describe the position to someone who is unfamiliar with the position or department.
   • Do not use jargon, acronyms, or other non-standard language.
3. Use the following model as a way to structure each statement:

Examples: