Job Description Writing

Job Design Tips

A well designed job(s) has:

• Ten major responsibilities in one or more similar occupational fields.
• A clear purpose and role.
• Clear accountabilities and achievable outcomes.
• Accountability for the responsibilities assigned.
• A balance between the level of accountability and years of experience.
• Clearly defined processes.
• Job interdependency.
• Skill variety and skills that are directly related to the major responsibilities.
• Task identity = end to end process responsibility.
• Task significance = the work is meaningful and has an impact.
• Autonomy = an appropriate level of freedom, independence and discretion.

Key Characteristics of a Job Description

• Relates directly to the criteria used in the applicable job evaluation system
• A well designed job should have:
  1. A balance between accountabilities and experience
  2. A clearly defined role and processes for carrying out responsibilities
  3. Decision-making authority that is proportionate to accountabilities
  4. Achievable responsibilities
  5. Clear accountabilities
  6. Autonomy
  7. A clear purpose

Purpose of a Job Description

• Determine compensation rates
• Recruit prospective employees
• Evaluate employee performance
• Determine professional development requirements
• Convey work responsibilities
• Develop succession plans
• Do career planning
• Participate in third party salary surveys and conduct custom salary surveys