How to Write a Job Description
What is a Job Description?
A formal summary of the responsibilities, duties, and qualifications required for a specific job.
Why Are Position Descriptions Important?
- They guide supervisors in evaluating work distribution and departmental organization
- They assist the Comp team with analyzing jobs to determine appropriate pay ranges and classifications
- They establish a basis for recruitment, selection, and hiring
- They help employees understand their roles more clearly
- They support accurate and fair performance evaluations
What Should Be Included?
Only include tasks and responsibilities that are currently required for the position. Avoid listing duties that are no longer performed or that may be needed in the future. The focus should remain on the position—not the individual in the role.
Job requirements such as education, experience, skills, and abilities should directly support the essential functions of the position.
Tips for Writing a Position Description
- Use a factual and impersonal style: Ensure the description is accurate, concise, and complete
- Simplify sentence structure: Eliminate words that don’t add value (such as “very” or “extremely”)
- Start each duty with an action verb: This clarifies what the role entails
- Avoid narrative form: Use lists or bullet points for easier reading
- Be consistent: Use terms like “may” or “occasionally” for infrequent tasks
- Use job titles, not names: For example, say "reports to the department manager"
- Be precise: Clarity helps with job evaluation and classification
- Highlight critical responsibilities: Place minor or occasional tasks in a separate section for non-essential duties
- Organize logically: Group responsibilities in a consistent, meaningful order
Questions? Contact the PWC Employment Team at hr@slcc.edu.