How to Write a Simple Job Description

1.0 A timely reminderIn a recent decision in a Newlaw and industrial rights that protect you.3.5
South Wales court it was found that an employeeOccupational Health and SafetyOccupational health
was psychologically injured and that contributingand safety is a big ticket item of the industrial
factors such as not having a job description andagenda today. To many lives lost, over 500 lives lost
controlling management behaviours were responsible.each year to industrial accidents.Most job descriptions
The employee was subsequently awardeddo not contain reference to the employer and
$500,000.00 for psychological injury.Not having a clearemployee working within the framework of health
job description can lead to significant expense,and safety and do so to their peril.By including this
declining morale and uncertainty. In this is the case,clause, by induction and training you are able to
you the employer is the party that will be penaliseddemonstrate your commitment to health ad
and the courts' will not display leniency for ignorancesafety.3.6 Sign offSign off demonstrates that the
or busyness.2.0 The Job descriptionA job is aemployee has the core skills, experience, and safety
collection of tasks and responsibilities that anawareness to carry out key responsibilities. In the
employee is responsible to conduct. Job descriptionsvent of a dispute this is critical.You can find more
are lists of the general tasks and responsibilities of ainformation at ACCOUNTSPOSITION
position.Typically, they also include to whom theDESCRIPTIONSenior ReceptionistPURPOSE OF THE
position reports, specifications such as the keyPOSITION:To effectively and in a timely manner
responsibilities and qualifications and experienceundertake the duties of senior receptionist providing
needed by the person in the job and can sometimessecretarial, clerical, financial & administration services
includes the salary range for the position.Jobto ABC Accounts. To assist with other duties as
descriptions are usually developed by conducting adirected by your Manager.POSITION REPORTS TO:
job analysis, which includes examining the key tasksAdministration ManagerKEY RESPONSIBILITIES:NO:
necessary to perform the job. The analysis looks atDUTIES1. Perform reception duties including answering
the areas of knowledge and skills needed by the job.the telephone in a timely manner, directing client
A typical job description is used for advertising toqueries to the correct person, screening calls and
attract an employee to fill a position, or to set therepresenting the company in a professional manner.2.
boundaries and parameters of the particular positionProvide support to the Manager as required including
that you want filled.However, many job descriptionscompiling letters, memorandum and reports, screening
are not framed well and this includes, not worded aincoming correspondence and arranging appointments
job description in a manner such that the employee'sfor clients.3. Process cheques and payment advice
performance can be measured and leaving out keyassociated with the organisation's creditors, debtors
flexibility clauses. It is not uncommon for a person toand invoices and other accounts payable and
write a position description, hire the employee andreceivable in a timely manner.4. In addition, you may
then have the employee refuse to do the bankingbe required to undertake a variety of tasks, both
because banking was not incorporated in their jobskilled and semi-skilled, or carry out some other task
description.In cases where the dispute has gone legalwhich is not specifically within your traditional role
the employee has a good chance of winning. It's all inprovided the task is within your core skill
the documentation.When drafting a job description itcompetencies and legal requirements.CORE SKILLS:1.
is paramount to include a flexibility clause that willMinimum of 4 years experience in an accounting
allow the employer the right to direct the employeefirm2. Minimum of Advanced Diploma of Accounting
to perform other work that is within their recognizedor other professional education approved by ABC
skill set.3.0 What should I include in jobAccounts.3. Display a professional and courteous
descriptionYour job description is an importantmanner in representing the organisations core value
document that needs to set out a number of keyof excellence in customer service.4. Ability to remain
matters.3.1 Purpose of the positionThe purpose ofcalm under pressure and effectively manage multiple
the position summarises the key reason the positiontasks and deadlines.5. Experience in compiling letters,
exists within the organisation and a short paraphrasememorandum and reports, making appointments and
of duties the incumbent is required to understand anddealing with sensitive organisational issues with
take responsibility for.3.2 Position reports toHavingconfidentiality and discretion.6. Able to demonstrate a
stated professional boundaries is an important part ofhigh level of experience and literacy in computer
the organisation and employees understanding in whosoftware applications such as Microsoft Office and
they report to and what they are responsible for.computerised accounting software.7. Able to work
This prevents any misunderstanding which in thewithin the policies and procedures of ABC
event of dispute will work against you if you do notAccounts.OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY
have it documented.3.3 Key responsibilitiesThis sectionSTATEMENTAssist the ORGANISATION to create a
of the job description details the main tasks that thesafe and healthy working environment by working
employee is accountable and responsible for.It shouldsafely, using equipment provided and following
include the macro items however some employersinstructions given for health and safety purposes and
like to include the micro detail as well.Of paramountimmediately reporting any unsafe working practices
importance is point four of the example (you may beor hazardous working conditions.I certify that I have
required to undertake a variety of tasks, both skilledread this Position Description have the core skills to
and semi-skilled, or carry out some other task whichcarry out these duties contained herein and have had
is not specifically within your traditional role providedany questions or concerned answered to my
the task is within your core skill competencies andsatisfaction.EMPLOYEE SIGNATURE:
legal requirements). This gives you flexibility to direct_______________________________ DATE:
your employee to undertake other work not detailedR SIGNATURE:
in their job description. We are now living in an age of_______________________________ DATE:
discontinuous change where today's tasks change______________________________Philip
tomorrow and this gives you the flexibility to grow(Phil) Lye is Managing Director of Biz Momentum
with those changes.3.4 Core SkillsCore skills are thoseproviding professional services in human resource
skills and experience that the incumbent will need asmanagement and employee relations (HR / IR
a minimum to perform the job in a professional andMatters), training your people to work with you,
responsible manner. As such, you need to take'coaching you' to be a better executive and
particular notice when interviewing a perspectivecommercial business consultation.Phil is a
employee in ensuring they really do have these'keynote-speaker' who speaks with passion on
attributes.Research has discovered that up to 35%subjects like 'kindness and the bottom line', 'last one
of qualifications, memberships and experience writtenstanding', 'down and outers and up and outers', 'more
on a resumes are false. This includes Masters andfrom less on your bottom line' as well as a diverse
PhD degrees.Before giving the position to someonerange of other topics.Phil started his working career
reference check carefully. Recently we assisted anas the 'postage clerk' in banking and finance rising
Accountant whose employee warranted they hadthrough various business opportunities to CEO and
the skills and passed probation and then afterCFO of two companies before leaving to start his
probation dropped the ball.If a perspective employeeown business in 2002.Phil holds qualifications in
signs off to say they have these skills andAccounting, Leadership, Human Resource
afterwards displays the contrary you have commonManagement & Industrial Relations.