Position Description Information

Definition

A written summary of the most important features of a position including:

  • the general nature of the work performed,
  • the specific duties and responsibilities, and
  • the qualifications needed to do the job.

Uses

  • To help employees understand their jobs.
  • To clarify relationships between jobs, avoiding duplication and gaps in responsibilities and specific duties.
  • To provide information for classifying positions.
  • To assist in performance appraisal by providing a standard against which individual performance can be measured.
  • To clarify lines of communication, authority and responsibility.
  • To assist in organization planning.
  • To introduce new employees to their jobs.
  • To assist in hiring and placing employees in the job for which they are best suited.
  • To establish lines of upward mobility.
  • To identify training needs.