Job Descriptions

What information needs to be in a job description?
– HR Manager, Architecture Firm

The basics are a list of key responsibilities and tasks handled by the resource, followed by the requirements that typically cover skills, schooling, etc. The source of the information within should be incumbents and then the management team that oversees these folks. One critical item is the need to consider compliance related items and employment law when assembling a job description. In short your attempt to outline tasks could result in you discriminating based on physical skills. For example requiring someone to be fit and capable of lifting 50 pounds could be a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) if it is determined that a reasonable accommodation would be to provide an employee with mechanical aide. Bottom line – get a professional’s help when drafting these up.