Everyone contributes to an environment in which every person and every interaction matters and that should be evident in the position description writing process as well. Every job search should begin with a thoughtfully crafted job description, as decisions made in defining the position shape the direction of a unit and have long-term effects regarding the success of the newly hired individual within the unit, college, and university. The position description should reflect the work responsibilities and expectations of the position. It should be a concise description of what will be expected of the employee, written in a way that clearly communicates these expectations. In addition, the wording and language of the position description should reflect consideration of the diverse audiences potentially reviewing this document. The description of the work to be performed and qualifications for successful performance should be presented broadly as possible to enhance attracting a diverse array of individuals to the applicant pool. The position description is also a foundational document informing employee evaluation. Across our institution, the person responsible for writing the position description varies.
The position description should include a statement of our expectation that everyone contributes to an environment in which every person and every interaction matters (see Appendix III for more details).