What is a Job Description?
Crafting Effective Job Descriptions: A Guide for Montana Municipalities
A job description is a summary of the important facts and essential functions of a specific job. The Montana Municipal Interlocal Authority (MMIA) has a number of model job descriptions available upon request. In addition, contacting other similarly-sized cities and towns might provide additional examples of quality job descriptions. It is important to remember that all job descriptions must be tailored to fit the individual position. No two municipalities will have identical job descriptions. The job description can be used directly or indirectly to assign work, clarify mission, establish performance requirements, assign titles, compensation, recruit for vacancies, explore reasonable accommodations, train employees, check for compliance with legal requirements (related to equal opportunity, equal pay, overtime eligibility, etc.) and make decisions on job restructuring. A basic job description of essential elements may include
the following areas:
Section of the Job Description Description of What the Section Should Include
Job Title:
Reports to:
FLSA Status: (Non-exempt/exempt from overtime)
Prepared by/Approved date:
Position Summary:
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
This category includes a thorough summary of what the job entails, including essential duties the employee must be able to perform with or without a reasonable accommodation.
Qualifications/Knowledge, skills and abilities
List the qualifications, knowledge, skills and abilities that are required to perform this position. Include the following statement or something like it to clarify the intent of this section:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education and/or Experience:
List the minimum required education, years of experience or a combination of education and experience (equivalency statement). If the job could be performed without a college education, do not list a college education as a requirement for the position. Instead list the minimum combination of education and experience that prepares the applicant to be successful in the position.
Physical Demands and Work Environment
List minimum requirements to safely perform the essential functions of the job. Consider demands for every kind of position, not just for jobs typically associated with physical labor. Office positions may require extended hours on occasion, lifting of heavy boxes or processing large mailings. These tasks are essential to the job but physically demanding.
the following areas:
Section of the Job Description Description of What the Section Should Include
Job Title:
Reports to:
FLSA Status: (Non-exempt/exempt from overtime)
Prepared by/Approved date:
Position Summary:
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
This category includes a thorough summary of what the job entails, including essential duties the employee must be able to perform with or without a reasonable accommodation.
Qualifications/Knowledge, skills and abilities
List the qualifications, knowledge, skills and abilities that are required to perform this position. Include the following statement or something like it to clarify the intent of this section:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education and/or Experience:
List the minimum required education, years of experience or a combination of education and experience (equivalency statement). If the job could be performed without a college education, do not list a college education as a requirement for the position. Instead list the minimum combination of education and experience that prepares the applicant to be successful in the position.
Physical Demands and Work Environment
List minimum requirements to safely perform the essential functions of the job. Consider demands for every kind of position, not just for jobs typically associated with physical labor. Office positions may require extended hours on occasion, lifting of heavy boxes or processing large mailings. These tasks are essential to the job but physically demanding.