Staff Position Description
Overview
The purpose of the Penn State Staff Position Description is to document the responsibilities of a position. It focuses on a specific position, providing details regarding the primary job duties, requirements, position scope, and supervisory responsibilities (if applicable).
The information provided in the Position Description correlates to a staff job profile and level, therefore, it is important that it accurately represents the way the position is currently/should be functioning.
Resources
- Staff Position Description (PDF version)
- To ensure you don't lose any data entered, do a "save as" on you computer first, then complete the PDF and resave.
- Action Words
Getting Started
All sections of the position description must be completed. Incomplete or missing information may lead to an inaccurate reflection of the nature of the position and in the case of a classification review request, may delay the process.
There are three main sections of the Position Description. Click on the headings below to learn more about each section (printing this page will allow you to view this page in its entirety):
Best Practices
Things to keep in mind when completing the Position Description:
Do...
- Consider the normal day-to-day responsibilities
- Use a factual and impersonal style when writing the Position Description
- Write clear, concise, and complete sentences
- Begin each task with a present tense action verb
- Focus on key responsibilities critical to the position
- Base the content on the responsibilities and duties of the position
- Include expectations of a fully proficient incumbent meeting all position requirements
- When indicating the percentage of time spent on each duty, consider what is performed over a given period of time
- The percentages must total 100% and should not be smaller than 5% or greater than 50%
- Use explanatory phrases telling why, how, where, or how often to add meaning and clarity
Do not...
- Cut and paste information from job profiles, matrices or any other reference tools
- Use narrative, first person form, or specific individual names
- Use unnecessary words that add “fluff” to the duty
- Base the content on what the person doing the position can or can’t do
- Include one time, short-term assignments or an exhaustive list of all, minor, or occasional tasks
- Write the Position Description based on the desired classification outcome
- Write the Position Description as a procedure manual on how to do the position
- Utilize a template Position Description when positions have notable differences
If you have questions about completing and submitting your Position Description, please contact your HR Consultant or compensation@psu.edu.