State statutes define a position as a "group of duties and require the services of an employee on a part-time or full-time basis." A position description (PD) is a structured document assigning work to a given position as it is expected to be performed after customary orientation and training. It will tell the reader what the worker is responsible for doing, how it is done, and how it relates to other positions within and outside the work unit. | Chapter 3 Filling Vacant Positions Appendix 3c - What Every Supervisor Should Know About Position Descriptions What is a Position Description State statutes define a position as a group of duties and require the services of an employee on a part-time or full-time basis. A position description PD is a structured document assigning work to a given position as it is expected to be performed after customary orientation and training. It will tell the reader what the worker is responsible for doing how it is done and how it relates to other positions within and outside the work unit. The PD should accurately and completely describe the permanent duties and responsibilities that are assigned and performed. Position descriptions are not intended to cover every kind of work assignment a position may have. Rather they cover those work assignments which are predominant permanent and recurring. Who Writes the Position Description By state statute the agency appointing authority assigns work to employees. S he may delegate this responsibility to subordinate staff. This means that the PD can be written by the supervisor employee manager or personnel officer. Since the first-line supervisor is almost always responsible for directly assigning and reviewing the work on behalf of the appointing authority the PD is most often written or reviewed by him her. employees can and often do have important ideas and information which can be used for updating the PD. However it is not an official assignment without the supervisor s approval. Why are Position Descriptions Important Position descriptions are necessary documents which affect employees positions in a multitude of areas including assignment of duties classification of the position identification of training and development needs recruitment and exam development organization and planning of the work unit and the establishment of performance evaluation goals and standards. Position descriptions are .
