Jobs description terms

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Jobs description terms

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JOB DESCRIPTION GLOSSARY

The following terms can be useful in stating the functions of jobs concisely. The list is intended to help you avoid the use of indefinite or ambiguous expressions. While it is not possible that two people would agree fully as to the "correct" definitions of these terms, it is necessary for purposes of comparison that description writers and job evaluators define their terms in the same way.

ACCOUNTABLE The requirements placed on an individual employee to perform the work of his position to the satisfaction of his/her superior.

ADAPT To modify or change to fit specific or new situations.

ADMINISTER Manage or direct. (Generally requires some additional explanation to show specific details. See also manage)

ADVERTISE Create general and specific demand and acceptance for the company's products through use of indirect media such as displays in periodicals, or on posters, radio programs, booklets, folders, signs, etc.

ADVISE Offer an informed opinion or give specialized information to others.

ANALYZE Identify the elements of a whole and critically examine and relate these components separately and/or in relation to the whole.

ALLOCATE To assign or apportion for a specific purpose or to a particular person.

APPRAISE Judge as to quality; compare critically with established standards.

APPROVE Exercise final and decisive authority, causing action to use money, manpower, materials, or equipment.

AREA Type or kind, when used to define an action as in "area of responsibility."

ASSEMBLE Gather from various sources.

ASSIST Help or aid others in the performance of work, where another employee assumes responsibility. Consists of performing portions of assigned work or carrying out details or the total assignment under guidance of another. (Requires further explanation to show specific details.)

ASSIGN Specify or designate tasks and duties to be performed by others.

AUTHORITY The right to make decisions binding the individual, organizational unit or company to a policy or course of action.

AUTHORIZE Approve or commit; an act implying subsequent action by others.

BUDGET Statement of the estimated expenditures required for a program of action.

CALCULATE Make mathematical computations.

CAPITAL Aggregate sum of money, material and land used to produce

income in contrast to income received.

CLASSIFY To arrange or organize according to class or category.

COMMIT Pledge or assign to a particular course of action.

COMMUNICATE Convey information to others, ensuring that the information is

received and understood.

COMPILE Put together information or assemble data in a new form.

CONDUCT Manage or carry on, with emphasis on concept of immediate supervision of the task or activity, or personal leadership, e.g. conduct negotiations with union representatives.

COGNITIVE Process of relating thoughts and knowledge, and applying them to solve problems. (Includes both knowledge and judgment.)

CONFIDENTIAL Related to collective bargaining unit representation. If a position has access to or impact on information or negotiations affecting the wages, hours, and terms and conditions of employment for employees covered by recognized exclusive bargaining representatives, e.g. AFSCME, PTA.

CONTROL Direct, regulate, or guide the use of money, methods, equipment, materials, etc. Also, the process of monitoring activities to ensure conformance with planned results.

COOPERATE Act jointly with others.

COORDINATE Regulate, adjust, or direct the related actions of others in order to attain desired results.

CORRESPOND Communicate in writing with individuals.

CREATE Produce through imaginative skill.

CREATIVITY The skill or ability to generate new and beneficial ideas.

CUSTOMER

SERVICE Aid customers in the proper, economical, and effective use of energy; investigate and recommend or take action on customer complaints and inquiries.

DELEGATE Entrust to another person tasks or duties which require exercise of some of the authority of the person originally responsible, as "to delegate an administrative assistant to represent the department at conferences".

DESIGN Devise and execute drawings or diagrams showing the features of an object, arrangement, or procedure. Does not include preparation of specifications or detailed instructions. Frequently, the function of designing is shared with others, in which case it is more precise to use design as a noun and state a job's function in relation thereto, i.e., originate, analyze, endorse, approve, etc., the design of .....

DEVELOP Create, disclose, discover, perfect, or unfold a plan or idea, in detail, gradually. Implies study and/or experiment unless otherwise stated. When used as "to develop subordinates," see train.

DEVISE Form in the mind by combinations of ideas, new applications of principles, or new arrangements of parts.

DIRECT Govern or control work operations by establishing and implementing objectives, practices, and methods.

DISABILITY A physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of an individual's major life activities; a record of such an impairment; or being regarded as having such an impairment.

DISCIPLINE (V) Ensure individual's or group's adherence to rules and regulations and penalize them for actions contrary to such rules and regulations.

DISCIPLINE (N) Branch of education, activity, or interest embodying laws or rules, a set of facts, principles, and theories.

DISCRETION Latitude or freedom of choice within certain bounds.

DISPOSE Sell or otherwise get rid of materials, buildings, equipment, records, etc., which are of no further use to the company, including salvaging any usable material prior to disposal.

DISTRIBUTE Deliver documents, equipment, tools, records, etc., to their proper destinations by mail or personal delivery.

ENDORSE Add support to recommendations of others. Implies a willingness to have one's name associated with a proposal or action of another.

EQUIPMENT Fabricated or assembled material in such form as to provide tools and machines with which people work.

EQUIVALENT Alike in significance; virtually the same. Implies independent study but may be achieved by constructive, relevant experience.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTION The fundamental (as opposed to marginal) job duties of the position the individual holds or desires.

ESTIMATE (V) Forecast future quantities, values, sizes, extents, etc., either on the basis of judgment or calculation.

ESTIMATE (N) The approximation or appraisal of the value, cost, materials, staff, etc. of a program, plan, project, etc.

EXECUTE Put into effect or carry out methods, plans, etc.

FIELD Branch of education, activity, or interest, sometimes referred to as a discipline, embodying laws or rules, a set of facts, principles, and theories.

FILE (V) Arrange records in a methodical manner for preservation and reference.

FILE (N) A device (as a folders or cabinet) by means of which documents are kept in order; a collection of related data records. May be automated or hard copy.

FORECAST Current prediction of future events based on specified assumptions.

FUNCTION Typically refers to an activity or area of responsibility, such as plant accounting, planning, analysis, administrative or clerical support, etc.

GOAL Broad qualitative statement describing a fundamental aim of the organization.

GUIDE Lead, step by step.

IMPLEMENT Carry out or fulfill by taking action.

IMPROVE Make better.

INFORM Communicate knowledge to others.

INITIATE Set in motion or introduce.

INITIATIVE Energy or foresight displayed by taking action without being specifically told to.

IN-PROCESS CONTROL Control over an employee's work assignment, exercised while the work is being accomplished.

INSPECT Examine materials, equipment, reports, work, etc., to determine quality, suitability for use, etc.

INSTRUCT Teach, demonstrate, or by other methods impart knowledge to others by means of training courses. Direct that a specific activity be performed; may include directing how it is to be performed.

INTERPRET Explain to others (orally or in writing) the meaning or significance of something.

INTERVIEW Question and converse with another person in order to obtain facts or opinions.

INVESTIGATE Uncover facts by systematically finding them, conducting a searching inquiry, and examining various sources.

KNOWLEDGE, Mastery of a field and a thorough understanding of the

ADVANCED application of the pertinent principles; also use or mastery of a field plus a thorough understanding of a specialized area of the field.

KNOWLEDGE, BASIC Understanding of the elementary principles of a field.

KNOWLEDGE, BROAD Mastery of the principles of a field.

KNOWLEDGE, A "talking" acquaintance with and understanding of the

GENERAL principles of a field.

KNOWLEDGE, Mastery of the entire field.

THOROUGH

LINE Positions and personnel involved directly in executing the work for which the organization was created.

MAINTAIN Keep is satisfactory condition.

MAJOR LIFE ACTIVITY Functions such as caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, and working.

MANAGE Plan, organize, direct, control, and evaluate operation of an organizational unit, with responsibility for the output.

MATERIAL Substances worked upon, used up, or gradually exhausted.

METHOD Way, technique, or process for doing something.

MONITOR Keep track of, regulate, or control the operation of.

NEGOTIATE Confer with others to reach an agreement.

OBJECTIVE Stated goal of the company or organization or individual.

OPERATE Use equipment or systems for the purpose for which they were intended.

ORGANIZATION Structural or functional entity; may be the entire body of a company or the whole of a subdivision of a company.

ORIGINATE Begin or initiate.

OVERSEE Supervise a function or operation as distinct from supervising people.

PHYSICAL OR MENTAL

IMPAIRMENT Any physiological disorder, or condition, cosmetic disfigurement, or

anatomical loss affecting one or more of the following body systems: neurological, musculoskeletal, special sense organs, respiratory (including speech organs), cardiovascular, reproductive, digestive, genito-urinary, hemic and lymphatic, skin, and endocrine; or any mental or psychological disorder, such as mental retardation, organic brain syndrome, emotional or mental illness, and specific learning disabilities.

PLACE Locate and choose positions for personnel, equipment, or materials.

PLAN Written document which outlines the results of planning, usually quantitative, so future programs can be measured and compared with a series of reference points.

PLANNING Organized process of devising a plan.

POLICY Broad, generalized statement of administrative or management action to be used as a guide or basis for establishing regulations, standards, and practices necessary for effective and efficient operation or conduct of business.

PRACTICE Specific detailed statement of a method of doing work repeatedly or habitually.

PRACTITIONER One who performs with proficiency in a given field of knowledge or profession.

PREPARE To make ready beforehand for a specific purpose, as for an event or occasion: To put together or make by combining various elements or ingredients; manufacture or compound:

PRE-PERFORMANCE Control over an employee's work, exercised prior to its

CONTROL start.

PROCEDURE Established sequence of steps or actions to carry out a task.

PROMOTE Advance employees to higher positions; advance or foster ideas; or encourage the use of company equipment or services.

PROPOSE Recommend or suggest for consideration or adoption.

PURCHASE Commit use of company funds for a specific purpose, whether by oral or written contract or by exchange of money for goods or services.

QUALIFICATION The personal and professional attributes including the skill,

STANDARDS experience, education, physical, mental, safety and other job-related requirements established by the employer as requirements which an individual must meet in order to be eligible for the position held or desired. Qualification standards may include a requirement that an individual not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of the individual or others.

Essential Qualification Standards include the minimum qualifications necessary to perform the essential job functions.

Non-Essential Standards include qualifications other than those required to effectively and safely perform the essential job functions.

QUALIFIED INDIVIDUAL

WITH A DISABILITY An individual with a disability (1) who satisfies the requisite skill, experience, education, and other job-related requirements of the position such individual holds or desires; and (2) who, with or without reasonable accommodation, can perform the essential functions of that position.

REASONABLE

ACCOMMODATION Any modification or adjustment to a job application process that

enables a qualified individual with a disability to be considered for

the position the qualified individual desires; or any modification or

adjustment to the work environment or to the manner or circumstances

under which the position held or desired is customarily performed, that

enables an applicant or employee to perform the essential functions

of the position.

RECOMMEND Present a matter to another person for action or approval.

RESEARCH Specific inquiry involving prolonged and critical investigation,

having for its aim the study of new facts and their interpretation, the

revision of accepted conclusions or theories that may be affected by

newly discovered facts, or the practical application of such new or

revised conclusions. Example: Technical research to develop new

products for the company.

RESPONSIBILITY Accountability to some higher authority for certain activities in a

given sphere and for a given time.

REVIEW Consider or examine facts or results for accuracy, completeness,

and suitability.

SCOPE Extent of authority, responsibility, activity, or influence.

SELECT Choose that which appears to be best suited for a specific purpose.

SELLING Creating general and specific demand or acceptance for the

company's products or services through direct contact with potential

customers, with or without securing agreements to buy.

SENSITIVE Matters involving contacts more than normally susceptible to

adverse reaction or involving important policy matters.

SPECIALIST One who devotes him or herself to some special branch of activity

in his business or profession.

SPECIFIER One whose job includes as a major function the preparation of

specifications.

SPECIFY State precisely or in detail, or name explicitly. Frequently, the

function of specifying is shared with others, in which case it is more

precise to use the noun specifications and state a job's function in

relation thereto, i.e., originates, analyzes, endorses, approves, etc.,

specifications for ....

STAFF Positions or personnel which exist to help line or operating

departments do their work more effectively; usually established to

take advantage of specialized talent or knowledge.

STUDY Apply thought to any subject of investigation, in order to arrive at

the most suitable conclusion.

SUPERVISE Personally oversee or control work performance and conduct of

others, where there is opportunity for control or inspection of work

performed.

TRAIN Teach, demonstrate, or guide others in the performance of assigned

work.

TRANSCRIBE Transfer information (words or figures) from one form or method of

preparation to another, without changing its substance or nature.

VACANT POSITION An active, unfilled position for which it has been determined that

open recruitment may proceed because there is no individual with

right to recall or preference for reemployment, or any transfer who

is qualified to fill the position; and, because no other internal

transfer action is contemplated for the position.

VERIFY Confirm or establish the authenticity of data by examination or

other means.

Source : http://ucanr.edu/sites/anrstaff/files/1079.doc

Web site link: http://ucanr.edu/sites/anrstaff/

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