Writing Effective Job Descriptions
Writing
Effective Job Descriptions
Human
beings undergo a natural life cycle from birth to death, passing through
several stages along the way. Organizations might view human resource
activities as a similar cycle from the initial hiring to the eventual
termination of employment for various reasons such as promotion or
transfer. Public health administrators are often involved in this human
resources cycle, from workforce planning, job analysis, recruitment and
selection, on-boarding, training and development, and coaching and performance
appraisal. One of the most critical tasks in this cycle is recruiting and
selecting individuals for public health positions who have the right skills and
qualities for the position. In addition, it is important that these skills and
qualities remain current as the organization and requirements change.
Although
each organization and position will have unique requirements, public health
administrators can become familiar with best practices in human resources. In
the Learning Resources, The Public Health Foundation (n.d.-a) provides insights
on public health job descriptions based on Core Competencies for Public Health
Professionals, for example. Such best practices will help public health leaders
create job descriptions aimed at attracting the most potentially successful
candidates for the positions. Human resources professionals may revise job
descriptions for existing staff to keep the organization current, as well.
For
this week’s Assignment, review the Learning Resources, including the media
titled Recruitment, Selection, and Retention. Consider what the
individuals considered challenges in hiring and which best practices they
follow in creating job descriptions. Then, read the following scenario. Browse
through the various pages of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
website, and read carefully through the section titled “Discrimination by
Type.” Research online sources for typical salary ranges and similar job
descriptions in the Midwest United States.
Scenario:
Imagine
you are the Human Resources Director at Lake Troubled Shallows Health
Department, from the Final Project scenario. A key employee, a community
outreach coordinator, has left the position. The organization needs a new
community outreach coordinator. You have been tasked with implementing best
practices not only to fill the position but also to reevaluate and improve on
the job description.
The
Assignment (2–3 pages):
Section
I
Create
a new job description for a position in public health following best human
resource management practices. The job description should include the
following:
Essential job duties
Essential qualifications
An average salary range for this position
Recruitment and hiring strategies for this position
Related employment laws (e.g., civil rights, age
discrimination)
Section
II: Summary
Describe
how the job description (including duties and qualifications) might be
different today from those needed in the recent past (e.g., 5 years ago) and
why. Describe which best practices in human resources management you followed
when creating this job description and explain why you considered them to be
best practices.
Readings
Shi, L., &
Johnson, J. A. (2014). Novick and Morrow's public
health administration: Principles for population-based management
(3rd ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Chapter 11, “Human Resource Management for Public
Health” (pp. 221–240)
Behfar, K. J.,
Peterson, R. S., Mannix, E. A., & Trochim, W. M. K. (2008). The
critical role of conflict resolution in teams: A close look at the links
between conflict type, conflict management strategies, and team outcomes. The Journal of Applied Psychology, 93(1),
170–188.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
Grumbach, K.,
& Mendoza, R. (2008). Disparities in human resources: Addressing the
lack of diversity in the health professions. Health
Affairs, 27(2), 413–422.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
Hofmann, P. B.
(2012). Fear of conflict: Management and ethical costs—Wanting to avoid
conflict is natural but should not inhibit appropriate behavior. Healthcare Executive, 27(1), 58–60.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
Manning, M. L.,
Borton, D. L., & Rumovitz, D. M. (2012). Infection preventionists’ job
descriptions: Do they reflect expanded roles and responsibilities? American Journal of Infection Control, 40(9),
888–890.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
Public Health
Foundation. (n.d.-a). Competency-based job descriptions. Retrieved
October 6, 2014, from http://www.phf.org/resourcestools/pages/competency_based_job_descriptions.aspx
Public Health
Foundation. (n.d.-d). Workforce development. Retrieved October 6, 2014,
from http://www.phf.org/focusareas/workforcedevelopment/Pages/default.aspx
Towers Watson.
(2012). Global workforce study: Engagement at risk: Driving strong
performance in a volatile global environment. Retrieved from http://www.towerswatson.com/en/Insights/IC-Types/Survey-Research-Results/2012/07/2012-Towers-Watson-Global-Workforce-Study
U.S. Equal
Employment Opportunity Commission. (n.d.). Retrieved October 6, 2014, from
http://www.eeoc.gov/
Document: Role-Play Scenarios (PDF)