A detailed position / job description is the starting point of a thorough hiring process.  A position / job description informs the applicant of the essential functions of the position / job.  The “essential functions” of the position / job are important since these are the functions that the employee must be able to perform to be considered a viable candidate for a position / job.

The following is an outline of a possible approach that can be used to create new descriptions or modify existing descriptions in your effort to comply with the position / job description aspects of the American Disabilities Act.

Position / Job Summary
Should answer the question “why does this position / job exist in the organization.”  This should be a brief statement of the major components of the position, including:

• Essential position / job functions
• Purpose and objectives of these functions
• Key relationships

Position / Job Responsibilities

This should be a list of specific responsibilities that cover the various aspects of the position / job.

Required Education / Experience
The education and experience required should:

• Reflect the level that would be established to recruit for the position / job.
• Be the same for everyone in that position.
• Be consistent with position / job’s responsibilities
• Reflect what best fits the requirements of the position or what qualifications are necessary to advance to a higher position.

Required Skills
Skill needed should be listed on the position / job description.  It may be also beneficial to include the frequency with which the skill is required.

Skill requirements can only be listed with the following caveats:

• The disabled employee has the right to request an accommodation.
• The organization has the obligation to provide an accommodation unless the accommodation poses an “undue hardship” or compromises the safety of disabled person or other members/employees.

Physical Requirements and Environmental Conditions
Document the physical capabilities required to perform the responsibilities (essential position / job functions) and the special environmental conditions that are inherent in the work area where the job functions are performed.