Job Description Considerations

The position description needs to accurately reflect the business needs of the department. This includes the essential duties, minimum qualifications, preferred qualifications (if necessary), and knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs).

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum qualifications include the essential education, experience, training, certifications, and/or licenses necessary to perform the essential duties of the position, and should be objective, position-related, and measurable.

Only those individuals who apply to and meet the minimum qualifications as listed on the job posting are to be included in the OEEO pool review.

Writing Minimum Qualifications

  • Do not use statements such as "Any equivalent combination of education and/or experience may be considered."
  • If necessary, "stack" levels based on your needs
    • Not every position will require every level; make sure the minimum qualifications truly reflect what is minimally necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
    • Example:
      • Bachelor's degree in _____ field(s) and two (2) years of related experience; OR
      • Associate's degree in _____ field(s) and four (4) years of related experience; OR
      • Six (6) years related experience
  • Paid related student jobs/internships and Graduate Assistantships automatically count at the rate of 50% unless otherwise stated in the minimum qualifications
  • Degrees & State Date
    • The default for determining if an individual is qualified regarding their degree is the date their application was submitted. In order to consider individuals that may still be completing their qualifying degree(s), language must be included in the minimum qualifications. For example: “Degree earned/conferred by first date of employment.”

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred qualifications include the education, experience, training, certifications, and/or licenses that are ideal but not necessary to perform the essential duties of the position, and should be objective, position-related, and measurable.

Preferred qualifications are good tools to use to evaluate all qualified applicants after the OEEO pool review approval has been granted.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs)

KSAs are position-related but separate from the measurable minimum qualifications.

  • Knowledge – the body of information necessary to perform the essential duties of the position
  • Skills – the level of proficiency necessary to perform the essential duties of the position
  • Abilities – the capabilities necessary to perform the essential duties of the position

Examples of KSAs include:

  • Knowledge within certain areas/fields
  • Communication and organizational skills
  • Ability to multi-task and complete work in timely manner