First published on this website in December 2003 and last updated in May 2012

Job descriptions are often drafted unhelpfully, used sporadically and then buried somewhere deep inside a filing drawer. This article provides straightforward advice on how to write and use them well.

1: Questions and answers
A range of FAQs with their answers with the focus on the three sections every job description needs:

• Why am I doing this job?
• Who do I relate to in doing this job?
• What am I responsible for?

 2: Other helpful paperwork
The person profile – the summary of expectations – the aims for this year

3: Practical examples
Fully worked examples for a church’s paid Youth and Community Worker and a (voluntary) member of the Newcomers Team