Job Summary, Essential & Marginal Job Functions
Job Summary: A brief
summary of purpose and primary functions of position, ending with type
of supervision received.
Essential Functions: Must
be performed with or without reasonable accommodation.
If appropriate, include information
about resources and/or supervisory elements.
Tips for describing Essential Functions:
- Be specific in describing job functions: What methods, techniques and equipment
are used? What is the expected result or outcome? With whom is it done? Communicate
the position's responsibility for financial resources, budgets, physical resources,
and data/records/information. Describe Supervisory
Elements.
- Use Action Verbs
to specify each function statement, such as "operate," "analyze," or "approve."
Avoid vague words such as "may" or "preferred."
- Determine the percentage of total
effort each
function requires. The total of all functions should equal 100%. In
general, individual functions are best described with percentage
breakdowns no
higher than 20%-25%, and no lower than 5%.
Prioritize functions in order of most to least essential. To
distinguish essential from marginal functions, ask yourself :
- Does the position exist to perform the
function?
- Can other employees perform the function if
the incumbent does not?
- Is special training or education required
to perform the function?
- Would removing the function fundamentally
change the job?
- Would there be significant consequences
if this function were not performed?