How to Write a Detailed Job Description
You’ve created a profile on Support Worker Central and now you’re ready to post a job. To help attract qualified applicants, it is important to write an appealing and detailed job description.
We’ve put together some suggestions to help you create a job description.
What is a Job Description?
A job description summarizes the responsibilities and details of the job, provides a brief overview of the person(s) the applicant will be supporting, and offers enough information for the applicant to determine if they are the right fit for the position.
Job Posting Title
The job posting title is a brief description of the job. It is very important as it’s the first thing people read when they scan the available jobs.
Suggestions to put in your job post title are:
- Type of role (day staff, respite, live-in care, etc)
- Time commitment (part-time, full-time, overnight, etc)
- Who they will be supporting (type of disability the supported individual has)
- Gender of the individual being supported (this can be helpful as some people prefer supporting individuals who identify with a certain gender)
- Age group (is the person being supported an adult or child)
- Any other details that may briefly summarize the job
Examples:
- Looking for live-in caregiver for young man with cerebral palsy
- Part-time day support for child with autism
- Weekend respite needed for women who lives independently
Job Summary
The job summary is a three- to five sentence paragraph that provides details about the job, who the person is that requires support, and who the employer is. This is an opportunity to expand on the job posting title.
Things to include in your summary are:
- Employer information (include some information about who you are (the employer) to help the applicant understand who they will be working for).
- Job location (the person’s home, out in the community, etc)
- Details about the person who requires support
- Details about the job (more specific details can be laid out in the ‘responsibilities & duties” section)
Responsibilities and Duties
Responsibilities and duties are a detailed, bulleted list of all the tasks of the role.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
A knowledge or skill is something an applicant knows or can do that helps them do a good job.
Salary and Benefits
It is mandatory under the Pay Transparency Act that all job postings include a wage or salary range. When you create a job posting on Support Worker Central, you will be asked to include the salary/wage.
Include any additional benefits you offer.
Examples:
- Paid activities such as coffee, movies, food, etc
- Mileage when driving
Additional Information
This is an opportunity to provide any additional information to assist the applicant on whether it is the right job for them.
Examples:
- Is the job location on a transit line?
Special Requirements
Describe the pre-employment expectations that the employee must meet to do the job.
Examples:
- Safe vehicle in good running order
- Current driver’s abstract
- Business insurance on the vehicle
- Signed medical form stating that the person is cable of performing the job
- Flu shot, Hepatitis B vaccine, T.B. test, Covid-19 vaccine
Avoid Discriminative Terms
It is important not to mention any of the protected areas under the Human Rights Code in your ad, even inadvertently. Keep language focused on the job skills and requirements rather than on the candidate.
Instead of including potentially discriminatory statements such as “young and energetic,” try and focus on job responsibilities such as “position will include lifting and transferring supported individual.”
Including a simple statement such as “_________ is an Equal Opportunity Employer” at the end of your job advertisement can make clear that you/your Microboard means no unintended discrimination. Under the B.C. Human Rights Code, employers cannot refuse to hire or promote a person on the following grounds if they are NOT directly related to the person’s employment, as this would be discrimination:
- Age, race, colour, ancestry, place of origin,
marital status, family status, physical disability,
mental disability, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, political belief, religion, or because the person was found guilty of a crime.
Your job ad cannot mention or discourage applicants based on any of the above factors.
Keep In Mind!
Some applicants may not be familiar with the disability community and may not understand some of the technical terms used within the community. When writing a job description, write for a person who is unfamiliar with disability terms, funding systems, types of disabilities, etc.
Stay away from using abbreviations or slang terms. When possible, write everything out clearly.
Questions?
If you require any further assistance writing a job description, please reach out to Vela Canada at [email protected].
Sample Job Postings
View our sample job postings to help you create a detailed job description.
