Action photographer job description

This post includes 3 parts: duties list, job qualification and job description writing tips for Action photographer in details. A complete job description concludes Action photographer key duties/responsibilities, Action photographer job qualifications (knowledge, education, skills, abilities, experience…KSA model) and other ones such as daily tasks, key activities, key/core competencies, job functions/purpose…

I. List of Action photographer duties:

                  1.            Follow all company and department safety procedures

                  2.            Capture highest quality and expected quantity of  photographs following Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure quality standards and department goals are being met

                  3.            Solid understanding of basic photographic concepts of proper exposure, proper focus;  able to operate and adjust a  DSLR accordingly

                  4.            Comfortable working with a DSLR camera and tethered minicomputer and scanner

                  5.            Willing and able to work outdoors in all weather conditions that one would experience in the alpine environment of the resorts in winter

                  6.            Provide a high level of proactive guest service in all guest interactions

                  7.            Travel to various mountain locations requiring level 7 ski or snowboard skills.  This position skis or snowboards as a means of transportation only.

                  8.            Provide assistance in sales locations

                  9.            Photograph ski school kids following SOPs

              10.            Print and sell 5x7 photos using Windows based photographic software

              11.            Capture/Print & Sell expected quantity of high quality photos to ensure department goals are met

              12.            Provide support to entry level photographers

II. List of Action photographer qualifications

1. High school education or equivalent
2. Basic computer skills
3. Must have the ability to communicate fluently (written and oral) in English
4. Excellent guest service skills
5. Passion for photography
6. Must be outgoing and engaging
7. Must be able and willing to work outdoors in variable weather conditions indicative of the High Alpine environment in winter
8. Ability to stand up to 6 hours during shift
9. Must be able to work weekends, and holidays
10. Must be able to lift 40+ lbs
11. Must be able to commit to scheduled hours and dates
12. Working knowledge of camera settings and how to correct common photographic issues such as out of focus, over and under exposure.
13. Successful completion of a background check
14. Photography Experience 1 year in a professional setting ,
15. Prefer one semester of school photography classes  and or practical professional experience
16. 1 year guest relations experience
17. Cash handling experience
18. Previous retail sales and or customer service experience
19. Level 7 ski or snowboard skills

III. Tips to write job description

1. Too-long job description:

Looking at a too-long job description can frighten the candidates off and drive the away. A job description, no matter how important the job is, should not be included in more than 3 pages. If one focuses on too many things at a time, he shall definitely lose focus on the main items and get overwhelmed by the remaining; So, keep it concisely.

2. Too-short job description:

While too-long can be a problem, too-short is more a problem. It will ruin the meaning of the job description. A too-short one means it lacks necessary details and therefore, the candidate will not be able to understand while reading it.

3. Listing unnecessary functions or job duties:

Just classifying these into the “others” category will save you a lot of effort and space. On the other hand, the job description will become more dilute and easy to be neglected.

4. Key functions

Not listing key functions as required for the job can be a fatal mistake to a job description.

5. Grammar and spelling

Poor grammar and having spelling errors can ruin the job description, too. Never think that as you are the employer, you may have the right to make grammar or spelling errors while requires other not to. A job description with such errors is easily to be mistaken as a fake or ghost ads; as a result, the candidate will turn away from it.

6. Not specific enough:

Be specific and concise; if you don’t address the specific, then what the job description is for. It is for the candidate to understand just exactly what he needs to do or needs to have. Lacking details can confuse the candidates very well.

7. Not having the job description reviewed by others:

This is also a common mistake. One may be subject to bias, but more than one, especially with the help of those external advisor, the job description can be more perfect.

8. Using buzzwords or abbreviations:

In fact, it is not necessary at all to use such in a job description.

9. Using slang or legal words:

Just use common wording to communicate with others and don’t do anything extraordinarily.

10. Not updating the job description:

The same job may require different duties and responsibilities in different times, so, you cannot use the same job description for 2 different times.