Entry level photographer job description

This post includes 3 parts: duties list, job qualification and job description writing tips for Entry level photographer in details. A complete job description concludes Entry level photographer key duties/responsibilities, Entry level 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 Entry level 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. Understand basic photographic concepts of proper exposure, proper focus.
4. Comfortable working with a DSLR camera and tethered computer 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

II. List of Entry level 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. Must be able and willing to work outdoors in variable weather conditions indicative of the High Alpine environment in the winter
5. Ability to stand up to 6 hours during shift
6. Must be able to work weekends, and holidays
7. Must be able to lift 40+ lbs
8. Must be able to commit to scheduled hours and dates
9. Successful completion of a background check
10. Excellent guest service skills
11. Passion for photography Prefer one semester of school photography and or practical professional experience.
12. Comfortable working with a DSLR camera
13. Previous retail sales and customer service experience
14. Level 7 ski or snowboard skills.  
15. Cash handling experience

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.