School photographer job description

This post includes 3 parts: duties list, job qualification and job description writing tips for School photographer in details. A complete job description concludes School photographer key duties/responsibilities, School 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 School photographer duties:

                     1.            Pose and photograph students and staff.  Subjects may include: kindergarten through 12th graders, prom & dance, sporting events and special events. 

                     2.            Consistently capture high quality portraits. 

                     3.            Organize materials to ensure necessary equipment and supplies are available on picture day resulting in a smooth picture day process.

                     4.            Assemble equipment at each picture day site.  Maintain equipment in a safe manner and transport between schools according to company guidelines.  

                     5.            Provide clear direction and expectations for parents, school personnel, and student helpers regarding their role in Picture Day.

                     6.            Accurately complete and ship all required picture day materials within assigned timelines.

                     7.            Work closely with staff to establish appropriate work flow of classrooms and effectively resolve any issues.

                     8.            Represent Lifetouch in a professional manner at all times while adhering to all Company and school rules and policies.

                     9.            Display confidence and professionalism at all times.

                 10.            Use safe work habits, including proper lifting and safe driving.

                 11.            Maintain confidentiality of school and student related information.

II. List of School photographer qualifications

         1.            High school diploma or equivalent

         2.            Excellent customer service, communication, and interpersonal skills

         3.            Ability to effectively interact with school age children and adults

         4.            Previous experience working with children preferred

         5.            Ability to work with minimal supervision as well as in a team environment

         6.            Willing to work a varied seasonal schedule, including early mornings and long days

         7.            Demonstrate a positive and professional image

         8.            Reliable insured transportation to reach assigned locations and to transport several pieces of photography equipment.  Vehicle insurance must be current and in compliance with state law.

         9.            Must have a valid driver’s license

     10.            Ability to lift and operate camera equipment

     11.            Ability to travel up to 50 - 100 mile radius depending on territory

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.