Descriptions for faculty positions most often will include the following points. Most of these are applicable to academic staff positions as well, if slightly modified.

1. Title of position (may be a range such as Assistant or Associate Professor)
2. Duties expected: the major focus of the position in some detail
3. Qualifications: education and/or experience requirements (see below)
4. Credentials
5. Specialization areas
6. Salary range
7. When position begins; tenure track or not; contract period (9 months, etc.)
8. Request a letter which addresses the requirements of the position
9. Request for a current résumé
10. Request for three to five references. Asking for transcripts and/or reference letters with the initial application tends to reduce the number of applications. They would then be requested only for the finalists.
11. A deadline for receipt (or post mark). If not a deadline, then it can be stated that review of applications will begin on [date]. Another suggestion might be: “Applications will be considered beginning [date].” This informs the candidates of the date by which they should apply for full consideration, but allows you to consider later applications.
12. Name and address of Chair of Search and Screen Committee
13. Nothing in the description may be discriminatory (e.g., age, sex, national origin, etc.). Subtle discrimination is often hard to spot, such as requirements that preclude certain undergraduate institutions.

See a sample position announcement for faculty and a sample position announcement for non-teaching staff for ideas about good ads.

Good statements:

• Applicants must have a minimum of five years experience in a similar full-time position at a college or university, preferably with direct involvement in one or more of the areas of responsibility outlined above.
• at least three years of progressively responsible professional experience in a registrar’s office
• a minimum of five years professional experience in higher education
• MLS from an ALA accredited school and an advanced degree in a humanities subject; 3+ years professional experience working with rare books in an academic library...
• The successful candidate will possess a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree is preferred, with a thorough knowledge of federal and state laws regarding student records, professional experience in the implementation of student information systems....
• a master’s degree with at least seven years of progressive experience and demonstrated success in admissions and enrollment....
• a minimum of five years experience in the management of a major administrative program...
• [number] years of full-time teaching experience at the post-secondary level is preferred.
• Required: All requirements for a doctorate in mathematics education completed by August 1, 2005, current or previous teaching licensure or certification at the elementary or secondary level. Preferred: at least two years of teaching experience at either the elementary, middle, or high school level and the equivalent of a master’s degree or higher in one of the mathematical sciences.

All advertisements must end with one of the following:

Long Ad:

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville, an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, seeks to build a diverse faculty and staff and encourages applications from women and persons of color. The names of nominees and applicants who have not requested in writing that their identities be kept confidential, and of all finalists, will be released upon request.

Short Ad:

EEO/AA Employer

All advertisements must contain the following:

All advertisements must contain the following as part of the application instructions:

The candidate must provide a separate statement describing a history of working with or demonstrated commitment to addressing issues of race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, and/or other issues of historic marginalization.

You may wish to include something like the following:

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville, founded in 1866, enrolls approximately 6,800 students in primarily undergraduate programs in 40 majors, including institutional emphasis areas of middle level education, engineering, technology management, agriculture, and criminal justice. The campus is located in scenic southwest Wisconsin’s largest and most historic community. UW-Platteville is recognized as a cultural and educational center for the Tri-State Region of Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin.