Identify two position descriptions. These are readily available through the central HR office of the university or through a government Website such as the central personnel site for the state. After two position descriptions have been identified, the class could divide into teams to deconstruct the position descriptions in the context of the task inventory approach to job analysis discussed in this chapter.

-Using the position description, identify the tasks that would be performed by the job incumbent. Identify only tasks that are readily discerned from the position description.

-Are all the tasks that one might assume to be part of what the job incumbent would do apparent from the position description? What noteworthy tasks might be missing?

-Select five of the tasks that were clearly identifiable through the position description and develop a rank order of the five tasks performed by the job incumbent according to the level of difficulty (e.g., 5 is most difficult and 1 is least difficult).

-Develop a second rank order of the same five tasks according to the relative frequency with which the task is performed.

two positions chosen: assistant professor and associate professor.

-Assistant professor: is an entry-level faculty member, whom are also called "tenure track professors" and a college or university hires them with the hopes that they will earn tenure. They usually have a six-year contract, and in the fifth year they apply for tenure.

-The Assistant Professor's responsibilities include teaching a requisite number of classes, providing guidance and supervision to graduate students, participating in departmental meetings, and providing academic support to Professors and other faculty members.

-Associate professor: is one step up from an assistant professor. This promotion is usually the same as getting tenure, but not always.

-The Associate Professor's responsibilities include teaching a number of classes and seminars, attending conferences, conducting research, and supervising students. You should be able to collaborate with colleagues, advise teaching assistants, and tackle several administrative tasks.