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Job Function Analyses Development

What is a Job Function Analysis?

A JFA is a comprehensive analysis and evaluation of a specific job classification.

This includes the following:

• Educational requirements and qualifications for the position
• Knowledge and skills required to succeed on the job
• Objectively measurable physical demands of the job
• Mental and psychological demands of the job
• Description of the work environment

Identification of essential & non-essential functions

So What's a Function?

A function is a group of similar tasks, responsibilities or demands that when combined; represent the work that is required to successfully perform the job in question.

For example, a police officer's job may have 5 main functions:

• Field Duties
• Court Appearances
• Report Writing
• Training
• Communication

Within each of these functions there are specific tasks, responsibilities or demands.

E.G. Field Duties may include patrolling, issuing citations, conducting investigations, dealing with the public & apprehending suspects.

Obviously, there will be situations where certain functions are performed concurrently (communication is an essential aspect of field duties) but the goal is to identify those tasks that constitute an overarching aspect of a job.


What Makes a Function Essential?
An essential function is an activity that IS performed by an employee in a job classification in order to achieve the job objective. This function must be performed by the employee as a requirement of their job and cannot be delegated.

A non-essential function is an activity that MAY be performed by an employee in a job classification but is not critical to the job objective. This function does not have to be performed by the employee and can be delegated.


That's Nice, But How Do You Decide What Constitutes an Essential Function?
RWI has developed a series of questions that help those involved in the development process determine whether a function of essential or non-essential.


These include:

• Do employees who currently hold this job perform this function?
• Would it be difficult to delegate this function to other employees?
• Does the position exist so that this function will be performed?

How Do You Ensure that a JFA is accurate & objective?

The JFA development meeting is the most important part of the process. This includes a sit-down meeting involving an incumbent employee, supervisor (or other employer representative familiar with the job) and an RWI Return-to-Work Consultant.