The Results-Oriented Science Workplace

Science jobs, whether researching information, conducting experiments or analyzing data, are involved in a lot of detail. When science people are so engrossed in the details of their jobs, it's easy for them, for anyone actually, to lose sight of the job's major contribution.

A Results-Oriented Science Job Description is different from a traditional job description because it focuses an employee on the several job results that answer the question: What results must this science affairs job accomplish for the organization?

Science Job Standards added to job expectations tighten management controls by clarifying how well and when results must be accomplished.

Science Job Objectives establish management and employee plans by highlighting important current and future results needed.

Job-specific Science Employee Management Forms maintain consistent and sciencely sound management actions by basing manager-employee interactions on job results.

The Purpose of Science Jobs

Stated in a results-oriented, three-line style, science affairs jobs--

EXPAND AND APPLY KNOWLEDGE by

studying hypotheses and protocols; identifying resources and equipment requirements; preparing schedules; establishing and conducting investigative approaches; completing experiment logs and records.

Types of Science Jobs

Science jobs concentrate in specific areas of knowledge. Some jobs solve complex problems. Other jobs work with people other side the special knowledge area to help apply the knowledge in practical applications.

Still other jobs manage and conduct projects that yield a successful and useful product. Somebody needs to conduct basic research. And, of course, somebody has to manage and supervise the science people and processes.

Science Job Management Tools

Here are actual job examples of how science affairs job actions can be focused on results and kept on track using each of our job management tools:

Results-Oriented Science Job Descriptions form the foundation of all job management tools. Our uniquely structured job descriptions focus on the result to be accomplished first and prominently, followed by the duties performed in order to accomplish the result. For example,

RECOMMENDS SCIENCE ACTIONS by

analyzing system controls.

Science Job Standards sharpen employee attention and management control by defining and communicating how well the science affairs results must be accomplished and what benchmarks will be used to measure job results. For example, for the job result above, the job standards might be:

• Science situations are correctly understood.
• All options are identified and evaluated.
• Science recommendations are ready when needed.

Science Job Objectives point the direction for employee actions by focusing job efforts on current and future science affairs issues. Job objectives are written in the three-line, results-oriented structure. For example, for the job result above, a job objective might be:

SPEED-UP DECISION MAKING by

reducing time to deliver science affairs recommendations by 10% by (date).

Science Employee Management Forms tied specifically to each science affairs job description are more helpful (and science) than generic forms used for all different kinds of jobs. Job-specific forms are used to state job qualifications, guide job interview questions, orient new employees, plan job training, and appraise job performance.

Science Job Qualifications are stated in the same terms used in the job description. They are not translated into generic (typically behavioral) terms. For example:

RECOMMENDS SCIENCE ACTIONS by

analyzing system controls.

Science Job Interview guide questions are inserted directly below each job result in the job description: For example:

• "What specific job responsibilities have you had in this area?"
• "Where did you have these job responsibilities?"
• "When did you have these job responsibilities?"
• "How did you go about accomplishing these responsibilities?"
• "What accomplishment in this area gave you the most pride?"
• "In this area, what were some of your biggest challenges?"
• "How did you overcome the challenges?"

The Science Job Orientation guide reformats the job description sequence so that job explanations, policies, protocols, processes, and procedures are logical and complete and can easily be checked off. For example:

RECOMMENDS SCIENCE ACTIONS by

analyzing system controls.

The manager might say: "Here's the procedure and format we use to analyze and present science affairs recommendations."

The Science Job Training plan guides a thorough examination of actual job knowledge, skills, and abilities as described in the job description that need improvement or that might be enhanced. For example:

RECOMMENDS SCIENCE ACTIONS by

analyzing system controls.

The manager might say: "Analytical skills would be improved by enrolling in a statistical analysis class."

The Science Job Performance Appraisal guide is a job-specific form. It is not a universal form used for all jobs. The guide adds an appraisal scale below each job result in the job description so that attention can be drawn to each job requirement and expectation. For example:

RECOMMENDS SCIENCE ACTIONS by

analyzing system controls.

__ Great! Just want we wanted.
__ We have a problem.
__ Improvement is needed.
__ Much, much more than we asked for.

Comments: _________________

Science Résumé Template

Potential employers want to know what a job applicant has accomplished in his/her science affairs work career. They don't want to be bored with minor details. Our Résumé Template provides:

• an outline to help assemble personal background information.
• a Results-Oriented Job Description to provide the science affairs job language-focused on results-needed to write an effective résumé.
• Science Job Objectives to orient thinking in terms of accomplishments.
• instructions on how to use a Results-Oriented Science Job Description and Science Job Objectives to express job accomplishments.

Use the science affairs job description responsibility statement as a base:

RECOMMENDS SCIENCE ACTIONS by

analyzing system controls.

Select the science affairs job objective that fits your experience:

REDUCE COSTS 10% by

improving science affairs processes.

Combine the two into a résumé statement:

Reduced costs 10% by analyzing, identifying, and recommending new science affairs system controls.

Science Career Links

U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Library, Careers in Science

Career descriptions, occupational information, lists of graduate, professional and other educational programs, information of interest to multicultural populations.

Public Broadcasting Service, Cool Careers in Science

What real-life scientists have to say about how they chose their work, what they do everyday, and why they enjoy being scientists.

National Academies Press, Careers in Science

What are your career goals?, How can you meet your career goals, What survival skills and personal attributes do you need to succeed?, What education do you need to reach your career goals?, How do you get the job that is right for you?

Science, Science Careers

News and articles.

National Institutes of Health, Office of Science Education

An interactive career exploration web site for middle and high school students, browse for information on more than 100 medical science and health careers by title, education required, interest area, or median salary, generate a customized list of careers especially suited for users' skills and interests, true stories of successful people.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Career Expo, Careers in Earth Science

Skills and abilities required, description of work and contributions.

Thinkquest Junior, Cool Careers in Science and Technology

Careers, college listing, goal setting, résumé, job search, aptitude test, bibliography.

PhDs.org, Science, Math and Engineering Career Resources

Career resources, getting into graduate school, succeeding in graduate school, postdoctoral life, finding a job, career guide for scientists, the big picture.

Think Quest, Discover Science Careers

Career links, message board, career information, questionnaire, interviews.