Looking for work: Job Description: So how common is this sort of thing . . .

[patrice]

Part of a description for a position referred to as a Communications Specialist . . .

Not in the Requirements but listed as Personal Attributes & Values:

• Is a consistent witness for Jesus Christ
• Exhibits spiritual maturity as defined by traditional Biblical Standards
• Adheres to ____________ Rescue Mission's Statement of Faith and Code of Ethics
• Possesses and demonstrates excellent integrity
• Composed and professional
• Collaborative team player and self starter

That's the first time I've ever seen anything like that. How do you suppose they go about figuring out whether you have these Personal Attributes & Values and what if you don't, but you meet or exceed the Requirements?

[ComerPerro]

1. what is the employer? That's odd

[magellan]

2. Looks like a faith-based rescue mission

Non-profit?

[patrice]

5. A city.

I didn't want to give the name of the city, since I'm thinking about applying for it.

Could be a private mission though, even with a city's name. I'll go back and look to see if I can tell, since there'd be some government office if it were for the city.

[The_Casual_Observer]

3. A "faith based" charity can pretty much make that stuff a requirement.

[Journeyman]

4. I'd say they want you -- the prospective employee -- to know what they expect. . .

should you be hired. And if you don't fit the job description (are not a witness for Christ, exhibit a spiritual maturity at odds with their understanding of the Bible, or fail to adhere to their Mission's Faith and Code of Ethics), they're going to feel justified in firing you.

So I'd say they're just doing their best to Communicate their Specialties. Nothing wrong with that, especially given it's a faith-centered business.

[patrice]

7. Oh, I get it now. They won't be assessing those qualities, much

beyond asking a couple of questions probably. It's more for IF there's something they find troubling after the hire you.

I was just trying to figure out how any of that could be part of the hiring (or non-hiring) process.

[Journeyman]

10. Yes, I believe you're right -- they won't assess those qualities in the interview. . .

how could they? -- but they expect a certain level of behavior once you're hired.

Reading down thread, I see you've decided not to apply. I suggest -- if you are a Christian, and don't find some public expression of your faith a problem -- that you go ahead and apply for the position. During the interview, ask about their Attributes and Values in greater depth: Tell them you witness for Christ through your life, but don't feel comfortable with public expressions: it was Jesus' teaching, after all, to not pray on the streetcorners but to do so in the privacy of your home. Try to find out what they mean by "spiritual maturity," and how you might adhere to their Mission statement and code of ethics. You may find their requirements are not out of line with your own life and they may not be as rigid in their demands as it seems on the surface.

I don't know your situation, Patrice, and I'm more agnostic than religious, but I'd hate to see you pass on a job that may be a good match for you, once you get beyond the superficial level of an advertisement.

Good luck. I hope you find something soon.

[Up2Late]

6. It better be a Private "faith-base" organization that gets ZERO money from Taxes...

...otherwise, they are violating several laws against Religious Discrimination, because that "...a consistent witness for Jesus Christ..." eliminates most religions other than Evangelical Christians.

[patrice]

8. Yeah, it's kind of creepy.

You probably better go around saying "Praise Jesus" often enough on occassions deemed appropriate by the groups unique social conventions or you'll be found wanting on that score and could even be fired (?).

I don't think I will apply for it afterall.

[Breeze54]

9. 'the "right-to-discriminate" provision' - Allow Providers of Job Training to Discriminate

Federal Funding of Faith-Based Services

http://usliberals.about.com/od/faithinpubliclife/a/Funds_Faith2.htm

snip-->

What changed was the President Bush's first Executive Order of his presidency authorizing establishment
of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, followed by H.R. 1261.
"Community Services Block Grant Act of 2003 - Job Training Reauthorization/Bill to Provide
Federal Assistance of Job Training Programs and Allow Providers of Job Training to Discriminate
by Using an Individual's Religion as a Factor in Hiring Decisions."

It's commonly referred to as the "right-to-discriminate" provision because it allows a faith-based
service provider to follow its own dictates and not federal guidelines, in its hiring practices for
federally-funded programs. It allows churches to adhere solely to their interpretation of God's will
in their program's hiring decisions, and not federal regulations.

$1 billion of taxpayers' funds were gifted in 2003 to social services providers who may freely
discriminate in their hiring practices when using those funds.