Discharged, having only some scarce duties (5)
I believe the answer is:
arced
'discharged' is the definition.
(electrical discharge)
'only some scarce duties' is the wordplay.
'only some' says the answer is hidden in the clue.
'ARCED' is hidden within 'scarce duties'.
'having' is the link.
(Other definitions for arced that I've seen before include "Moved in a curve" , "Curvy" , "made bow?" , "Cared about being curved" , "Forming a curve" .)