Assignment: Rationale for Agency Selected
For this and the following assignments, which will become a major part of your portfolio, you will take on the role of a consultant for a government agency. The first role of the consultant is to familiarize yourself with the agency, its departments, and key actors. Select a local, county, state, or federal agency and a department within the agency. Usually, you can find contact information on their Websites.
After selecting an agency and department, you are expected to:
1. Provide a rationale for your selection, and research the agency and department.
2. Interview at least two (2) representatives of the agency's department for the different sections of the paper. (If you can obtain more than two (2) different interviews, do so. The more perspectives, the better. Interviews can be conducted in person, by phone, or by an electronic method such as email.)
3. Research the literature regarding issues that involve the selected agency and public administration in general.
Assume the role of a consultant who works for a consulting firm that has asked you to research this agency and file a report with the Vice President (VP) of Accounts and Client Support.
Write a two to three (2-3) page paper, titled Part I: Background of and Rationale for the {Selected Agency} in which you separate the content into sections:
1. Provide background information about the agency and its department, mission, and its goals / objectives.
2. Describe three to five (3-5) functions of this agency. (Title this section Functions of the Agency.)
3. Analyze two to three (2-3) current events involving the agency.
4. Explain the rationale for selecting this agency with two to three (2-3) justifiable reasons. (Title this section Rationale.)
5. List four to five (4-5) academic sources and government Websites you expect to access in your research. (Include no more than one (1) non-government Website.)
Some Websites you may want to access are:
• U.S. Government Printing Office located at https://www.gpo.gov/
• The Federal Register located at https://www.federalregister.gov/
• U.S. Government Accountability Office located at https://www.gao.gov/
• American Society for Public Administrators located at https://www.aspanet.org/public/
When using these sites, please make sure they follow APA formatting within the text and on the Reference Page.
The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:
• Examine the basic components and functions of public sector administration.
• Recommend ways to improve specific areas of public administration.
• Use technology and information resources to research issues in public administration.
• Write clearly and concisely about public administration using proper writing mechanics.