Day 13: The Civil Service System
Daniel J. Mallinson
Political Science
Stockton University
[email protected]
POLS 2180
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Road map
Finish discussing modern tools for reforming
organizations
Learn about how the civil service system evolved in
the United States
Discuss its benefits and challenges
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The Problem
The foreign-domestic divide
Disunity in the intelligence community
Weak system for processing and sharing information
Weak Congressional oversight of Intelligence and
Homeland Security
FBI shied from domestic surveillance
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Modern Reform Strategies
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Downsizing
Reengineering
Continuous Improvement
Transparent Performance
Define your strategy (what does it entail?). What are its
advantages and disadvantages? What would it look like
as an alternative to creating the Department of Homeland
Security?
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Continuous Improvement
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Continuous Improvement
Bottom-up
Focus on quality of product and motivation of
employees
Humanistic
Think small
Also treats citizens as customers
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Continuous Improvement
Advantages?
Disadvantages?
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Transparent Performance
Obama Administration
Just tinkering with the vending machine will not work
Virtual outreach
Managers set goals, held accountable
Data dump
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Transparent Performance
Advantages?
Disadvantages?
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A Toolbox
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Debate
Should government have the best workforce possible? Or
simply a competent one? What is required to have the
best workforce?
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The Civil Service
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Core Principles
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Employees hired by merit
Pay according to position
Protection from political interference and dismissal
Obligation to accountability
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History
Constitution does not define appointment of
lower-level officials
Failures of Spoils System and Political Machines
Reform started in the states (NY)
Agenda setting: Assassination of Garfield (1881)
Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act (1883)
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The Pendleton Act of 1883
Principles
Competitive, merit-based, hiring
Political firings and demotions illegal
No political donations solicited on federal property
Creation of Civil Service Commission
Only covered 10% of federal jobs
Expanded strategically by successive presidents
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Modernization of the Civil Service
Large expansion of government’s role
Theodore Roosevelt - Father of the Civil Service
Roosevelt reforms:
Definition of “just cause” for dismissal
Restrictions on political activity
Job survey
Position classification system
Taft: Creation of workforce training program
Civil Service Reform Act of 1978: Abolished CSC,
creates Office of Personnel Management
Increasing use of non-civil service hires
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Personal Experience
Has anyone every applied for a government job? What
was your experience?
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Personnel Steps
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Fundamental Elements of Civil Service
Position classification
Staffing
Compensation
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Position Classification
2 dimensions: occupation and difficulty/responsibility
Challenges: match between test and necessary skills;
fluid job descriptions; grade creep; over-tailoring of
job ads
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Position Classification
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/2017/general-schedule/
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Staffing
USA Jobs
NJ Civil Service
Tests, Knowledge-Skills-Abilities, Resumes
Rule of 3
Alternative pathways: internships; recent graduate;
PMF
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Special Circumstances
Veterans’ Preference
5 points for veteran
10 points for disabled veteran
Diversity
Social goals of hiring: redress discrimination and
representative bureaucracy
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Special Circumstances
Veterans’ Preference
5 points for veteran
10 points for disabled veteran
Diversity
Social goals of hiring: redress discrimination and
representative bureaucracy
Should merit be the ONLY criteria for hiring? Why or
why not?
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Compensation
More than pay
Challenging/meaningful work, impact, location,
supervisor, work conditions, prospect for promotion,
fringe benefits
Difficulty of private sector parity
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Compensation
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Compensation
More than pay
Challenging/meaningful work, impact, location,
supervisor, work conditions, prospect for promotion,
fringe benefits
Difficulty of private sector parity
Challenges of equity and comparable worth
Morale is important
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Debate
Is there a better way? What are the advantages of this
system? What are the disadvantages?
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