In this course, you will conduct an interview to gather information for the assignments. The assignment scenario and interview guidelines are provided in the PAD530 Scenario for Assignment [DOCX] document. Also, please read the PAD530 Interview Guide [DOCX] that shows how the guidelines apply to the assignments in this course and aids in the planning of questions for the interview. Briefly, Strayer University interview guidelines include the following:

• The purpose of the   assignment is to train students in interview/research methods, not to      develop or contribute to research that can be applied to situations beyond      that studied or that is created to share with others outside of the local      academic setting.
• No publication of  projects containing the results of or information from the interviews is      allowed, including publication in social media, blogs, or the Internet      generally. The interview findings may only be shared in the class.
• When presenting the results of their interviews to their instructor and/or classmates, students may not disclose personally identifiable information about an      interviewee, unless they have received written permission from the      interviewee as verified by their instructor.
• All interviewees must be      at least 18 years old.

· Rationale and Analysis for Agency Selected

· Preparation

· Scenario for Assignments

· Please note, the assignments in this course build upon one another.

· For these assignments, you will take on the role of a consultant for a government agency. Your consulting firm has been asked by the agency to conduct background research, interview agency representatives, compile a report, and provide recommendations for improvement of their personnel management system. The first role of the consultant is to become familiar with the agency, its departments, and key actors. You will develop the assignment in four parts, submitting each to your supervisor (your professor) who will review and grade your efforts.

Interview Guidelines

Use the PAD530 Interview Guide [DOCX] provided for this assignment. Read and follow the Strayer University Interview guidelines included in the document.

Instructions

1. Select a federal or      state public agency.
2. Research the literature      regarding issues that involve the selected agency and public      administration in general.
3. Interview one      representative of the agency’s department for the different sections of      the paper. (Interviews can be conducted in person, by phone, or by an      electronic method such as email or your favorite video conferencing app.)      See Guidelines for Interview Assignment at Strayer University (below).
4. Write a 3–4 page paper,      titled “Rationale and Analysis for Agency Selected.” Complete      the following:
   • Provide background       information about the agency’s key historical events, mission, and       goals/objectives (title this section “Introduction”).
   • Describe at least three       functions of this agency, highlighting the public it serves (title this       section “Agency Functions”).
   • Analyze at least two       current events involving the agency that might have implications for       personnel management (title this section “Agency News”).
   • Explain your rationale       for selecting this agency with at least two justifiable reasons (title this       section “Rationale for Selecting Agency”).
   • Appropriately       incorporate at least four quality sources. A quality source can be either       popular, such as a news article, or scholarly, such as peer-reviewed       works. In the case of public administration, government websites are       appropriate quality resources. Note:       Wikipedia, SparkNotes, and similar websites do not qualify as academic       resources. Go to Basic Search: Strayer       University Online Library to conduct research.

This course requires the use of Strayer Writing Standards. For assistance and information, please refer to the Strayer Writing Standards link in the left-hand menu of your course. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.

The course learning outcome associated with this assignment is:

• Analyze the key      historical, legislative, and ethical dimensions of public personnel      management within a federal or state agency.