Written Assignment

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Part 1 of Organizational Profile - Overview

1. In two or three paragraphs, describe your department or agency. If you are not a member of an emergency services organization, then select a department that you can easily access information. This will become the framework for some additional written assignments. It is important that your instructor can evaluate those assignments within this frame of reference.
   
   Include in your description such things as size, type (career, volunteer, combination), mission, location, number of personnel and stations, call volume, equipment fleet, budget, and current personnel allocation. List services provided to the public and what services might be added to satisfy community needs. Include a brief description of the community / county in which it is located and how it is funded.


2. While attempts to forecast the future tend not to be 100% accurate, the fact remains that a professional and truly competent personnel manager must be able to anticipate personnel needs of an organization in the future. You may need to conduct some research in order to respond (such as, past turnover in the organization, current ages and length of service, city estimates of population and tax base growth). If this information is not readily available, develop your own set of assumptions ("best guesses" and your reasons for them) and proceed from there.
1. Estimate the turnover expected within the next five year period and identify its sources (i.e. retirements, voluntary and involuntary severance, disabilities, etc.).
2. Based on the above information, estimate the number of entry level and promotional positions which will likely need to be filled over the next five years. Briefly describe the job functions of these positions. (Example: Five entry level firefighters for fire suppression; one promotion to assistant chief in charge of training).
3. Identify and briefly describe as necessary any positions that are likely to be eliminated. Explain why you anticipate their elimination.


3. Comment on how the changing demographics of the workforce have affected your organization.
1. Address current racial, ethnic, gender, and age diversity within your agency. How well do the demographics of your department reflect the community in which it is located (i.e. racial, ethnic, gender)?
2. Comment on the differences and commonalities you perceive within your department. How are the differences mediated?
3. Edwards identifies five characteristics of a positive work environment. With reference to the diversity within your department, how does your organization "measure up"?

You are expected to backup your opinion with sources. You should be prepared to cite approximately 3-5 sources. Be sure to credit all sources. The length of this assignment will vary depending on the type of department you are analyzing and how succinctly you can make your points. The assignment should be somewhere in the range of 5-7 pages. You can visit Diana Hacker's Research and Documentation Online at http://www.dianahacker.com/resdoc/ to find complete examples of how to cite sources.

General Instructions for Written Assignments

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Your written assignment is intended to test your understanding of important concepts and sharpen your intellectual skills of analysis, synthesis, evaluation, and application. The intent of the written assignment is to provide an opportunity to more fully describe, explain, and analyze the books and other sources.

There are three main resources that will enable you to successfully complete written assignments:

1. Writing Resource Center - link here for access to writing resources developed by Empire State College and the Genesee Valley Center Writing Program.
2. Hamilton College's Nesbitt-Johnston Writing Center - link here for general writing advice.
3. Empire State College's Writer's Complex - link here for writing tips and assistance.

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