Generalist verses Specialist
Transcript of Generalist verses Specialist
Generalist verses Specialist which position is more valuable?
May Faulk
What is a generalist compared to a specialist?
Generalist
“ a person whose knowledge, aptitudes, and skills are applied to a field as a whole or to a variety of different fields”
(opposed to specialist).
Specialist
“a person who devotes himself or herself to one subject or to one particular branch of a subject or pursuit”
Reference: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/generalist/specialist
In today’s competitive society organizational learning or the ability to acquire new knowledge by adapting and integrating previous knowledge learned into fitting the mission of your organization is highly sought commodity. This ability allows companies to expand and modify their capabilities while preventing rigidity in the work force (Kang &Snell, 2008).
According to Meadow and Soden (1988) because so many generalist duties are now imposed on conservation wardens the specialized knowledge that distinguished them whether it was knowing fish, wildlife or natural resources could be jeopardized to accomplish additional jobs duties (Cited in Shelley & Crow, 2009).
Can everyone adapt? Can specialists become generalist for their job and is it necessary?
Generalists verses Specialists
Two types of knowledge and how each is acquired
Generalists Multi-skilled Able to be adapt across
curriculums Acquire less deep
knowledge of topics When searching for
information they integrate different disciplines having a broad focus
Open to new problem solving methods using a variety of tools
Specialist • Domain specific• Deeper knowledge • More localized • When searching for
information they learn deeper knowledge in a narrow field within specific areas.
• They focused on proven methods used previously less willing to improvise.
Reference: Kang & Snell, 2008
County---Broome County Parks in NY –
Commissioner Bob Faicco
State--Chenango Valley State Park in Chenango Forks, NY Park Manager Mike Boyle
Federal ---Women’s Rights Park in Seneca Falls, NY--Human Resources Gene Freeze
Local---Camillus Park System in NY –
Director Eric Bacon
Interviewed management officials from four different parks
SymbolsCamillus Park SystemWoman’s Rights Museum Broome County ParksChenango Valley State Park
Please indicate which positions requires generalists and which require specialists.
How many specialists’ verses generalists’ positions are in your park?
In regard to yearly budgetary considerations is more money set aside for generalists’ or specialists’ positions?
How much of an increase in staff numbers occur during the summer season and is this your busiest season?
Does the park depend on volunteer labor during the summer months or other times of the year? Is there a local volunteer ‘Friends’ group? If so, what are they called?
Questions asked
Do you have Americore positions or Student Conservation Association (SCA)?
How do you utilize the special talents of your generalists; for example, if a person has historical background or specialized skills in maintenance can they apply them on the job?
Do your specialist positions require a civil service exam or is a higher education degree such as a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in history more relevant for the position?
More Question?
Broome County Park System
Dorchester Park Veteran’s Arena
Forum theater
Began as the Water Specialist as a teenager Studied Outdoor Recreation in
college and earned his Bachelor of Science degree.
Worked in multiple parks for more than 20 years
“Parks formerly had more specialists such as a Park Designer, Architect and Arborist with continuous loss of funding in the last 15 years only money for multi-projects so need generalists.” Bob Fiacco
Less likely to utilize skills of generalist unless it involves maintenance skill.
Broome County ParksCommissioner Bob Fiacco
9 County parks
Greenwood, Dorchester, Nathaniel Cole, Hawkins Pond, Grippen, Otsiningo, Round Top, Bagsai, and Aqua-Terra
1 Nature Center
1 Arena -Veterans
1 Golf Course
1 Forum theater
Employees 35 permanent and many seasonal staff
Look familiar
Emeraldville Park Study
Broome County Park System
Specialists 2 Environmental Educators
Seasonal lifeguards
2 Golf pro’s
1 Park Operations Manager
Arena ---need Business degrees and Recreation degrees
1 Manager
1 Assistant Manager
1 Assistant Recreation Facility Manager
1 Box Office Manager
1 Assistant Box Office Manager
Generalists 6 Park Managers and
Assistants (college degrees or extensive experience)
Maintenance & Construction many during high season May-Sept.
Generalists with specialists skill in electricity & plumbing
Most employees can do all work necessary from making building to cutting grass
Most seasonal staff maintenance
Arena --Custodial staff
Arena--Ushers arena
Chenango Valley State Park
http://www.nysparks.com/parks/41/details.aspx
Amenities 185 campsites24 cabins 1 golf course2 Lakes and swimming 1 Nature center 1 boat house
Degree in Recreation from SUNY Oswego worked in New York State Parks for more than 15 years.
Assistant Manager at two state parks
Rockefeller—Palisades region
Jones Beach—Long Island
“Park Managers must have people skills (communication) and high scores on civil service test not necessarily best person for the job.” Mike Boyle
“Each park has hierarchy system and specific job needs; for example, historic parks may need more specialist like historians and CVSP may need more generalists like maintenance.” Mike Boyle
Chenango Valley State Park(CVSP) Manager Mike Boyle
Specialists Generalists
8 Seasonal lifeguards
1 Head lifeguard
1 Recreation specialist
2 Golf pro’s
2 Rangers security
1 Park Manager
1 Assistant Manager
12 Maintenance
6 Seasonal staff
Utilize talents of generalists with specialist skills
Carpenter
Also use volunteer groups Friends of (CVSP) need to meet state regulation standards for chainsaw use to help remove debris or work on trails.
Boy Scouts and parents.
Complete Eagle Scout projects such as fishing line boxes.
ESF in Syracuse with science projects or interns
Started as a seasonal employee in maintenance division.
Earned Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting
Working on MS in Human Resources
8 years on the job
Federal Park Women’s Rights National Historic Park
Human Resources Gene Freeze
Source: www.nps.gov/wori/index.htm
Almost equal amount of generalists and specialists
Specialists 4 seasonal interpreters of
history (SUNY) Cortland students
1 Cultural Resource Historian
1 Chief Division Specialist
Generalists 1 Human Resources and
accounting
3 Maintenance
2 additional seasonal maintenance
Budget
Generalists
specialists
During slow season there are part time employees in interpretation as well as maintenance thus both generalists and specialists are equally employed.
During the busy season staff doubles in number to approximately 20 people.
To include Americore and SCA interns if available
• Two Friends of WRNHP volunteer groups (local and national chapters) help with special events, Facebook, twitter and as needed during the year using their talents in specialization such as advertising etc.
Also a volunteer with specialization skills in historic preservation utilized.
Women’s Rights National Historic Park(WRNHP)
Local Parks Camillus Park System
Director Eric BaconEarned Bachelor of Science in Recreation Management from SUNY Cortland
Worked for park system since graduation or 10 years and is Director of 8 parks: Bicentennial, Camillus, Erie Canal , Munro, Reed Webster, Veteran’s Memorial, and Scenic Warner’s Park.
Source: http://townofcamillus.com/default.aspx?PageID=638
Amenities:1 pool1 ice skating rink 1 senior center1 Octagon HouseSmall lake
Camillus Park System
There are eight parks and over 850 acres of parkland maintained by the Parks & Recreation Department. These following facilities offer amenities such as playgrounds, picnic pavilions, ball fields, swimming, ice skating, fishing, hiking, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, snowmobiling, horseback riding, and summer youth programs.
Erie Canal Park Veteran’s Memorial Park
Specialists 25 Lifeguards for pools and lake
Programs instructors varies
Karate
Tae kwon Do
Kickboxing
Fitness
Zumba
Seasonal camp staff
Percent of money for program goes to park revenue
1 Zamboni Operator for ice rink
Generalists
Park Managers
Assistant managers
maintenance
12 seasonal staff for ice rink
Summer seasonal staff
No Americore or SCA
Friends groups for the Octagon House more than a hundred.
Camillus Canal Society
Budget
Generalists
specialists
The human resource position is changing to focus hiring fewer specialists and more generalists who have the ability to actively play a role in the strategic mission of the organization (GOA, para 3, 2003).
According to the General Accounting Office (GAO)
Federal Human Capital Workforce: Percentage of Generalists and Specialists
Commission Brian McLane statement
“The most valuable employee is a specialist with 2 or 3 other skill types that can be a benefit to the company.”
In Conclusion:
Napoleon Hill stated
“Everyone enjoys doing the kind of work for which he is best suited.”
Source: Power and Performance(2003)
Which position is the best?
Resources
Bacon, E. (2/29/2012). Personal communication.
Boyle, M.(3/21/2012). Personal communication
Broome County Parks (2011). Retrieved on April 1, 2012 from
Chenango Valley State Park. (2011). Home. Retrieved on March 10, 2101 from http://www.nysparks.com/parks/41/details.aspx
Fiaco, B. ((3/15/2012). Personal communication
Freeze.G. (3/26/2012). Personal communication
GAO (2003). Human capital selected agency actions to integrate human capital approaches to attain mission. GAOReport. 03-446.
http://www.gao.gov/assets/240/237790.pdf
Kang, S., C. & Scott., A. S. (January , 2009). Intellectual capitol architectures and ambidextrous learning: A framework for human resource management. Journal of Management Studies. 46(1), 65-92.
McLane,B. (2/23/12). Personal communicationNapolean H. (2002-2003). Power and Performance.Motivational and inspirational quotes. Retrieved on April 10, 2012 from http://www.motivational-inspirational-corner.com/getquote.html?startrow=11&categoryid=72New York map image. Retrieved on March 29, 2012 from http://images.search.yahoo.comShelley, T., O.& Crow, M., S. (2009). The nature and extent of conservation policing: Law enforcement generalists or conservation specialists? American Journal of Crime Justice. 34, 9-27.Town of Camillus. Parks and Recreation. Retrieved on March 29, 2012 from http://www. camillus.com/Woman’s Rights National Monument. (2011). Home. Retrieved on April 4, 2011 from