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Managerial Professionalism in State Fish and Wildlife Agencies: A Survey of Duties, Attitudes, and Needs
Author(s) -
Hunter Richard G.
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
fisheries
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.725
H-Index - 79
eISSN - 1548-8446
pISSN - 0363-2415
DOI - 10.1577/1548-8446(1984)009<0002:mpisfa>2.0.co;2
Subject(s) - agency (philosophy) , wildlife , government (linguistics) , fish <actinopterygii> , perception , state (computer science) , training (meteorology) , public relations , psychology , business , medical education , management , political science , fishery , sociology , geography , ecology , medicine , biology , social science , linguistics , philosophy , algorithm , neuroscience , meteorology , computer science , economics
The director, assistant director, fisheries and wildlife chiefs, and assistant chiefs of each state's fish and wildlife agency were surveyed to determine relationships between managerial and technical functions. Information on age, sex, education, career patterns, training needs, and job tasks and perceptions was also obtained. Directors had the most diverse educational backgrounds and assistant chiefs were the best educated group. Almost 90% of these individuals had state government backgrounds. Most duties performed were managerial, an area where few respondents had formal training. The majority thought additional training in managerial subjects would improve their job performance, while few thought added technical training would be beneficial. Almost no agencies required formal managerial training after hiring and most managers did not seek such training. Managerial skills were learned on the job, which appears to adversely affect the agencies. A high percentage of directors, assistant directors, and chiefs were promoted directly from assistant chief or field biologist positions.