Civil Service Supervisor Principles of Public Administration Flashcards
7 cards from real Civil Service Supervisor Exam practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Civil Service Supervisor Principles of Public Administration flashcards as text
In public administration, 'span of control' refers to:
Answer: The number of subordinates a supervisor directly manages
Span of control is the number of employees a single supervisor can effectively manage directly.
Which ethical obligation requires civil servants to avoid situations where personal interests could influence official decisions?
Answer: Conflict of interest avoidance
Civil servants must avoid conflicts of interest to ensure public decisions are made impartially, not for personal gain.
A supervisor who practices 'management by walking around' (MBWA) is primarily trying to:
Answer: Stay informed and build relationships through informal, direct contact
MBWA helps supervisors stay connected to frontline operations and staff morale through regular informal interaction.
Which term describes the phenomenon where government agencies tend to grow in size and budget over time, regardless of their actual workload?
Answer: Parkinson's Law
Parkinson's Law states that 'work expands to fill the time available,' often used to explain bureaucratic growth.
When developing a departmental budget request, a supervisor should FIRST:
Answer: Identify program objectives and estimate the resources needed to achieve them
Sound budgeting begins with defining program goals, then determining what resources are needed to accomplish them.
A supervisor overhears a subordinate making a discriminatory remark to a colleague. The supervisor's immediate obligation is to:
Answer: Intervene and address the behavior in accordance with agency policy
Supervisors have a duty to address discriminatory conduct promptly; inaction can constitute condoning the behavior.
The principle of 'unity of command' in classical administrative theory means that:
Answer: Each employee should receive orders from only one supervisor
Unity of command prevents confusion by ensuring each worker has a single, clear reporting relationship.