2. 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/bro
wse/generalist/specialist
3. 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
4. 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
5. 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
7. 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
8. 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?
10. 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 Parks
Commissioner Bob Fiacco
11. 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
12. 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
13. Chenango Valley State Park
http://www.
nysparks.co
m/parks/41/d
etails.aspx
Amenities 185
campsites
24 cabins 1
golf course
2 Lakes and
swimming
1 Nature
center
1 boat house
14. 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
15. 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
16. 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
17. 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
18. 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)
19. Local Parks
Camillus Park System
Director Eric Bacon
Earned 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 pool
1 ice skating rink
1 senior center
1 Octagon House
Small lake
20. 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
21. 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
22. 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)
24. 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.”
25. 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?
26. 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. GAO
Report. 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.
27. McLane,B. (2/23/12). Personal communication
Napolean 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=
72
New York map image. Retrieved on March 29, 2012
from http://images.search.yahoo.com
Shelley, 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
