Public works management role and structure : activity and staff civil engineers in the public works center

Abstract

This thesis explores the structural and organizational changes in public works management which have had some unforseen consequences for Public Works Centers, Activity Civil Engineers and Staff Civil Engineers in the United States Navy. Initially, research was conducted by written survey, compilation of Public Works Centers Commanding Officers ' comments, and review of historical data. This was followed by personal interviews with Activity Civil Engineers, Staff Civil Engineers, and Public Works Center's senior Civil Engineer Corps and civil service managers in San Diego, California. Findings concerning the public works management environment in the Navy and the perceptions of Commands and individuals regarding Activity Civil Engineer and Staff Civil Engineer billets are presented. The relationships and implications of these findings are discussed and some recommendations are made which are intended to improve total public works management support of Fleet commands in the unilinear Navy.