The Public Service Perspective competency centers on the values and ethical foundations that guide public sector leadership. This section explores the ethical responsibilities and dilemmas encountered by public administrators, emphasizing integrity and values-based decision-making. It also examines how core public service principles, such as transparency, equity, and public trust, can be woven into policy development and management practices.

Ethical and Privacy Considerations of Immersive Technology for Veterans

This analysis explores the ethical and privacy implications of immersive technology used by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to deliver virtual healthcare to Veterans. It highlights insights from the 2024 VA Immersive Summit, where experts emphasized the importance of transparency, data ownership, and equitable access. The paper outlines four core ethical principles—stewardship, proportionality, equity, and choice—that must guide the implementation of such innovations. It calls for inclusive planning that prioritizes security and trust while ensuring all Veterans benefit from technological advancements.

Goal Ambiguity of the New York City Department of Veterans’ Services

This paper examines the challenges of goal ambiguity within the New York City Department of Veterans’ Services (DVS), a relatively new agency tasked with supporting Veterans and their families. It critiques the agency’s mission statement for lacking specificity and highlights the importance of clearer goals to provide direction for both employees and the populations they serve. Calling for the public service values of transparency, accountability, and equity, it recommends adopting achievement-oriented leadership and path-goal theory to strengthen DVS’s mission, ensuring greater clarity, focus, and impact for the agency’s work.