| Compass II: Today's Leaders, Tomorrow's
Legends reiterates portions of Compass I, and provides entry-level
competencies for the remaining UCs: Resource Stewardship, Fundamental Values,
NPS Operations, Communication Skills, and Problem-solving Skills. It is
a 40-hour classroom course that is available to any NPS unit willing to
host it.
The goals of Compass II are:
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Obtain a solid grounding in National Park
Service (NPS) traditions, values and operations essential in any career
field.
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Acquire a broad knowledge of the variety of
cultural and natural resources of which the NPS is steward; of the philosophical
and legal foundations of the NPS Mission; and of the partners and visitors
who are also dedicated to that Mission.
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State the range of NPS operations and explain
how the diverse operations of the NPS must cooperate and be mutually supportive
in fulfilling the NPS Mission.
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Acknowledge the value of working as a team
in accomplishing the park's mission and goals.
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Acknowledge the value of each individual's
leadership responsibility in fulfilling the NPS Mission.
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Develop a commitment to contributing to a
workplace and to external partnerships based on trust, integrity, respect,
enjoyment and support, embracing individual diversity, values and differences.
The goals are achieved by meeting objectives
in 21 modules covering NPS values, natural and cultural resource stewardship,
partnerships, policy and planning, fundamental values, park operations,
teamwork and problem-solving, and personal responsibility and leadership.
Additionally, there are several concepts
and/or approaches that underlie
Compass II that are not articulated
in the objectives:
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Participants are provided opportunities to
link their personal beliefs with the goals of the NPS, fostering commitment
to the mission and to the organization;
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All topics are presented in the largest context
(e.g., participants are introduced to the Congressional budget cycle, not
how to fill out a DI-1);
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The course emphasizes the need for appreciation
of each discipline's and each individual's role in achieving the NPS Mission
(including specific ways in which we can support each other through communication
and collaboration and avoid territoriality);
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The course introduces basic concepts about
teamwork which is reflected in the lesson plans for all sessions; and,
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Field trips, and group and individual exercises
are used throughout the course with a minimum of lecture-style presentations.
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