Public Administration for Planners: Leadership and Responsibility in Theory and Practice

This book offers an introduction to public administration by a veteran practitioner, written for planners, as well as students seeking a public administration career and individuals simply wanting to learn more about responsible government.

The narrative provides an overview of public administration theory and the importance of leadership in today’s contentious political environment. The book contains five parts including an introduction, parts on management, the public sector and government programs, and some impressions on why this subject is so critically important in our society today. Typical administrative responsibilities are addressed as well as issues not typically covered in books on public administration, along with observations about sound public administration. Each part also contains practical exercises, discussion questions and references to other texts and academic resources.

Because public administration is fundamentally about relationships with people and communities, the book provides lessons that can be applied easily to one’s personal life and experiences. It is a timely narrative on public administration today that will be valuable reading for planners and planning students looking to better understand public administration and policy.

Stephen Kehs is a graduate of the Pennsylvania State University. He received his Master’s Degree in Regional Planning from Cornell University and has spent more than 46 years in the planning and public administration fields. He has worked with county planning offices in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey, including 20 years as a planning and economic development department head. In addition, he has worked with government clients as vice president of a New Jersey based community and economic development consulting firm. For 10 years, he also taught as an Adjunct Professor of Public Administration. He lives in New Jersey with his wife Peggy. This is his first book, although Steve has been published in Planning Magazine and the Pennsylvania Geographer.