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Scientist Emeritus Program Review Report Scientist Emeritus Program Review Report A report prepared by the Scientist Emeritus Program Review Panel March 15, 2006 Report submitted to Linda Gundersen, Acting, Associate Director for Geology U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey Contents Executive Summary...................................................................................................................1 Introduction................................................................................................................................3 History and Current Program.....................................................................................................4 History of SE Program.........................................................................................................4 Current SE Program.............................................................................................................4 Communication..........................................................................................................................5 Levels of Communication....................................................................................................5 Opportunities and Responsibilities of SE ............................................................................6 Technical and Administrative Support ......................................................................................7 Space Issues ...............................................................................................................................9 Publications..............................................................................................................................10 Unfinished work – what to do?..........................................................................................10 Finished work – where to publish? ....................................................................................10 Archiving of Scientist Emeritus Material ................................................................................10 Strategies for Recognition........................................................................................................12 Mentoring...........................................................................................................................12 Recognition/appreciation ...................................................................................................12 Web site.............................................................................................................................13 Tracking of hours...............................................................................................................13 Policy Statement ......................................................................................................................14 Scientist Emeritus – Team .................................................................................................15 Scientist Emeritus – at-Large.............................................................................................15 Scientist Emeritus – Bradley Scholar Program..................................................................15 Scientist Emeritus – Honorary...........................................................................................16 Ethics Rules for Scientist Emeritus....................................................................................17 Funding ....................................................................................................................................18 Funding Mechanism...........................................................................................................19 Cost/benefit........................................................................................................................20 Strengths/Weakness of SE Program ........................................................................................21 Conclusion ...............................................................................................................................22 Appendix 1 ..............................................................................................................................24 Scientist Emeritus Questionnaire.......................................................................................24 Scientist Emeritus Responses to Questionnaire.................................................................28 Appendix 2 ..............................................................................................................................33 Scientist Emeritus Publications 2000-2006 .......................................................................33 Scientist Emeritus Abstracts 2000-2006............................................................................62 Appendix 3 – Checklist for Managers, New Scientist Emeritus .............................................72 Appendix 4 – Yearly Checklist for Managers .........................................................................74 Appendix 5 .............................................................................................................................75 Scientist Emeritus Questionnaire to Team Chief Scientists and Project Chiefs................75 Team Chief Scientists and Project Chiefs Responses to Questionnaire ............................79 Appendix 6 – FY 05 Scientist Emeritus OE and Space Information.......................................84 Appendix 7 – Scientist Emeritus Comments to Questionnaire................................................85 Appendix 8 – “Tips for Ensuring Proper Records Management During Change”................129 i Appendix 9 – GD Scientist Emeritus Time Log....................................................................131 Appendix 10 – Proposed Policy Statement............................................................................135 Appendix 11 – Scientist Emeritus Program Annual Progress Review Form ........................139 Appendix 12 – Scientist Emeritus Agreement Form Information.........................................140 Appendix 13 – Scientist Emeritus Funding Mechanism Flow Chart ....................................142 Appendix 14 – Team Chief Scientist & Project Chief Comments to Questionnaire.............143 Table 1. Number of hours worked by 106 SE....................................................................................20 ii Scientist Emeritus Program Review Report A report prepared by the Scientist Emeritus Program Review Panel. Executive Summary The Scientist Emeritus (SE) Program has been and continues to be an important component of the Geologic Discipline (GD). This Program offers retirees an opportunity to continue their professional association with the U.S. Geological Survey and contribute their time and talents to a wide variety of projects. In the fall of 2005, the acting Associate Director for Geology established a committee to conduct a thorough review of and make recommendations for this Program. This report presents a brief history of the Program, analyzes data that the committee collected about the current Program, and makes recommendations for improvements to the Program. In FY05, GD spent $840,000 on the SE Program for 194 SE. Of this amount, $640,000 was spent on space charges, which is paid whether the SE occupy the space or not, and $201,000 was spent on operating expenses. Based on the data collected, the monetary benefit was calculated to be $5,724,750 per year based on salary estimated at a GS-14/5 for actual volunteer hours. This is almost a 7-fold return on an $840,000 investment or a 28-fold return on a $201,000 investment. Some of the activities SE are involved in include serving on outside scientific advisory panels, providing technical leadership to younger research and operational scientists, being an active member of Team projects, and producing 550 publications from 2000-2006. The GD SE Program has greatly benefited the USGS by allowing scientists to continue their research, outreach, and mentoring activities at minimal expense to the organization. These contributions increase the productivity of the USGS and enhance its visibility and image to external audiences. The SE provide the USGS with a breadth and depth of wisdom and knowledge that was gained through many years of experience and leadership in their fields. The current SE Program is an excellent volunteer program, but it can benefit from some minor modifications. The glue binds these modifications together to make a more powerful SE program is the leadership that management provides at all levels – Team, regional and national. Through implementation of the recommendations provided in this report, GD management can move the SE Program successfully into the future. The committee recommendations for the SE Program are summarized below. Implement “Yearly Checklists for Managers,” a tool for local managers to increase communication with their SE, keep up-to-date e-mail lists, clarify expectations, help determine appropriate funding levels, address identified problems, and obtain an Annual Progress Review. 1 Re-establish and expand the Bradley Scholar Program to support the investigation of science research frontiers that have potential importance to the Nation. Fund the Bradley Scholar Program through the Associate Director for Geology’s Office. Encourage Program Coordinators to provide additional Bradley Scholar Program funds that would be used to
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