PERSONNEL--Announcement of 2000 Divisionwide Peer Review and Classification Under the Research Grade Evaluation Guide
In Reply Refer To:
Office of the Assistant Chief Hydrologist
for Research, Mail Stop 436
Sunset Date: January 2001
January 14, 2000
WATER RESOURCES DIVISION MEMORANDUM NO. 2000.04
To: All WRD Employees
Subject: PERSONNEL--Announcement of 2000 Divisionwide Peer Review
and Classification Under the Research Grade Evaluation
Guide
The purpose of this memorandum is to announce the schedule and procedure
for the annual grade evaluation by peer review for all individuals
classified under the Research Grade Evaluation Guide (RGEG); and the review
of all permanent employees working essentially full-time in grades GS-11
through GS-15 who are nominated as first time submissions for
classification under the RGEG. Please note that unless you prepared a
package in 1998 or 1999, a new format is required for the preparation of
RGE packages. The new format, called the Research Scientist Record (RSR), is
aresult of the work of several interdivisional teams, and it is being used
by all Divisions to evaluate research scientists. The Benchmark Team on
Rewards originally drafted a version of the RSR which was revised by an Ad
Hoc Team based, in part, on comments from research scientists in the
Bureau. The final version was approved by the Policy Council. All
packages submitted this year and in the future must be in this format
(attached). More detailed instructions for completing the RSR will be
sent separately to scientists presently classified under RGEG, and can be
obtained by new applicants by contacting the appropriate Chief, Branch of
Regional Research (BRR), for additional information:
G. Richard Marzolf - ER
Michael M. Reddy - CR
Steven Ingebritsen - WR
WHO IS EVALUATED
1. Research Grade evaluation is required at least every 3 years.
2. Personnel may voluntarily choose to be evaluated as often as every
year.
3. A supervisor may require a review as often as every year.
4. Any individual who does not plan to be evaluated this year should
notify the appropriate Chief, BRR, with a copy to his/her supervisor by
FEBRUARY 18, 2000. If the supervisor disagrees, he/she will inform the
Chief, BRR, and a package will be required by the deadline.
DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED FOR EVALUATION
All Research Grade Personnel
All District and Headquarters personnel covered by this memorandum should
transmit their materials through supervisory channels (District Chief or
equivalent) to the appropriate Chief, BRR. The appropriate Chief, BRR,
must receive SIX copies of each individual's RSR no later than MARCH 3,
2000. Be sure to use the new format in preparation of your peer package.
When transmitting the package, supervisors are strongly encouraged to
provide a memorandum commenting objectively on supervision received by the
individual and on the individual's research assignment, activities, and
contributions, particularly those since the last promotion.
First-Time Submissions for Classification under the RGEG
In order that these individuals may receive guidance and assistance as to
the format and completeness of their package, a preliminary review by the
appropriate Chief, BRR, is required. To assure proper peer representation
at the panel review, the Chief, BRR, in coordination with the Research
Advisors, will determine the appropriate discipline group. The Chief,
BRR, will request that the panel chair designate a panel member to establish
personal knowledge of the individual beyond what the package contains. In
cases where this panelist does not have firsthand knowledge, he/she will
either meet with the individual or have telephone discussions regarding
activities. A LETTER OF SUPPORT IS REQUIRED FOR FIRST-TIME APPLICANTS
FROM THEIR SUPERVISOR, DESCRIBING THE RESEARCH SITUATION AND CONCURRING WITH
APPLICATION TO RESEARCH GRADE STATUS. The letter assures that the
applicant is in an appropriate research position and has supervisory approval
to enter the Research Grade Evaluation (RGE) system.
To allow adequate time for this review and any suggested amendments, TWO
copies of the package should be submitted to the Chief, BRR, by
FEBRUARY 18, 2000. A copy of the employee's official position description
with the form OF-8 attached and a copy of a draft position description
written in the four-factor format should be included in the RSR. One
package with suggestions will be returned to the individual. From this point
on in the process, all dates and requirements for new persons under RGE and
for persons previously under RGE are the same.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
FEBRUARY 18, 2000: First-time applicants for classification under the
RGEG must send TWO packages of the RSR for review of format and completeness
to the appropriate Chief, BRR.
FEBRUARY 18, 2000: Any individual who has been evaluated in 1998 or 1999
and who chooses not to be evaluated this year must notify the appropriate
Chief, BRR, in writing with a copy to the supervisor. Supervisors may
require that an individual submit a package.
MARCH 3, 2000: Individuals submit SIX copies of the RSR to the
appropriate Chief, BRR.
MARCH 17, 2000: Chiefs, BRR, submit copies of RSR packages to appropriate
panel chairs.
MAY 26, 2000: Panel chairs submit results of first-level panel reviews to
the Assistant Chief Hydrologist for Research, and to each Chief, BRR.
JUNE 26-30, 2000: Assistant Chief Hydrologist for Research, chairs
second-level review.
AUGUST 1-2, 2000: Human Resources Management Committee (HRMC) meets to
consider results and recommendations of first- and second-level reviews.
No action is complete until approved by the HRMC and by the Chief
Hydrologist. Final results will be disseminated as soon as possible after
the process is completed. Administrative details for promotions and new
position descriptions are handled through the administrative office
associated with an individual's duty station.
For those in the National Research Program (NRP) the appropriate Chief,
BRR, will present the summary comment sheets to all candidates as soon as
possible after receiving the final results. For those scientists not in
the NRP, the Chief, BRR, will forward the summary comment sheets through
the District Chief, or appropriate supervisor, directly to the individual.
For additional information, please contact the appropriate Chief, BRR.
/signed/
Mary Jo Baedecker
Assistant Chief Hydrologist
for Research
Attachment
Distribution: GS-W All
This memorandum supersedes WRD Memorandum No. 99.12, dated January 11,
1999, same subject.
File: 401-01d, General Personnel, All Other Correspondence
USGS:WRD:mjbaedecker:pmcmahon:1/14/2000/x5041
U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
RESEARCH SCIENTIST RECORD
1. NAME
2. DATE PREPARED
3. DUTY STATION
4. REGION/RESEARCH DISCIPLINE
5. CLASSIFICATION TITLE, SERIES, AND GRADE
6. DATE OF ENTRANCE ON DUTY
7. DATE OF LAST PROMOTION
8. DATE OF LAST RESEARCH GRADE PANEL REVIEW
9. EDUCATION (List only higher education, including school,
major and minor, dates attended, degree, year.)
10. TECHNICAL TRAINING RECEIVED (Include post-graduate and
substantive technical courses not included under 9.)
11. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
a. PRESENT ASSIGNMENT (Summarize the project(s) with
which you are currently associated, your role in
the project(s), and the major source of funding.)
DATES: From: To: Present
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF POSITION AND TITLES OF
PROJECTS (Please limit narrative to 200 words.
Estimate the percentage of time that you devote
to research on each project.)
NAME AND TITLE OF SUPERVISOR, TEAM LEADER(S), OR
PROJECT CHIEF(S)
b. PREVIOUS PROFESSIONAL POSITIONS (List all research
and/or technical positions held in the last 10
years and significant positions held prior to 10
years ago, in reverse chronological order. Use the
format below for each position.)
DATES: From: To:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF WORK OR POSITION (Limit
narratives to 25 words.)
12. SIGNIFICANT RESEARCH ACCOMPLISHMENTS
a. RECENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS (Describe research
contributions and impact of accomplishments during
the past 5 years or since last promotion, whichever
period is shorter. Limit to 2 pages.)
b. OTHER CAREER ACCOMPLISHMENTS (Briefly list other
major research contributions during remainder of
career. Limit to 2 pages.)
13. SCIENTIFIC LEADERSHIP (Describe your significant
scientific and management contributions demonstrating
leadership which advanced the USGS mission and programs.
Limit to 1 page.)
14. SCIENTIFIC AND PUBLIC SERVICE
a. CURRENT MEMBERSHIPS IN PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES. (List
organizations and include elective offices held and
significant committee assignments; give dates.)
b. TECHNICAL PRESENTATIONS (List authored and coauthored
abstracts and papers given at scientific meetings,
conferences, and workshops; give dates and meetings;
signify (INVITED, PRESENTED) as appropriate after each
entry.)
c. RENDERING SCIENTIFIC JUDGMENT (Include external scientific
review panels, editorial boards, editorships, with dates.
Include the capacity in which you served, e.g., chairperson,
subcommittee chairperson, member, observer, expert consultant,
etc.)
d. LECTURESHIPS AND OTHER ACADEMIC SERVICE (List seminars
presented, courses taught, graduate students advised with
thesis titles, committee participation, etc., and give
schools, dates, as appropriate.)
e. TECHNICAL TRAINING PROVIDED (List dates and courses
conducted for USGS and other agencies; do not duplicate
activities listed under 14.d.)
f. SPECIAL ASSIGNMENTS (Name organization, group, dates, and
nature of contribution of major activities in excess of
3 months.)
g. OTHER TECHNICAL ACTIVITIES (List technical assistance
and unpublished reports not covered elsewhere; limit to
significant accomplishments during the past 5 years.)
15. OUTREACH AND INFORMATION TRANSFER (List major activities
and accomplishments to increase awareness of USGS scientific
programs with partners, cooperators, and the media, including
served data sets and development of metadata standards,
technical information bulletins, videos, home page development,
press releases, media interviews, etc.; limit to past 5 years.
Do not duplicate entries under 14 or 17.)
16. INVENTIONS, PATENTS HELD (Include dates.)
17. HONORS, AWARDS, RECOGNITION, ELECTED MEMBERSHIPS (List and
give dates and names of organization from which recognition
was granted.)
18. BIBLIOGRAPHY
a. PUBLISHED REPORTS (List non-abstract publications in
chronological order with full citations, including journal
papers, book chapters, books, proceedings, academic thesis,
dissertation, USGS reports, maps, fact sheets, circulars,
CD-ROMs, etc.)
b. REPORTS ACCEPTED FOR PUBLICATION (Provide citation, with
number of manuscript pages, outlet, and status, e.g.,
"Director's approval" or "In press"; include documentation
to support status of unpublished reports.)
19. PUBLICATIONS (Include copies of your 3 most significant
career publications or research products. Explain in a few
sentences the significance of each publication.)
20. POSITION DESCRIPTION (Attach current position description. For new
applicants, include current position description and a draft research
position description written in four-factor format.)
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Mary Jo Baedecker
Assistant Chief Hydrologist for Research
436 National Center
12201 Sunrise Valley Drive
Reston, Virginia 20192
mjbaedec@usgs.gov (703-648-5858)
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