Call for Fiscal Year 2001 Human Resources Initiatives Proposals

In Reply Refer To:                                      October 31, 2000   
 
Mail Stop 601



                            MEMORANDUM



To:       All U.S. Geological Survey Employees

From:     Robert Hosenfeld, Co-Chair, Human Resources Initiative Program (signed)
          S. Kaye Cook, Co-Chair, Human Resources Initiative Program (signed)

Subject:  Call for Fiscal Year 2001 Human Resources Initiatives Proposals

RESPONSE REQUESTED BY NOVEMBER 30, 2000

Attached are the priorities, criteria, and process for submitting project 
proposals under the fiscal year 2001 Human Resources Initiatives (HRI) 
Program.  This year's HRI Program will be competed similarly to last year. 
 Bureau-level projects and programs will be funded before project 
proposals are considered.  We are doing this to enable the bureau to move 
more effectively towards meeting our diversity goals.  Remaining funds of 
approximately $300,000 will be allocated to projects that successfully 
compete for the funds. 

All proposals will be considered with priority given to those that focus 
on moving the U.S. Geological Survey toward meeting the bureau's goals in 
diversity. The bureau-level initiatives that are being funded include Science 
Internships for Workforce Diversity, Leadership/Management Development Program, 
Bureau Outreach Recruitment Initiative, INROADS Program, Bureau Mentorship 
Program, and Alternative Dispute Resolution (CORE) Program.  HRI funding 
has not been used for salaries or overhead in successful proposals.


Proposals must be received in the Human Resources Office, Mail Stop 601, 
Reston, Virginia, no later than November 30, 2000. To be considered, 
proposals must have appropriate management endorsement, which is explained 
on the application form. An impartial panel will evaluate each proposal 
and the results will be announced when HRI funding becomes available.

If you have questions about the proposal process, you may call Sarah 
Griffin in the Human Resources Office at (703) 648-7395 or by e-mail at 
sgriffin@usgs.gov.



Human Resources Initiatives Funding
Criteria for Submitting Proposals for the Fiscal Year 2001 Program

Proposals can include, but are not limited to, initiatives in the 
following areas: recruitment of candidates for employment and retention of 
current employees who serve to build a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) 
workforce representative of the general population; and training opportunities 
not otherwise provided for in program budgets.  Human Resources Initiatives 
(HRI) funding will be 1-year money.  Project proposals will be evaluated, 
rated, and selected through application of the following criteria which are 
listed in rank order:

1. Impact. The proposed initiative: (a) contributes in a direct, 
immediate, and substantive way to improving representation in the 
permanent workforce; (b) contributes in a direct, immediate, and 
substantive way to creating a pipeline of candidates eligible for 
noncompetitive conversion to underrepresented positions in the permanent 
workforce; (c) contributes to building a diverse pool of candidates 
eligible to compete for underrepresented positions in the permanent 
workforce; (d) creates the opportunity for meaningful, well planned, 
coordinated, and successful recruitment of persons to underrepresented 
occupational categories within the bureau, and are closely tied to bureau 
targeted recruitment plans in place/under development; (e) serves to 
enhance curriculum development at minority/mainstream colleges and 
universities for programs that will, in the short-term, yield high-quality 
candidates for employment in underrepresented technical support positions; 
(f) supports diversity intern programs sponsored by the USGS or the 
Department of the Interior (DOI); and/or (g) enhances opportunities for 
training or the acquisition of skills needed in support of workforce 
upward mobility into underrepresented occupational series. 

2. Partnerships. Address how the proposal will build relationships between 
disciplines and/or with colleges, universities, constituent-groups, or 
other entities critical to success of the initiative.

3.  Sustainability and Longevity. Address the short-term and/or long-term 
objectives to be realized under this initiative should the proposal be 
adopted for implementation.

4. Costs/Benefits. Address the costs to be incurred in relationship to the 
benefits to be derived from adoption of the proposal. 

5. Evaluation Plan. Address the measurement tool or methodology to be used 
to determine effectiveness of the proposal in attaining stated objectives. 



FY 2001 Human Resources Initiatives (HRI) Program
            Proposal Application

This application form is to be used for submitting proposals under the 
USGS FY 2001 Human Resources Initiatives Program.  HRI program funds 
support activities designed to enhance the bureau's outreach recruitment 
and employee retention programs.  More detailed information regarding the 
HRI program was provided to all USGS employees in a A Call for Proposals@ 
memorandum dated October 20, 2000.  To ensure that HRI funding is fairly 
distributed in support of the overall diversity theme, proposals will be 
reviewed by a diverse group of employees from the USGS workforce.  HRI 
funding for salaries is available only under the USGS Science Internships 
for Workforce Diversity (SIWD) program, formerly known as the Minority 
Participation in the Earth Sciences (MPES) program, and the Department of 
the Interior Diversity Intern Program.  In every other instance, HRI 
funding may not be used for salaries or overhead. 

How to Submit a Proposal
Proposals should be submitted by the individual who will serve as the 
Project Leader with accountability for fund utilization and reporting 
requirements. 

Write the Proposal.  The proposal will need to address the specific 
criteria provided in the 
October 20, 2000 memorandum to all employees.

Fill Out the Application.  Complete the information below and attach this 
application to your 
proposal. 

Obtain Management Endorsement.  The Project Leader must submit the 
application and proposal through 
supervisory channels to his/her Center Chief (NMD and BRD); District Chief 
(WRD); Office Chief (DO and OPS); or Team Chief Scientist, Regional 
Geologist, or Associate Chief Geologist, as appropriate (GD).  Management 
endorsement must appear on the Application Information 
section, below.

Submit the Proposal.  The Office of Personnel, Mail Stop 601, National 
Center, Reston, VA 20192 must receive project proposals, no later than 
November 30, 2000.


Application Information


Project 
Title______________________________________________________________________

Proposal Submitted by (Project 
Leader)________________________________________________

Region_______________      Location____________________     Mail 
Stop__________

Phone___________________________    E-mail 
address___________________________

Funding Requested $_______________________

Management Endorsement


________________________________________ ____________________________
Name/Title                                              Date

HRI Program Team Decision
You will be notified of the decision regarding your proposal when the HRI 
Program Team is advised that FY 2001 HRI funding is available.

Approved for HRI funding in the amount of  $_______________________ 

Not Approved_____________

_______________________________________ __________________________________
Co-Chair, FY 2001 HRI Program                           Date