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WMA: Participating as a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Scientist Emeritus in the WMA
Memorandum
To: Water Resources Mission Area (WMA) Headquarters Staff
From: Donald W. Cline
Associate Director for Water Resources Mission Area
Subject: Participating as a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Scientist Emeritus in the WMA
The USGS Scientist Emeritus Program [link or image removed] “is for retired USGS scientists and technical experts to volunteer their expertise, intellect, and creativity in efforts that allow them to remain active in the geoscience community, enhance the programmatic activities of the USGS, and serve the public.” In the WMA, participation in this program is reviewed annually and provides retirees with the opportunity and resources to continue their work so long as that work supports and advances WMA science priorities. This includes, but is not limited to, publishing and disseminating papers, reports, and other science products, and mentoring and training current employees.
WMA retirees may apply to the Scientist Emeritus Program after they have selected their official retirement date and submitted their retirement paperwork. Prospective WMA Scientist Emeriti must submit the following forms:
WMA retirees seeking to be classified as a Scientist Emeritus status must submit their transition plan and application to one of the following organizational levels in which their contributions will be made:
The Scientist Emeritus program is a component of the USGS Volunteer for Science Program [link or image removed]. Therefore, Scientist Emeriti must abide by the same requirements and ethics rules [link or image removed] established for participants in the Volunteer for Science Program [link or image removed], which include 305 DM3, Integrity of Scientific and Scholarly Activities [link or image removed], SM Chapter 500.25, Scientific Integrity [link or image removed], and all Fundamental Science Practices [link or image removed]. Examples of these requirements include, but are not limited to:
Upon retirement, the Scientist Emeritus will transition to a shared office or hoteling space. Therefore, the Scientist Emeritus must consolidate the contents of their old office to fit into their shared office space no later than 30 days after their official retirement date. Scientist Emeriti in the WMA cannot retain a government-issued cell phone or data plan; retain a purchase credit card; or ask non-supervisory or non-administrative employees to incur expenses on their behalf.
Daily participation in the Scientist Emeritus Program will be managed at the OCOO Division level, in OPP, or in OAD, depending on the organizational affiliation of the Scientist Emeritus.
Violations of these requirements, expectations, and/or interference in the normal operations of the WMA will be addressed by the responsible WMA Executive Council member [link or image removed] (for example, Chief Operating Officer) in consultation with the Scientist Emeriti supervisor, and can result in the termination as a Scientist Emeritus.
Annual review and renewal process
Participation in the WMA Scientist Emeritus Program will be evaluated annually during the fall/winter timeframe. The Scientist Emeritus must complete the WMA Scientist Emeritus Annual Review Template [link or image removed] and may be asked to participate in a brief interview with the WMA Executive Council [link or image removed] (either by conference call or in person). Review documents are submitted to the appropriate organizational level as defined previously. Continuation as a Scientist Emeritus is dependent on (1) compliance with requirements and expectations, (2) a contribution to an inclusive, collaborative, and supportive workplace, and (3) contributions to the WMA mission, functions, and/or priorities.
Non-participation in the review and renewal process will be understood as a desire to no longer continue in the Scientist Emeritus Program and the volunteer agreement will be terminated.
To: Water Resources Mission Area (WMA) Headquarters Staff
From: Donald W. Cline
Associate Director for Water Resources Mission Area
Subject: Participating as a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Scientist Emeritus in the WMA
The USGS Scientist Emeritus Program [link or image removed] “is for retired USGS scientists and technical experts to volunteer their expertise, intellect, and creativity in efforts that allow them to remain active in the geoscience community, enhance the programmatic activities of the USGS, and serve the public.” In the WMA, participation in this program is reviewed annually and provides retirees with the opportunity and resources to continue their work so long as that work supports and advances WMA science priorities. This includes, but is not limited to, publishing and disseminating papers, reports, and other science products, and mentoring and training current employees.
WMA retirees may apply to the Scientist Emeritus Program after they have selected their official retirement date and submitted their retirement paperwork. Prospective WMA Scientist Emeriti must submit the following forms:
- Volunteer Service Agreement for Natural Resources Agencies (OF301a) [link or image removed]
- WMA Scientist Emeritus Application [link or image removed]
WMA retirees seeking to be classified as a Scientist Emeritus status must submit their transition plan and application to one of the following organizational levels in which their contributions will be made:
- Office of the Associate Director (OAD): Applications submitted to and approved by the Deputy Associate Director.
- Office of Planning and Programming (OPP): Applications submitted to and approved by the Director, Office of Planning and Programming.
- Office of the Chief Operating Officer (OCOO): Applications submitted to the Branch Chief, reviewed for concurrence by the Division Director/Office Chief, and approved by the Chief Operating Officer.
The Scientist Emeritus program is a component of the USGS Volunteer for Science Program [link or image removed]. Therefore, Scientist Emeriti must abide by the same requirements and ethics rules [link or image removed] established for participants in the Volunteer for Science Program [link or image removed], which include 305 DM3, Integrity of Scientific and Scholarly Activities [link or image removed], SM Chapter 500.25, Scientific Integrity [link or image removed], and all Fundamental Science Practices [link or image removed]. Examples of these requirements include, but are not limited to:
- Conference attendance and USGS travel policies,
- IPDS approval process and Data Release policies,
- Code of Conduct and Anti-Harassment policies,
- Office of Communication and Publication (OCAP) policies, and
- Computing and IT policies, including ensuring laptops and computers are regularly connected to the network to obtain security updates and patches.
Upon retirement, the Scientist Emeritus will transition to a shared office or hoteling space. Therefore, the Scientist Emeritus must consolidate the contents of their old office to fit into their shared office space no later than 30 days after their official retirement date. Scientist Emeriti in the WMA cannot retain a government-issued cell phone or data plan; retain a purchase credit card; or ask non-supervisory or non-administrative employees to incur expenses on their behalf.
Daily participation in the Scientist Emeritus Program will be managed at the OCOO Division level, in OPP, or in OAD, depending on the organizational affiliation of the Scientist Emeritus.
Violations of these requirements, expectations, and/or interference in the normal operations of the WMA will be addressed by the responsible WMA Executive Council member [link or image removed] (for example, Chief Operating Officer) in consultation with the Scientist Emeriti supervisor, and can result in the termination as a Scientist Emeritus.
Annual review and renewal process
Participation in the WMA Scientist Emeritus Program will be evaluated annually during the fall/winter timeframe. The Scientist Emeritus must complete the WMA Scientist Emeritus Annual Review Template [link or image removed] and may be asked to participate in a brief interview with the WMA Executive Council [link or image removed] (either by conference call or in person). Review documents are submitted to the appropriate organizational level as defined previously. Continuation as a Scientist Emeritus is dependent on (1) compliance with requirements and expectations, (2) a contribution to an inclusive, collaborative, and supportive workplace, and (3) contributions to the WMA mission, functions, and/or priorities.
Non-participation in the review and renewal process will be understood as a desire to no longer continue in the Scientist Emeritus Program and the volunteer agreement will be terminated.