**11/12/2023**

**GENERIC PERFORMANCE PLAN**

**FOR**

**CATEGORY I SCIENTISTS**

EMPLOYEE:
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

RATING PERIOD:
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

**THE ATTACHED PERFORMANCE PLAN HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE RATER AND
REVIEWER ACCORDING TO ARS POLICIES.**

EMPLOYEE=S SIGNATURE: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
DATE: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

RATING OFFICIAL=S SIGNATURE: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
DATE: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

REVIEWING OFFICIAL=S SIGNATURE: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ DATE:
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

**PROGRESS REVIEW(S):**

RATING OFFICIAL=S INITIALS: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_/\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_/\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

EMPLOYEE=S INITIALS: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_/\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_/\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

**ELEMENT I Critical: Yes**

**PLANS AND CONDUCTS RESEARCH**

**FULLY SUCCESSFUL LEVEL:**

Conceives, defines and prepares research plans, including rationale and
expected outcomes that address the objectives of the CRIS Work Unit, and
documents these plans for the Lead Scientist (LS) and Research Leader
(RL), if applicable. Prepares research proposals, CRADAs and other
external agreements as needed. Research aims must be flexible so that
new directions can be pursued to achieve CRIS goals, if dictated by
experimental results. Keeps Lead Scientist and Research Leader informed
of research progress on a regular basis.

Experimental and/or theoretical approaches utilize appropriate design,
methodology, principles and theories to meet the research objectives.
Experiments must be planned and conducted following applicable
standards, such as good laboratory practices, hazardous material safety,
biohazardous materials and recombinant DNA guidelines, animal care
requirements, and rules pertaining to human subjects. Data must be
recorded, organized, and analyzed using appropriate statistical methods,
where applicable, and interpreted in a manner that reflects the highest
scientific standards.

Expert contributions toward the development of Prospectus and Project
Plan for the required peer review reflect coherently written objectives
and procedures relevant to his/her facet of the Project Plan.
Contributions are scientifically sound and accurate, grammatically
correct, and are prepared within set deadlines. Prospectuses and Project
Plans are developed cooperatively with staff assigned to project, Lead
Scientist, Research Leader and as necessary, Laboratory/Center/Institute
Director, Area Office and NPS, in all phases of project development and
preparation for the peer review process. Responses to peer review
recommendations adequately address reviewers' concerns by making
recommended changes in the Project Plans or by appropriate and
constructive justification as to why recommendations were not made.
Research is performed as outlined in the approved Project Plan. Research
progress reports are provided to the Lead Scientist, as required.

Alignment to Strategic Plan: This position directly contributes to the
accomplishment of ARS Strategic Plan Goal \# [(specify the
goal(s))]{.underline} . This position is responsible for investigating
and conducting research on the affects of [(personal CRIS
research)]{.underline} , ARS National Program \# ( ). The performance
elements and standards in this performance plan reflect the specific
results, outcomes, and/or accomplishments expected.

Conducts all tasks in a manner which demonstrates an awareness of and
compliance with all USDA civil rights policies and responsibilities.
Meets and deals with co-workers and customers with respect and in a
manner that consistently contributes to a work environment that is free
from discrimination.

**ELEMENT I (Continued) Critical: Yes**

**PLANS AND CONDUCTS RESEARCH**

**SPECIFIC GOALS FOR THE RATING PERIOD: *{Note -- Goals below are an
example only.}***

1\. Continue purification of limited amounts of PPV-PENN virions for
dsRNS studies and development of a polyclonal U.S. antiserum (per 14
month milestone under objective #2A of Project Plan for CRIS xxxxxxx).

2\. Investigate *in planta* interactions of specific strains of plum pox
virus, inoculated singly and jointly, by aphids and grafting, in the
bioindicator hosts GF 305 and *Prunus tomentosa*, *Colmo pea*, and
*Nicotiana bentamiana* (per 14 month milestone under objective #1A, 1B,
1C of Project Plan for CRIS xxxxxxxx).

**END OF YEAR RATING:**

□ **Does Not Meet** □ **Fully Successful** □ **Exceeds**

**ELEMENT II Critical: Yes**

**DISSEMINATION OF RESEARCH RESULTS**

**FULLY SUCCESSFUL LEVEL:**

Contributes to annual reports documenting progress in meeting the
research objectives of his/her CRIS Work Unit, and National Program
milestones and outcomes in a format that meets Agency requirements for
GPRA.

Dissemination can be achieved through multiple means, e.g.,
manuscripts/publications, patents, technology transfer activities, or by
a combination of these. Manuscripts requiring only minor revisions must
be submitted to and approved by the Research Leader for publication
submission and documented in RMIS before the end of the rating period.
An accounting of all manuscripts approved in the prior rating period is
provided explaining the status of any manuscripts not yet accepted.
Technology transfer is pursued through appropriate dissemination to
stakeholders and customers, development of CRADAs and patents, and
relevant response to regulatory and action agency needs. The
requirements for dissemination of research results at this level can be
met by one of the following:

> • Submission of one principal or co‑principal authored manuscript for
> a peer
>
> reviewed journal;
>
> • An invention report approved for filing by the ARS Patent Committee
> for
>
> patent application development; a germplasm or cultivar release; an
> APHIS
>
> approved biological control agent release; or approval for vaccine
> licensing by the APHIS Center for Veterinary Biologics;
>
> • Submission\* of two manuscripts as co‑author for peer reviewed
> journals or,
>
> in place of one of the two co-authored manuscripts, one of the
> following:
>
> -principal or co‑principal authorship of a review article or book
> chapter;
>
> ‑establishment of a CRADA;
>
> ‑principal or co‑principal authorship of a trade journal article;

‑principal or co‑principal authorship of an article in non‑refereed

conference proceedings.

Acceptability of the CRADA, book chapter, trade journal, review, or
conference proceedings articles will be based on relevance and impact as
assessed by the Research Leader with concurrence of the CD/AD where
necessary.

> \*(Not acceptable for two consecutive rating periods.)
>
> **Principal Author:** Senior author on a manuscript, patent,
> germplasm/cultivar, biological release, or vaccine.

**ELEMENT II (Continued) Critical: Yes**

**DISSEMINATION OF RESEARCH RESULTS**

**FULLY SUCCESSFUL LEVEL:**

> **Co-principal Author:** The Research Leader, with concurrence from
> the CD/AD, will determine who should be credited as co-principal
> author(s) at the time of ARS-115
>
> submission. Co-principal credit can be given if first-author is a
> research associate, graduate student, visiting scientist or other
> person who is given first-authorship through traditional courtesy or
> if there has been equal contribution with the first author in team
> research.

**SPECIFIC GOALS FOR THE RATING PERIOD:**

**END OF YEAR RATING:**

□ **Does Not Meet** □ **Fully Successful** □ **Exceeds**

**ELEMENT III Critical: Yes/No**

**MANAGES RESOURCES**

**FULLY SUCCESSFUL LEVEL:**

Adheres to Agency guidelines on CRIS accountability and maintains
facilities and equipment in functional and safe condition.

Ensures that operations and facilities under the scientist=s supervision
meet the requirements of applicable Federal, State and ARS/laboratory
safety standards. Promptly initiates corrective measures to address
problems or meet statutory and regulatory compliance mandates. Provides
guidance to employees assigned to CRIS under his/her supervision\* or
**technical** leadership to ensure that they are adequately trained in
the safety, health and environmental aspects of their work and ensures
that all follow ARS policies, procedures and guidelines for
environmental, safety, radiological, occupational health, animal care
and related issues. Ensures security of experimental materials,
equipment, chemicals and organisms under the scientist=s supervision.

Recommends development of personnel, under his/her supervision\* or
**technical** leadership, consistent with program needs of the CRIS and
Research Management Unit. Ensures that goals, objectives and research
plans of CRIS are communicated to all personnel, under his/her such
leadership, assigned to CRIS. Recommends recognition of personnel, under
his/her such leadership, to appropriate supervisors.

Contributes to smooth work flow of Research Management Unit and/or
Location/Center by maintaining effective communication with all
personnel assigned to CRIS and with Center/Area administrative and
support staff. This includes meeting deadlines; responding promptly to
requests; providing complete information when initiating specific
cooperative agreements, grant proposals, CRIS project statements, etc.;
obtaining Agency guidance when necessary; and ensuring proper feedback
of information to personnel assigned to CRIS. Keeps Research Leader and
other supervisors of personnel assigned to CRIS informed on a regular
basis of human resource and research issues, equipment and fiscal needs,
travel plans, and contacts with Area, NPS and other relevant
organizations/institutions and clientele.

\*Supervision of no more than two support personnel

**SPECIFIC GOALS FOR THE RATING PERIOD:\
**

**END OF YEAR RATING:**

□ **Does Not Meet** □ **Fully Successful** □ **Exceeds**

**ELEMENT IV Critical: Yes/No**

**RESEARCH RELATED ACTIVITIES**

**FULLY SUCCESSFUL LEVEL:**

Initiates and/or participates in research-related activities which
support ARS operations and goals, and which contribute meaningfully to
the accomplishment of the ARS mission and strategic objectives.
Implements systematic activities for professional self-improvement.

Examples of research-related activities include, but are not limited to:

> • Active participation in professional society or group activities
> such as presentation
>
> of papers at national and regional meetings, workshops or
> colloquia/symposia; service on committees or editorial boards; or
> service as appointed or elected society officials.
>
> • Organizes, conducts and/or participates in technology transfer
> activities such as:
>
> demonstration projects, workshops, discussion groups, or location
> tours; or presents seminars to educational institutions, industry
> groups or private organizations; or cooperates with regulatory
> agencies to share, develop and/or utilize technology or research data.
>
> • Service as panelist or peer reviewer for external agency grant
> proposals, reviewer
>
> for journal article, book chapter or monograph submissions, or science
> fair judge.

• Participation in support of Departmental or Agency goals, such as
service as

> RPES panelist, internal peer reviewer for CRIS project proposals or
> grant proposals, special assignments, service on task force groups,
> location committees, etc., participation in location seminar programs,
> or participation as an Agency representative in career emphasis
> activities.
>
> • Active self‑improvement and maintenance of professional skills by
> participation
>
> in formal training such as university courses, commercially available
> seminars, classes etc.; or informal training through on‑the‑job
> training or self‑directed study.

NOTE: Research‑related activities are most accurately assessed through
documentation describing impact and the individual\'s contribution.

**SPECIFIC GOALS FOR THE RATING PERIOD:**

**END OF YEAR RATING:**

□ **Does Not Meet** □ **Fully Successful** □ **Exceeds**