PERSONNEL--Instructions for Preparation of the 1996 Research Grade Evaluation Peer Package

In Reply Refer To:
Mail Stop 436

                             MEMORANDUM

                                                  January 26, 1996

To:       District Chiefs, WRD

From:     Gail E. Mallard
          Acting Chief, Office of Hydrologic Research

Subject:  PERSONNEL--Instructions for Preparation of the
          1996 Research Grade Evaluation Peer Package

The schedule and procedure for the 1996 Divisionwide grade evaluation by
peer review for all individuals classified under the Research Grade
Evaluation Guide (RGEG) was recently announced in WRD Memorandum 96.12.
The instructions on how to prepare the peer packages are given in the
attachment to this memorandum.  Please pass these instructions on to
individuals interested in applying for RGE status.  The Chiefs, Branch of
Regional Research will send the instructions out electronically to all
employees in their region currently under the RGE system.


Attachment

Copy to:  Chiefs, Branch of Regional Research, CR,NR,WR


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(Cover Page)

INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION

OF MATERIAL FOR

RESEARCH GRADE EVALUATION






U.S. Geological Survey
Water Resources Division
Office of Hydrologic Research

Revised January 1996


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(Page -a-)


Please Read All Significant Changes


SUMMARY OF RECENT CHANGES TO INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREPARING A PEER PACKAGE


(Page numbers and item numbers refer to the instruction package).



(REVISIONS-JANUARY 1996)

In the Preface:  Item 7 - ALL Research Grade Evaluation (RGE) packages from
District scientists must be transmitted through the District Chief.



(REVISIONS-JANUARY 1995)

1.  In the Preface:  Item 5 - Emphasis on the need for supervisors to
provide a description of the research assignment, particularly for new
applicants.

2.  Page 1 - Condensed Autobiography:  Delete requirement for a listing of
language skills.

3.  Page 3 - Current Position Description:  Delete previous discussions of
Factor IV.


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PREFACE

The Water Resources Division (WRD) has established a review system to
evaluate all professional personnel GS-11 and above who are, or may be,
classified under the Research Grade Evaluation Guide (RGEG).  The procedure
was formally established by WRD Memorandum No. 81.81 and by a memorandum
from the Chief Hydrologist dated September 23, 1980.  The process consists
of first-level review by a peer panel convened and chaired by the
appropriate Research Adviser for the discipline and composed of peer
members, and a second-level panel chaired by the Chief, Office of
Hydrologic Research.  The recommendations from these two panels are
reviewed by the Human Resources Management Committee which makes its
recommendations to the Chief Hydrologist.

Obviously, if this review is to function fairly, efficiently, and within a
reasonably short time period, there must by consistency in format of the
material provided to the panels for review.  The purpose of these
instructions is to provide a uniform and concise guide.  Please read the
instructions carefully.  Keep in mind:

1.  As a WRD professional , it is wise to review the RGEG at least annually
and always before you prepare your material for review.

2.  All review panels consist of busy people.  Therefore, it is imperative
that all personnel follow the standard format described here so that the
panel members can quickly locate information.  Note that brevity and
completeness are copartners.  A brief, factual statement of achievements
will be read and remembered more clearly and for a longer period of time
than a statement with a long, rambling tone.

3.  List all of your professional experience--U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
and pre-USGS.

4.  All pages must be consecutively numbered in the center at the bottom of
each page.  This alone will greatly speed the review process.

5.  Supervisors are encouraged to prepare a one-page documentation of a
project member under the RGE system describing the research assignment,
stating the accomplishments of the individual, and indicating the amount of
supervision received.  This documentation is mandatory for all new
applicant packages.  Such documentation should be submitted along with each
of the RGE packages to the appropriate Chief, Branch of Regional Research
(BRR.)

6.  You should strongly consider asking your supervisor and other senior
researchers to review your RGE package prior to your submitting it to the
Chief, BRR.

7.  All RGE packages from District scientists must be transmitted through
the District Chief.


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(Page 1)

DATE OF THIS PACKAGE

____________________
MONTH         YEAR

CONDENSED AUTOBIOGRAPHY
(AN ABSTRACT OF WHAT FOLLOWS)

(This is the first page of your RGEG package,
If at all possible, keep to one page,
no more than two pages, number all pages consecutively).


NAME:  (or other names used in publication)

LOCATION:  (District and Region or NRP location)

DISCIPLINE:  (Only if already in RGE)

PROJECT SHORT TITLE:

PROJECT CHIEF:  (write "same" if you are the project chief)

GRADE AND DATE OF LAST PROMOTION:  (month and year)

DATE AND LOCATION OF ENTRANCE WITH WRD:  (month, year, and location)

EDUCATION:  (Starting with the most recent, list universities, degrees
received, and year degree was received.  List major and minor
specialization.  Include post-Doctoral experience as a part of your
training.)

AWARDS AND HONORS:  (be conservative - should be true honors and awards,
not invitations or evaluations)

PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES:  (Spell out, do not use acronyms, indicate if other
than regular class of membership.)

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:  (Provide a brief statement of important
professional assignments, highlighting achievements and providing dates.
Provide a succinct bullet about what you are doing now.)


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(Page 2)

SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENTS SINCE LAST PROMOTION


(This must be completed on one page.)


"This page should provide a brief description, in narrative form, of those
RESEARCH achievements since your last promotion that you consider to be the
most significant.  Because this page should provide the peer panel with a
synopsis of both the scope and impact of your research accomplishments, it
is one of the most important sections of the RGE package.  Be certain to
describe achievements and not activities.  You do not have to fill the
entire page, but please keep this section to one page.



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(Page 3)


CURRENT POSITION DESCRIPTION


Place a copy of your current position description here.   Also attach
Optional Form 8 (OF-8) or its equivalent.  (OF-8 is the front sheet that
accompanies the position description and contains your supervisor's
signature certifying your duties.)  Remember to number the bottom of OF-8
or its equivalent and your position description in numerical order.

If you are submitting a package for the first time and your existing
(approved) position description is in the nine factor format, please submit
a draft four - factor position descrition as well as a copy of your present
position description with attached OF8.





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(Page 4)


BIBLIOGRAPHY


Your bibliography should contain FOUR separate sections, all in Survey
style, but in chronological order.

1.  All published reports.  A report is here defined to include all USGS
series outlets (Water Supply Papers, Professional Papers, Bulletins, Atlas
Sheets, WRIs, TWRIs, Open File Reports, etc.), papers published in refereed
journals, symposia proceedings, books - book chapters, computer programs,
videos, etc.

2.  All reports that have Director's approval (or Regional approval for
those items that do not require Director's approval) but are not yet
published.  A photocopy of the routing sheet showing approval must be
attached at the end of the peer package.  The bibliographic entry must
state the status of the report; for example:  in journal review, in press
(accepted by the journal), etc.

3.  Published abstracts (at the end of each abstract citation, indicated
the type of meeting, place where the abstract was presented, and whether or
not a published paper resulted from the abstract.)

4.  Unpublished academic theses.

IMPORTANT:

Include your entire bibliography, USGS and pre-USGS.

In those instances where you are not the first author, briefly describe
your contribution to the paper, such as "I wrote the methods section" or "I
collected the data."

For consideration in either the bibliography or as a "Significant Paper,"
papers must have the Director's approval (or Regional approval for items
that do not require Director's approval) at the submission deadline.


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ADDITIONAL SCIENTIFIC CONTRIBUTIONS


The following material should be listed on one or two pages.  If you have
an extensive list under a category, limit to last 10 years.

1.  LECTURES GIVEN AT UNIVERSITIES:

Provide name of university, title of lecture, and date.


2.  PAPERS YOU PRESENTED AT SCIENTIFIC MEETINGS:

Provide title of paper, name and type of meeting, and date.


3.  TRAINING GIVEN AT USGS NATIONAL TRAINING CENTER:

Provide lecture title, course title, dates, hours of lecture, and field
exercises.


4.  PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY ASSIGNMENTS:

Provide name of society, name of committee, sessions chaired, and date.


5.  OTHER COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS:

Include here such things as Federal/State interagency committees and WRD
committees.  Provide name of committee and date.


6.  OTHER TALKS AND SEMINARS:

Include all talks not covered in 1-3 above.

Include seminars before groups of USGS personnel.  Provide title of
seminar, location, and dates.


7.  OTHER ASSIGNMENTS

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(Page 6)

AUTOBIOGRAPHY

Your autobiography should begin with your professional career, with
particular attention to your tenure with the USGS.  Summarize in logical
intervals (preferably not shorter than every 2 years.)  Provide only
highlights and major experiences.  Begin with your first assignments and
end with your most recent assignment.  Your autobiography is an in-depth
supplement to your "Condensed Autobiography" (page 1) and your "Significant
Achievements Since Your Last Promotion" (page 2).  Keep your autobiography
brief (maximum four pages), but meaningful.


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(Page 7)

PROJECT DESCRIPTION


Include the description (problem, objective and approach) of the project
with which you are presently associated.

If your role in the project is not clearly defined in the project
description, briefly specify those aspects of the project for which you are
involved; that is problem, objective, and approach.  The panel uses this
information to judge the research assignment and it is essential for being
admitted into and remaining in the RGE.




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(Page 8)

SIGNIFICANT PAPERS

The peer and subsequent review committees will review three of your most
significant papers.  One copy of each publication must be attached to each
(of the six) RGEG packages.  You may wish to indicate your assessment of
which is the "most significant," and/or provide a brief description of your
most important publications in terms of impact on the science.

To be considered, papers must have Director's approval (or Regional
approval for those items that do not require Director's approval) at the
submission deadline.  If possible, provide double-sided copies of
unpublished papers that you submit (to save paper and reduce bulk).

If one or all papers are voluminous, submit either a copy of those sections
to which you have made a major contribution or submit a copy of the table
of contents, abstract, and conclusions.  Submit one copy of the entire
report or book which will be made available at all levels of the review
process.

Photocopies are satisfactory.

Return mailing labels must be attached to each package--to ensure return
receipt of your papers.

OPTION:
YOU MAY SUBMIT ONE NON PUBLICATION CONTRIBUTION IN ADDITION TO YOUR THREE
MOST SIGNIFICANT PAPERS.  THIS OPTION EXPLICITLY PERMITS RECOGNITION OF
ACCOMPLISHMENTS WHICH ADVANCE SCIENCE AND/OR CONTRIBUTE TO FULFILLMENT OF
THE USGS'S PROGRAMS AND MISSIONS AND AT THE SAME TIME RESULT IN AN INCREASE
TO THE STATURE OF THE INDIVIDUAL.

This should be a single significant activity rather than a list of several
activities which in aggregate may represent significant effort but which
are "expected" activities based on your stature, discipline and grade.
Some examples are:

--  Leadership role in a large multidisciplinary study--typically involving
several organizational units (e.g. NRP projects, Districts, other agencies,
or universities.)

--  Leadership in development of WRD training program--major role in
developing new courses, revamping old courses, or coordination of an
ongoing course.

--  Participation in WRD or USGS programs development or review activities.
Examples:  work with thrust coordinators on program planning and
evaluation activities; work with discipline offices, Central Laboratory,
HIF, or SIM on methods, specifications, designs, or reviews of software,
technology, models, instrumentation, etc., for use throughout WRD or USGS.

--  Participation in professional society or international organization
activity resulting in some specific product.  Examples would include editor
of a special review volume, or organizing an effort to document methods or
standards.

--  Membership on panels set up to provide advice to government or
universities.  Examples include: National Research Council boards or study
committees, university department review committees, or standing advisory
groups to some science or natural resources agency.

--  Leadership in activities focused on communicating earth science
information to the public or to students (at any educational level.)

--  Leadership in organizing significant scientific meetings (not just
being a session chair.)

--  Providing expert advice to land or water management agencies (e.g.
testimony, or city visits associated with disasters, water quality
problems, or water resources development problems.)

For the non-publication contribution you should write a paragraph
describing the activity, its outputs, and its impact.  If possible attach
one to three pages of material that document it.  For example:  meeting
agenda or program committee member lists, course announcement, letters of
recognition or thanks, committee terms of reference, title page, table of
contents of committee reports.

Remember, your most significant reports (and the optional non publication
contribution) are considered career milestones.  Select them carefully.