U.S. Geological Survey Manual

1. Establishment. Established by the Chief, Office of Administrative Policy and Services.

2. Purpose. The Field Managers Team (FMT) serves as a forum for providing input into the development, review, and improvement of U.S.Geological Survey (USGS) operational policies and procedures that affect field science centers. The team, whose members represent field science centers as a whole, will raise issues of field concern and will work with appropriate headquarters and regional officials to resolve the issues. The team will also serve as a resource for USGS officials charged with developing bureau policies and procedures. Such USGS officials may discuss proposed policies, objectives and desired outcomes directly with the FMT in order to ensure that proposed policies achieve desired objectives and are implemented in a manner which furthers the field science centers’ management and execution of scientific and technical projects.

3. Membership.

A. Members. The team will be comprised of nine field science center managers, two national capability center managers, four field science center administrative or field financial officers, and one regional management officer who, in addition to serving as a member of the FMT, will also serve as liaison between the FMT and the Business Leadership Team (BLT). Should a member be unable to personally participate in a scheduled meeting, the FMT member will designate an alternate.

B. Membership Tenure. Members will serve a term of three years. Initial appointments to the team and subsequent replacement of team members will be staggered in order to provide team continuity.

C. Chairperson. The chair will be a field science center or national capability manager selected by the team from among its members and will serve a 2-year term. If a chair is selected whose term would expire within the 2-year term, the chair’s membership tenure (see 3.B. above) will be extended in order for the chair to complete a 2-year term as chairperson.

D. Membership Nomination. Regional Directors will each be responsible for nominating three science center managers and one field science center administrative or field financial officer. Associate Directors will be responsible for nominating the national capability managers. The bureau’s Business Leadership Team (BLT) will nominate the Regional Management Officer and one of the four field science center administrative or field financial officers.

E. The Chief, Administrative Policy and Services, will review membership nominations to ensure a strong representational mix of field science centers.

F. Ex Officio Membership. The Chief, Administrative Policy and Services, and the Chief, Office of Policy and Analysis, will serve as non-voting ex officio FMT members.

4. Type of Organization. Permanent.

5. Reporting. The FMT reports to the Chief, Administrative Policy and Services.

6. Staff. None. The Chief, Office of Policy and Analysis, will ensure that minutes are prepared, distributed and maintained.

7. Resources. Salary expenses for the time required for FMT members to participate in team activities will be funded by their cost center or, if funds are available, by their sponsoring region (field science center managers) or discipline (national capability managers). Non-salary related expenses are expected to be minimal and will be funded as agreed upon by the Chair of the FMT and the Chief, Administrative Policy and Services.

8. Meetings. The FMT will meet on a monthly basis, typically via a conference call. Additional meetings may be called at the discretion of the Chairperson.

9. Subcommittees. The Chairperson is authorized to appoint subcommittees on an ad hoc basis with the endorsement of the FMT.

10. Termination Date. None. The need for continuation of the FMT will be reviewed every 3 years.

Approved:

signed_________________________________
Carol F. Aten
Chief, Office of Administrative Policy and Services