308.67 – Joint Business and Field Leaders Team

Issuance Number:     308.67

Subject:                        Joint Business and Field Leaders Team

Issuance Date:             2/27/2023

Expiration Date:         2/27/2026

Responsible Office:    Office of Administration

Instruction: This charter merges the committees at Survey Manual (SM) 308.67, Business Leaders Team, dated November 6, 2014, and SM 308.68, Field Managers Team, dated September 16, 2016.

Approving Official:     /s/ Shari M. DeLung

                                        Acting Associate Director for Administration

1.    Purpose and Scope.  This SM chapter serves as the charter for the Joint Business and Field Leaders Team. This committee is under the authority of the Associate Director for Administration (AD/OA).  The committee’s primary purpose is to:

A.  Provide input to the AD/OA on administrative policy issues;

B.  Serve 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 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;

C.  Act as a forum for raising issues of concern that relate to administrative policies or procedures; and

D.  Provide leadership, communication, and guidance in implementing administrative policy decisions and business practices within their organizational units.

The AD/OA will make any final decision regarding committee recommendations and communicate these via email and (or) a section on the monthly agenda.

2.    Type of Organization.  Permanent.

3.    Functions.  Functions of the committee are as follows:

A.  Identify and prioritize administrative issues and challenges that require the attention of, and action by, the AD/OA.

B.  Provide background information and participate in discussions involving administrative and organizational policy decisions.

C.  Provide background information and participate in discussions involving field operations and field organizational policy decisions.

D.  Anticipate and assess the impact of policy decisions on constituents.

E.  Recommend business solutions to business problems.

F.  Align administrative operations with policy decisions on common business practices.

G.  Develop strategic and communications plans for implementation of policies and business practices within organizational units of responsibility.

H.  Monitor and measure progress and accomplishments through standardized metrics.

4.    Membership and Terms.  The following memberships are permanent, based on position within the organization:

A.  AD/OA;

B.  Deputy AD for OA (who also serves as the Team Chairperson);

C.  OA Office Chiefs;

D.  Office of the Associate Chief Information Officer, Chief Program Management Office;

E.  Regional Management Officers;

F.  Senior Management Officers;

G.  Deputy Director for the Office of Science Quality and Integrity or designee;

H.  Chief, Branch of International Science Collaboration, International Programs;

I.  Integration Officer from the Office of Budget, Planning and Integration;

J.  Each Regional Director will be responsible for nominating a Science Center Director from their geographic area; and

K.  The Regional Directors should work together to nominate from the seven Regions, three field science center Administrative Officers.

5.    Membership Tenure.  Members from categories (A.) through (I.) above are permanent based on the individual who holds each of these positions.  Members in categories (J.) and (K.) will serve a term of 3 years.  Initial appointments to the team are those individuals who are currently members of the Field Managers Team.  The AD/OA will review and manage membership nominations to ensure a representational mix of field science centers.

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

7.    Staff Support.  None; the Chairperson will ensure that minutes are prepared, distributed, maintained, and posted appropriately.

8.    Meetings.  The committee will meet monthly via teleconference.  Additional meetings may be called at the discretion of the Chairperson.

9.    Resources.  All expenses required for members to participate in committee activities will be funded by their respective cost centers or, if funds are available, by their sponsoring program or mission area.

10.    Reporting.  The committee reports to the AD/OA.