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FOREST SERVICE MANUAL
ROCKY MOUNTAIN RESEARCH STATION (RMRS)
FORT COLLINS, CO
FSM 1200 – ORGANIZATION
CHAPTER 1230 – DELEGATIONS OF AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY
Supplement No.: 1200-2009-1
Effective Date: April 24, 2009
Duration: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
Approved: GEORGE S. FOSTER
Station Director
Date Approved: 4/24/2009
Posting Instructions: Supplements are numbered consecutively by Title and calendar year. Print
on blue paper and post by document name. Remove the entire superseded document and replace it
with this supplement. Retain this transmittal as the first page(s) of this document. The last supplement
to this title was 1200-2002-1 to FSM 1230.
New Document(s):
1230
6 Pages
Superseded Document(s)
by Issuance Number and
Effective Date
1230 (Supplement 1200-2002-1, 10/10/2002)
3 Pages
Digest of Changes:
1230.41 – Designates line officer positions in the Rocky Mountain Research Station
1236.24 – Changes Project Leaders to Program Managers under “Station Signing Authority”
1236.25 – Defines the roles and responsibilities of the following: 1) Program Manager with Lab
Oversight, 2) Director’s Representative, 3) Local Lab Coordinating Committee (LLCC), and
4) Program Representatives
RMRS SUPPLEMENT: 1200-2009-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 4/24/2009
DURATION: Effective until superseded or removed
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FSM 1200 - ORGANIZATION
CHAPTER 1230 – DELEGATIONS OF AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY
1230.41 - Line Officers
Line officer authority is delegated to the following specific positions in the Rocky Mountain Research
Station (RMRS):
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Station Director
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Deputy Station Director(s)
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Assistant Station Director(s)
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Science Program Managers
As line officers, these positions are delegated authority and assigned responsibility as outlined in the
Washington Office Forest Service Manual (FSM) 1230.41.
1236 - DELEGATIONS OF AUTHORITY TO FIELD POSITIONS
1236.24 – Station Signing Authorities
Depending upon its content, correspondence and other documents must be signed by one of the
following:
1. Director. Authority reserved for the Station Director or Deputy Station Director:
a. Important or broad policy matters on which no previous up-to-date decision has been made.
b. Correspondence to Congressional contacts and chief executive officers of other agencies or
institutions.
c. Formal cooperation (except extramural research) that requires the signatures of Regional
Foresters, other Station Directors, or other officials of comparable level.
In the absence of the Director or Deputy Station Director, the Acting Director will sign such
documents for the Station Director.
2. Assistant Station Directors. Assistant Station Directors (ASD) may sign documents for
which they have been delegated authority over their own titles. In the absence of an ASD, their
designated “Acting” will sign for their respective areas.
3. Program Managers. When signing administrative documents as leaders of their units, they
should use the title of Program Manager. In correspondence with other scientists, Program
Managers may use their scientific operating titles.
4. Group Leaders. Group Leaders are responsible to perform, evaluate, and recommend actions
within their specific function areas. They are authorized to sign correspondence of a routine
nature that establishes functional operations within their areas of responsibility and existing
policy, and to parties both inside and outside the Station and Forest Service.
RMRS SUPPLEMENT: 1200-2009-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 4/24/2009
DURATION: Effective until superseded or removed
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FSM 1200 - ORGANIZATION
CHAPTER 1230 – DELEGATIONS OF AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY
5. Director’s Representatives. Director's Representatives at field laboratories are authorized to
sign correspondence dealing with overall administration and coordination of activities at those
locations over the title “Director’s Representative” (see 1236.25 below for responsibilities).
Such correspondence must not conflict with Station policy nor commit the use of money,
personnel, or other resources beyond that already authorized and approved.
6. Special Titles. In the performance of official duties, special signatures and titles are often
required. In those cases, individuals are authorized to sign over their titles, such as Contracting
Officer, Editor, Property Management Officer, Committee Chairperson, or Certifying Officer.
Such signing authorities are distinct from those requiring signatures by line officers.
7. Scientists. All Station researchers may sign correspondence to other scientists both inside and
outside the Forest Service for exchange of ideas and information on scientific and technical
subjects, and not involving matters of policy, commitment of funds, equipment, personnel,
property, or questions of administrative decisions made by superiors. Scientists must clear any
questionable correspondence with their immediate superior before mailing.
Forest Service policy is to prepare and finalize most of our letters in the correspondence database.
There are a few exceptions to this (for example, “official use only” letters). Whether letters are created
in the database or have been approved to be created outside of it, they must follow Forest Service
protocol and reflect a positive and professional image of the Station.
Correspondence to other Forest Service units should be addressed to the head of the receiving unit,
such as the Chief, Station Director, Regional Forester, etc., and be signed by a line officer. Use the
appropriate file code(s) to ensure the letter reaches the intended audience.
Line officers may delegate signing authority to their staff members on an individual basis for routine
correspondence. Delegations shall be in writing.
Based on the file code and/or content, incoming correspondence will be routed by the mailroom to
designated individuals to handle for the Station. If the correspondence needs to be shared with other
Station employees, a cover letter will be prepared and sent through the correspondence database with
the appropriate signature block. Forwarding via e-mail message should be done only when there is a
short turn around time on a reply due letter or the information is time critical. Cover letters should be
written in a clear, concise manner and include information relevant to Station recipients, including
reply due date and submission format (when appropriate), contact information for questions, etc.
It is important that we meet our reply due obligations to the Washington Office. Our official reply
letters to the WO shall be prepared with the Station Director’s signature block and transmitted through
the correspondence database.
RMRS SUPPLEMENT: 1200-2009-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 4/24/2009
DURATION: Effective until superseded or removed
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FSM 1200 - ORGANIZATION
CHAPTER 1230 – DELEGATIONS OF AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY
1236.25 - Research Project Leaders
The following roles and responsibilities have been delegated by the Station Director in order to provide
leadership and oversight at all RMRS lab locations:
Program Manager with Lab Oversight: The Station Director will appoint a Program Manager with
oversight responsibilities for each lab location. Responsibilities of the Program Manager with Lab
oversight include:
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Line authority for local lab issues.
Assist the Director’s Rep in execution of their responsibilities. Serve as the first line of contact
for the Director’s Rep, especially when dealing with multi-program and controversial or
delicate situations.
Approve local lab budgets.
Approve space allocations and usage of lab space and common use equipment, considering
recommendations from the Local Lab Coordinating Committee and, if necessary, following
consultation with Program Managers, other Leadership Team members with staff at the
location, and the Union.
Determine supervision of the lab Business Manager in consultation with the Director’s Rep.
Director’s Representative (DR): Each field location shall have one individual appointed as the
Director’s Representative. This appointment shall remain in effect until changes are made at the
Station Director's discretion. Responsibilities of the Director’s Rep include:
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Represent the Station Director in general contacts with visitors, universities, Federal agencies,
and other Forest Service units, as requested.
Inform the Station Director of conditions, problems, and opportunities at their location that
might affect the Station and its work. Keep Program Managers, the Business Manager,
Operations staff, and others informed as needed.
Be a point of contact for employee and tenant input, coordination, questions, or concerns on
laboratory related issues.
Be a point of contact for Program Managers, local Program Representatives, the Business
Manager, Operations staffs, and others seeking information or having questions.
Coordinate with the Business Manager and local Program Representatives to schedule and
conduct lab-wide reviews and meetings. Work with the Business Manager to communicate
with the local lab community regarding issues affecting lab employees, including scheduling
and agendas for lab-wide meetings and other functions.
Authorize administrative leave for emergencies, keeping Station Headquarters informed. This
authority may not be re-delegated.
Supervise the Business Manager and assist them in executing their delegated responsibilities,
including common property; laboratory safety, security, and housekeeping; and handling
laboratory visitors. In cases where they do not supervise the Business Manager, they will
provide input to the Business Manager’s performance standards and evaluation.
RMRS SUPPLEMENT: 1200-2009-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 4/24/2009
DURATION: Effective until superseded or removed
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FSM 1200 - ORGANIZATION
CHAPTER 1230 – DELEGATIONS OF AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY
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Work with the Business Manager to develop and monitor the local lab budget. Make budget
recommendations to the Program Manager with Lab Oversight.
Serve as chair of the Local Lab Coordinating Committee (LLCC). Solicit input and
consultation from the LLCC in developing options and recommendations regarding local lab
issues, including budget and space allocation and utilization. Responsible for implementing
action items.
Make recommendations regarding lab budget and space allocation to the Program Manager
with Lab oversight, and implement decisions.
Designate an “acting” DR when they will be absent from the lab. Delegation shall be in writing
and be provided to all lab tenants, including specific delegated duties.
Local Lab Coordinating Committee (LLCC): Each lab will have a Local Lab Coordinating
Committee consisting of the Director's Rep (who chairs the committee and also represents their
Program), Program Representatives (appointed by the PM) for each Program with staff at the location,
the Business Manager, a union representative, and (as necessary) the local Facility Manager.
Participation by other lab tenants will be up to local discretion. The LLCC is expected to act as a team,
balancing Program with corporate interests and priorities. Responsibilities of the LLCC include:
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Discuss options, provide analysis, and develop recommendations on issues related to allocation
and utilization of office and laboratory space. Where consensus cannot be reached, the DR will
forward their recommendation, along with alternate proposals, to the PM with lab oversight.
Provide input to the DR on development and periodic review of the lab operating budget.
Review and recommend safety and security procedures to responsible Program Managers,
including emergency plans. Ensure there is an active lab safety committee.
Recommend scheduling and agenda topics for lab-wide meetings and other functions.
Coordinate with Station Facilities Management to identify and prioritize safety, maintenance,
and equipment needs.
Coordinate “green” activities to promote conservation and reduction of the labs environmental
footprint.
Serve as a forum to provide input and consultation about local lab issues, and for employees to
daylight issues of concern.
Program Representatives: Each Program Manager (PM) with staff at a lab where they are not
physically located will appoint a Program Representative to represent the Program while also keeping
corporate Station interests in mind. The PM may delegate (in writing) decision making authority to the
Program Representative. Responsibilities of the Program Reps are, in consultation with their PM, to:
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Represent the Program in contacts with visitors, universities, and other agencies.
Serve as the primary point of contact for their respective Program Manager, assisting in
conveying and acquiring information from local Program employees.
Be the local Program point of contact for the Director’s Representative.
Provide information to the Program Manager on potential opportunities and/or situations that
might affect the productivity or advancement of the Program's work.
RMRS SUPPLEMENT: 1200-2009-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 4/24/2009
DURATION: Effective until superseded or removed
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FSM 1200 - ORGANIZATION
CHAPTER 1230 – DELEGATIONS OF AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY
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Serve as the representative (voice) for the Program on the LLCC. Represent Program interests
on issues related to:
o Allocation and utilization of office and laboratory space.
o Facility needs.
o Development and review of lab budget.
o Performance review input for Business Manager and facility maintenance staff.
o Safety and security procedures, including emergency action plans.
Provide local Program coordination regarding issues such as:
o Procedures regarding government vehicles.
o Equipment storage, use, etc.
o Storage area use, cleanliness, and safety.
In consultation with the Program Manager, designate a Program representative to serve on the
local lab safety committee.