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FOREST SERVICE MANUAL
NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS (WO)
WASHINGTON, DC
FSM 7100 - ENGINEERING OPERATIONS
CHAPTER 7110 - ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT
Amendment No.: 7100-2004-1
Effective Date: August 31, 2004
Duration: This amendment is effective until superseded or removed.
Approved:
FRED NORBURY
Associate Deputy Chief
Date Approved: 08/19/2004
Posting Instructions: Amendments are numbered consecutively by title and calendar year.
Post by document; remove the entire document and replace it with this amendment. Retain this
transmittal as the first page(s) of this document. The last amendment to this title was
7100-2000-1 to 7100.
New Document
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12 Pages
Superseded Document(s) by
Issuance Number and
Effective Date
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(Amendment 7100-2000-1, 09/15/2000)
10 Pages
Digest:
7115.01 - Establishes this code and adds section on authority.
7115.03 - Adds policy that all exam materials are confidential and are not to be released under
the Freedom of Information Act (para. 6).
7115.04 - Reorganizes, recodes, and revises responsibilities. Removes Data Base Manager.
Adds National Construction Certification Program Coordinator, Forest Certification Coordinator,
and Exam Proctor.
7115.1 - Adds Watershed Rehabilitation to categories of work requiring certification.
WO AMENDMENT 7100-2004-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 08/31/2004
DURATION: This amendment is effective until superseded or removed.
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FSM 7100 - ENGINEERING OPERATIONS
CHAPTER 7110 - ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT
Table of Contents
7111 - STUDIES [Reserved] .......................................................................................... 3
7112 - ENGINEERING SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AND WORKFORCE UTILIZATION
[Reserved] ........................................................................................................... 3
7113 - TECHNICAL DATA SYSTEMS [Reserved] ........................................................ 3
7114 - MULTIPLE ACTIVITIES ANALYSES [Reserved] ............................................... 3
7115 - CERTIFICATION OF PERSONNEL ENGAGED IN FOREST SERVICE
CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS ............................................................................ 3
7115.01 - Authority ................................................................................................................. 3
7115.02 - Objectives ............................................................................................................... 3
7115.03 - Policy ...................................................................................................................... 3
7115.04 - Responsibility ......................................................................................................... 4
7115.04a - Deputy Chief for the National Forest System ....................................................... 4
7115.04b - Washington Office, Director of Engineering ....................................................... 4
7115.04c - Washington Office, National Construction Certification Program Manager ....... 4
7115.04d - National Construction Certification Program Coordinator................................... 5
7115.04e - Regional Forester .................................................................................................. 5
7115.04f - Regional Construction Certification Officer ......................................................... 5
7115.04g - Forest Staff Officer for Engineering Activities .................................................... 6
7115.04h - Forest Construction Certification Coordinator ..................................................... 6
7115.04i - Exam Proctor ......................................................................................................... 7
7115.1 - Construction Work Requiring Certification ................................................................. 7
7116 - ENGINEERING COMPUTER SYSTEMS ............................................................ 9
7116.02 - Objectives ............................................................................................................... 9
7116.04 - Responsibility ......................................................................................................... 9
7116.04a - Washington Office, Director of Engineering ........................................................ 9
7116.04b - Regional Staff Director for Engineering Activities .............................................. 9
7116.04c - Forest Staff Officer for Engineering Activities .................................................... 9
7116.1 - Engineering Computer Systems ................................................................................. 10
7117 - ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER ................ 10
7117.02 - Objectives ............................................................................................................. 10
7117.03 - Policy .................................................................................................................... 10
7117.04 - Responsibility ....................................................................................................... 10
7117.04a - Deputy Chief for the National Forest System ..................................................... 10
7117.04b - Washington Office, Director of Engineering ..................................................... 11
7117.04c - Regional Forester ................................................................................................ 11
7117.04d - Forest Supervisor ................................................................................................ 11
7118 - EVALUATION STANDARDS FOR ENGINEERING ACTIVITIES ..................... 11
7118.02 - Objectives ............................................................................................................. 11
7118.04 - Responsibility ....................................................................................................... 12
7118.04a - Washington Office, Director of Engineering ...................................................... 12
7118.04b - Regional Staff Director for Engineering Activities ............................................ 12
WO AMENDMENT 7100-2004-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 08/31/2004
DURATION: This amendment is effective until superseded or removed.
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FSM 7100 - ENGINEERING OPERATIONS
CHAPTER 7110 - ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT
7111 - STUDIES [Reserved]
7112 - ENGINEERING SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AND WORKFORCE UTILIZATION
[Reserved]
7113 - TECHNICAL DATA SYSTEMS [Reserved]
7114 - MULTIPLE ACTIVITIES ANALYSES [Reserved]
7115 - CERTIFICATION OF PERSONNEL ENGAGED IN FOREST SERVICE
CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
7115.01 - Authority
1. Acquisition Workforce Training, Delegation, and Tracking Systems - USDA
Departmental Regulation (DR) 5001-1. This regulation establishes procedures for the USDA
Acquisition Workforce Career Management Program.
2. Federal Acquisitions Regulations (FSH 6309.32). These regulations describe the
delegation of authority to the Contracting Officer and designated representatives to conduct
official business with a contractor in the administration of a contract. These regulations also
establish Forest Service Acquisition Regulation System to implement DR 5001-1.
7115.02 - Objectives
The objectives of establishing and maintaining a certification program for administering Forest
Service construction projects are:
1. To ensure that the quality of construction work administered by Forest Service
personnel meets or exceeds applicable legal and administrative standards and requirements.
2. To ensure that Forest Service personnel have the requisite skill and competence to
administer construction projects to the required standards (FSM 7313.4 and FSM 7721.34).
7115.03 - Policy
1. Ensure that Forest Service personnel assigned to administer construction projects
(FSM 7115.1) obtain and keep current the formal certification of their skills and proficiencies in
accordance with FSH 7109.17, National Construction Certification Handbook. All disciplines
having construction contracting responsibilities should be certified in appropriate categories in
accordance with the provisions of FSH 7109.17.
2. Examine, certify, and recertify eligible employees in accordance with the
requirements and procedures set forth in FSH 7109.17.
WO AMENDMENT 7100-2004-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 08/31/2004
DURATION: This amendment is effective until superseded or removed.
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FSM 7100 - ENGINEERING OPERATIONS
CHAPTER 7110 - ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT
3. Do not use certification, or the lack thereof, as an evaluation criterion in filling
positions under competitive merit promotion procedures. Duties requiring certification may be
used in the position description and as an element or standard in performance appraisals for
positions involving contract administration of Forest Service construction projects.
4. Provide and monitor an organized training and development program to improve skills
within the Forest Service work force and to qualify and certify personnel to administer
construction contracts.
5. Ensure that certification prerequisites are standard throughout the Forest Service and
are based on training, experience, and performance.
6. The examinations (including all questions, choices, graphics, drawings, and other
related materials) are confidential and shall not be released under the Freedom of Information
Act.
7115.04 - Responsibility
7115.04a - Deputy Chief for the National Forest System
It is the responsibility of the Deputy Chief for the National Forest System to issue minimum
standards of performance, skill, and proficiency required for certification of personnel
administering construction contracts.
7115.04b - Washington Office, Director of Engineering
It is the responsibility of the Washington Office, Director of Engineering to:
1. Direct the development and revision of the certification program's examination and
training material.
2. Direct changes and/or revisions to job performance requirements and certification
procedures as needed.
3. Designate the Washington Office, National Construction Certification Program
Manager and National Construction Certification Program Coordinator.
7115.04c - Washington Office, National Construction Certification Program
Manager
It is the responsibility of the Washington Office, National Construction Certification Program
Manager (NCCPM) to provide oversight and ensure the National Construction Certification
Program objectives in FSM 7115.02 are being attained and recommend appropriate changes.
WO AMENDMENT 7100-2004-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 08/31/2004
DURATION: This amendment is effective until superseded or removed.
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FSM 7100 - ENGINEERING OPERATIONS
CHAPTER 7110 - ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT
7115.04d - National Construction Certification Program Coordinator
It is the responsibility of the National Construction Certification Program Coordinator (NCCPC)
to:
1. Coordinate the activities of the Regional Construction Certification Officers.
2. Coordinate development, review, and administration of electronic exams Servicewide.
3. Provide training as necessary on the electronic exam process.
4. Manage NCCP exam and records databases.
5. Provide exam statistics to the WO National Construction Certification Program
Manager and Regional Construction Certification Officers.
6. Ensure that current exam materials and self-study guides are available.
7115.04e - Regional Forester
It is the responsibility of the Regional Forester to:
1. Establish and maintain an inventory of personnel certified in the administration of
construction contracts.
2. Designate a Regional Construction Certification Officer.
3. Ensure that the Region develops, maintains, and updates exam materials, self-study
training courses, and job performance requirements for assigned National Construction
Certification Program categories set forth in FSM 7115.1, exhibit 01.
7115.04f - Regional Construction Certification Officer
It is the responsibility of each Regional Construction Certification Officer to administer and
coordinate the Regional Construction Certification Program. Specific responsibilities include:
1. Determining training needs in all certification program categories.
2. Coordinating Regional examination activities.
3. Reviewing that candidates for certification and recertification meet the minimum
criteria (FSH 7109.17) and requesting verification when need is indicated.
WO AMENDMENT 7100-2004-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 08/31/2004
DURATION: This amendment is effective until superseded or removed.
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FSM 7100 - ENGINEERING OPERATIONS
CHAPTER 7110 - ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT
4. Scheduling oral examination panels and selecting panel members. May delegate basic
oral panel selection and responsibilities to the Forest Staff Officer for Engineering Activities.
Responsibility for advanced orals may not be delegated.
5. Assisting Forest, laboratory, and other field office coordinators in developing training
materials that comply with the national certification training standards.
6. Issuing and validating National Construction Certification Program certificates.
7. Revoking certification (FSH 7109.17, sec. 31).
8. Maintaining regional certification records and forwarding certification data for
transferred personnel.
9. Coordinating certification activities with appropriate staff specialists.
10. Developing additional material specific to local training needs.
7115.04g - Forest Staff Officer for Engineering Activities
It is the responsibility of each Forest Staff Officer for Engineering Activities to:
1. Determine certification and training needs of individuals administering construction
projects. Coordinate with other resource staff officers as applicable.
2. Provide prerequisite experience and training, and maintain training records.
3. Ensure that certification candidates can perform the duties and carry out the
responsibilities in the job performance requirements.
4. Provide assistance to Regional Construction Certification Officer in the preparation of
job performance requirements and revisions to examinations and training materials.
5. Assign an employee as Inspector-in-Training, when appropriate.
6. Designate Forest Certification Coordinator and Exam Proctors.
7115.04h - Forest Construction Certification Coordinator
It is the responsibility of the Forest Construction Certification Coordinator to:
1. Maintain Forest Construction Certification Program records.
2. Administer or coordinate examinations.
WO AMENDMENT 7100-2004-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 08/31/2004
DURATION: This amendment is effective until superseded or removed.
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3. Serve as Exam Proctor or provide supervision, oversight, and training of Exam
Proctors.
4. Ensure exam handouts and reference materials are available during exams.
7115.04i - Exam Proctor
It is the responsibility of the Exam Proctor to:
1. Prepare examination site and equipment.
2. Monitor time limits.
3. Prevent the exam from being compromised.
7115.1 - Construction Work Requiring Certification
The areas and categories of construction work listed in exhibit 01 of this section require formal
certification.
The Regions listed in exhibit 01 have specific responsibility for developing, revising, and
updating the examination and self-study guide materials, including job performance
requirements, for their assigned subject area(s), on an annual basis.
WO AMENDMENT 7100-2004-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 08/31/2004
DURATION: This amendment is effective until superseded or removed.
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CHAPTER 7110 - ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT
7115.1 - Exhibit 01
Categories of Work Requiring Certification
Category No.
Subject Area (Examination and Associated Materials)
Responsible Region
1
Roads
Region 10
2
Contract Administration: Timber Sale Construction Inspector
Region 6
3
Contract Administration: Public Works Inspector
Region 3
4
Aggregate Base and Surfacing
Region 1
5
Concrete
Region 1
6
Trails
Region 2
7
Asphalt Paving and Surface Treatment
Region 5
8
Bridges
Region 4
9
Sampling and Testing (Mentoring and Study Guide Only)
Region 5
10
Asphalt Surface Treatment
Region 5
11
Water and Wastewater
Region 9
12
Buildings
Region 8
13
Advanced Administration: Timber Sale Engineering
Representative
Region 6
14
Advanced Administration: Public Works Contracting
Officers' Representative
Region 3
15
Watershed Rehabilitation
Region 10
WO AMENDMENT 7100-2004-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 08/31/2004
DURATION: This amendment is effective until superseded or removed.
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CHAPTER 7110 - ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT
7116 - ENGINEERING COMPUTER SYSTEMS
7116.02 - Objectives
1. To minimize duplication of effort, trial-and-error procedures, project costs, and work
force impacts.
2. To maintain Servicewide compatibility of major engineering data bases.
7116.04 - Responsibility
7116.04a - Washington Office, Director of Engineering
The Washington Office, Director of Engineering is responsible for:
1. Developing, maintaining, operating, implementing, and training for Servicewide
engineering computer systems.
2. Designating a Washington Office, Computer Systems Coordinator.
7116.04b - Regional Staff Director for Engineering Activities
The Regional Staff Director for engineering activities is responsible for:
1. Developing, maintaining, operating, implementing training for Regional level
engineering databases.
2. Supporting Servicewide engineering systems.
3. Designating a Regional Engineering Computer Systems Coordinator.
7116.04c - Forest Staff Officer for Engineering Activities
The Forest Staff Officer for engineering activities is responsible for:
1. Developing, maintaining, operating, implementing, providing training for, and
coordinating forest level engineering databases.
2. Supporting Regional and Servicewide engineering systems.
WO AMENDMENT 7100-2004-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 08/31/2004
DURATION: This amendment is effective until superseded or removed.
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CHAPTER 7110 - ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT
7116.1 - Engineering Computer Systems
1. Ensure that development of new engineering computer systems and revisions and
enhancements to existing engineering computer systems conform with the standards and
requirements established in FSM 6620 and the April 1993 Infrastructure Focus Area Strategy
Project final report.
2. Maintain all engineering computer systems as agreed to and in accordance with
FSM 6620.
7117 - ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER
7117.02 - Objectives
1. To improve engineering productivity.
2. To promote technology transfer.
3. To reduce the cost and improve the quality of Forest Service end products.
7117.03 - Policy
1. Use appropriate existing technology, and procure or develop new technology
whenever productivity can be improved, and it is economically feasible.
2. Establish and maintain work environments, which encourage the rapid exchange of
useful information and the ready implementation of appropriate technology.
3. Share existing and new technology successes and failures and alternative solutions
currently being studied.
7117.04 - Responsibility
7117.04a - Deputy Chief for the National Forest System
It is the responsibility of the Deputy Chief for the National Forest System to approve all
Servicewide engineering technology projects selected for development, testing, implementation,
or transfer to field units.
WO AMENDMENT 7100-2004-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 08/31/2004
DURATION: This amendment is effective until superseded or removed.
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CHAPTER 7110 - ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT
7117.04b - Washington Office, Director of Engineering
It is the responsibility of the Washington Office, Director of Engineering to:
1. Manage Washington Office engineering technology project selection, development,
testing, implementation, and transfer to field units.
2. Develop and manage systems for Servicewide engineering technology and
information transfer.
7117.04c - Regional Forester
It is the responsibility of the Regional Forester to:
1. Support Servicewide engineering systems.
2. Develop and maintain Regional systems for engineering technology and information
transfer.
7117.04d - Forest Supervisor
It is the responsibility of the Forest Supervisor to:
1. Support Servicewide and Regional engineering systems.
2. Develop and maintain Forest systems for engineering technology and information
transfer.
7118 - EVALUATION STANDARDS FOR ENGINEERING ACTIVITIES
7118.02 - Objectives
1. To ensure that Servicewide engineering activities are evaluated at all organizational
levels in a uniform manner (FSM 1410.2).
2. To ensure that Servicewide engineering activities are performed at an acceptable level,
and those objectives, policies, controls and evaluation standards for each activity are
commensurate with the degree of risk associated with the activity (FSM 1403).
WO AMENDMENT 7100-2004-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 08/31/2004
DURATION: This amendment is effective until superseded or removed.
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7118.04 - Responsibility
7118.04a - Washington Office, Director of Engineering
It is the responsibility of the Washington Office, Director of Engineering to develop and ensure
proper use of Servicewide engineering activity evaluation standards (FSH 7109.52).
7118.04b - Regional Staff Director for Engineering Activities
It is the responsibility of the Regional Staff Director for engineering activities to assist in
developing appropriate Servicewide engineering activity evaluation standards, and ensure proper
use of those standards in the review of Regional and Forest level engineering activities.