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FOREST SERVICE MANUAL
NORTHERN RESEARCH STATION (NRS)
NEWTOWN SQUARE, PA
FSM 1200 – ORGANIZATION
CHAPTER 30
Supplement No.: NRS-1200-2009-1
Effective Date: June 2, 2009
Duration: Effective until superseded or removed.
Approved: MICHAEL T. RAINS
Station Director
Date Approved: 06/02/2009
Posting Instructions: Supplements are numbered consecutively by Title and calendar year. Post
by document name. Remove entire document and replace with this supplement. Retain this
transmittal as the first page of this document. The last supplement to this Title was
NRS-1200-2008-1.
New Document(s):
1236
5 Pages
Superseded Document(s):
1236
3 Pages
(Last supplement was
NRS-1200-2007-3 dated 10/04/2007.)
Digest:
1236
Replaces Supplements NRS-1200-2007-3 and NRS-1200-2008-1 by combining them
into one updated policy.
Outlines the decision and signing authorities for the Northern Research Station Director
and NRS Leadership. Lists the Director’s Representatives’ (DRs) responsibilities.
No longer lists DRs by name.
NRS SUPPLEMENT 1200-2009-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 06/02/2009
DURATION: Effective until superseded or removed.
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FSM 1200 – ORGANIZATION
CHAPTER 30-DELEGATIONS OF AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY
1236 – DELEGATIONS OF AUTHORITY TO FIELD POSITIONS
Decision and signing authorities are listed for the Station Director, Deputy Director, Assistant Station
Directors for Research, the Assistant Director for Business Operations, Program Managers, Business
Operations Group Leaders, Director’s Representatives, and Project Leaders. At the beginning of each
fiscal year, all levels of Station leadership will submit a memo designating Acting assignments to their
line officer and subordinates.
1236.21 – Station Director
The Director is the line officer to the Chief and is responsible for the conduct of all research activities
assigned to the position. (See FSM 1236.21.) In prolonged absences of the Director and Deputy
Director, the Director will appoint an Assistant Director to be “Acting” Director.
1236.22 – Deputy Station Director
The Deputy Director serves as a full operating alternate to the Director and is delegated all functions
that are vested in the Director. The Deputy Director will sign either for the Director or over the
Deputy Director’s signature block.
1236.23 – Assistant Station Directors
The Assistant Directors for Research are responsible and have authority for the research activities
within their respective research work units.
1236.24 – Station Signing Authorities
Budget:
Meetings: (FSM 1360.3) For any meeting costing the Station over $5,000, a written proposal must
be submitted for the Director’s approval. The Director re-delegates authority for approval of meetings
costing $5,000 or less to the Director’s Representatives and Project Leaders. They will track meetings
and be prepared to provide meeting documentation to submit quarterly conference/training data within
one month of the quarter’s end.
All employees are expected to maintain sufficient records relating to meeting attendance to comply
with quarterly reporting requirements outlined in Forest Service Manual 1300, Chapter 60 – Meetings
Management.
Travel: The Station Director’s travel authorizations and travel vouchers will be approved by the
signing official designated by the Washington Office. The Station Director has authority to approve
and sign the Deputy Director’s and Assistant Directors’ travel authorizations and vouchers. The
Deputy Director has signing authority in the absence of the Director.
NRS SUPPLEMENT 1200-2009-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 06/02/2009
DURATION: Effective until superseded or removed.
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FSM 1200 – ORGANIZATION
CHAPTER 30-DELEGATIONS OF AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY
The Assistant Directors for Research have signing authority for Program Managers and
Project Leaders. The Director’s Representatives and Project Leaders have signing authority for their
sites. The Assistant Director for Business Operations has signing authority for Group Leaders, and
Group Leaders have signing authority for the employees they supervise.
Correspondence:
1. The Assistant Directors for Research: The Assistant Directors (ADs) for Research will prepare the
following correspondence for the Director’s signature:
a. Controlled Correspondence: correspondence to members of Congress, Governors, or other
prominent individuals. (See FSH 6209.12, Chapter 20 for detailed direction.)
b. Establishment or change of important policy.
c. Critical interpretation of policy.
d. Application of policy in difficult situations.
e. Matters of a controversial nature.
f. Long-range commitments and those that involve substantial amounts of money, staffing and/or
other resources.
g. Matters that cross the Assistant Director’s or Program Managers’ assigned responsibility.
h. New programs.
i. Formal cooperation.
j. Replies to General Management Reviews (GMRs), Program Reviews (PRs) and
Activity Reviews (ARs).
In performing these duties, ADs will sign all correspondence within their respective areas, except for
those subject areas reserved for the Director. The signature blocks will reflect the name and title of the
Assistant Director for Research.
2. Assistant Director for Business Operations: The Assistant Director for Business Operations is
authorized to sign all correspondence relating to the Operations area of responsibility, except for those
subject areas reserved for the signature of the Director. The signature block will reflect the name and
title of the Assistant Director for Business Operations.
3. Program Managers: Program Managers are responsible and have authority to sign all
correspondence relating to their respective programs. They do not sign correspondence in those
subject areas reserved for the signature of the Director. The signature block will reflect the name and
title of the Program Manager and the name of the Program.
4. Business Operations Group Leaders: Group Leaders or their delegated “Actings” are authorized to
sign reports.
5. Director’s Representatives: Director’s Representatives are authorized to sign correspondence
within the scope of this special designation. The signature block will reflect the name and title of
Director’s Representative.
NRS SUPPLEMENT 1200-2009-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 06/02/2009
DURATION: Effective until superseded or removed.
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FSM 1200 – ORGANIZATION
CHAPTER 30-DELEGATIONS OF AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY
6. Project Leaders: In administrative matters, Project Leaders will sign correspondence using the
Project Leader title. In corresponding with other scientists they will use their scientist operating title.
7. Scientists: Scientists are encouraged to correspond freely with colleagues on scientific subjects and
to keep current on all active research developments.
Grants:
The Station Director is designated as the signatory official for grants, cooperative agreements, and
other agreements for programs under his or her jurisdiction. The authority is delegated in writing to
the Deputy Director, Assistant Directors (See FSM 1580.41b.) and certified Grants and Agreements
(G&A) Specialists.
Human Resources:
See chart in Supplement NRS-6100-2009-1, Exhibit 01.
1236.25 – Research Project Leaders and Director’s Representatives
Each line Research Work Unit constitutes a specific subject-matter assignment made to a unit with a
Project Leader responsible for carrying out the approved research program. The Project Leader has
delegated line authority to assign, direct, and control personnel and facilities; and to make technical
determinations and decisions within the limits of approved project programs and plans.
The Director designates a Director’s Representative at each field site for a five year term. The Director
will verify the designation through an annual delegation memo.
The Director’s Representatives is:
1.
The Director’s principal contact at a field location.
2.
The chairperson of the forestry sciences laboratory Coordinating Committee consisting of
Program Manager, Project Leaders/Team Leaders and the Facilities Operations Manager or Specialist
as well as representative(s) of any tenant unit (e.g., Northeastern Area State & Private Forestry). This
Committee meets at least quarterly to address common activities and problems not specific to any one
“project.”
3.
The chairperson of the local Safety and Health Committee. This Committee is responsible for
the oversight of the annual action plan, inspection, and accident reporting requirements.
4.
The Director’s Representative for public contacts and external relations.
5.
The supervisor of local Administrative Support/Business Operations employees not assigned
exclusively to any one Program, Project, or Team.
NRS SUPPLEMENT 1200-2009-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 06/02/2009
DURATION: Effective until superseded or removed.
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FSM 1200 – ORGANIZATION
CHAPTER 30-DELEGATIONS OF AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY
6.
The final arbiter on space issues after consultation with the Facilities Operations Manager or
Specialist, other leaders and other partners, where applicable.
7.
The authority to make decisions on local issues such as emergencies and severe weather
closures.
In order to provide continuity during periods of planned absence, the Director’s Representative will
select a Program Manager, Project Leader, Team Leader or in the absence of any of the above, a Senior
Employee, to serve as acting Director’s Representative. The DR will notify the Station Director and
the concerned Assistant Director(s) of the acting assignment.
Site Locations
Amherst, MA
Burlington, VT
Columbia, MO
Delaware, OH
Durham, NH
East Lansing, MI
Evanston, IL
Grand Rapids, MN
Hamden, CT
Houghton, MI
Irvine, PA
Madison, WI
Morgantown, WV
Parsons, WV
Princeton, WV
Rhinelander, WI
St. Paul, MN
Syracuse, NY
West Lafayette, IN