Office of Science Quality and Integrity
Documents
2017 Ethics Guide for DOI Employees
2017 Ethics Guide for Department of the Interior Employees
Conflicts of Interest
As explained in the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch, 5 Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.) 2635.402, an employee is prohibited by a criminal ethics statute, 18 U.S.C. § 208(a), from participating personally and substantially in an official capacity in any particular matter in which, to his/her knowledge, he/she or any person whose
Documents to Include in RGE-EDGE Submissions & Instructions - Nov 2020
A list of documents for scientists to include in their RGE or EDGE packages. Instructions and submission information are included.
Ethics Office guidance regarding adjunct or affiliate status with univ
Adjunct or affiliate status with universities and research institutes is typically granted to USGS employees on the basis of their official USGS job duties and scientific research. The linkage between the adjunct/affiliate status and their USGS positions means that USGS employees have restrictions on their interactions with universities and research institutions that their
FSP for Authors of Other Information Products (pdf)
This training module is intended primarily for USGS authors and covers the requirements and best practices for obtaining USGS Bureau approval for information products other than journal articles, Abstracts, Posters, and Presentations. There are separate training modules available for these other information product types owing to the different FSP requirements associated
FSP for First Line Supervisors (pdf)
This training module is intended primarily for USGS first line supervisors who directly manage scientists, contractors, or emeriti employed by or associated with the USGS or who oversee research grants given to entities outside of the USGS.
FSP for Science Center Directors (pdf)
This training module explains USGS Fundamental Science Practice responsibilities for USGS Science Center Directors.
FSP Overview (pdf)
No matter what policies and guidelines are developed, the responsibility for science excellence remains where it has always been—in the hands and minds of the dedicated scientists of the USGS.
FSP Requirements for Abstracts, Posters, and Presentations (pdf)
This training module is intended primarily for USGS authors and covers the requirements and best practices for obtaining USGS Bureau approval for Abstracts, Posters, and Presentations.
Information Quality - USGS Peer Review Agenda PDF (03/2020)
Information Quality - USGS Peer Review Agenda Word doc (01/2021)
Updated January 2021
Interim Update to 2017 Ethics Guide for DOI Employees
This update slightly modifies previous information on page 4, which is now "You shall adhere to all laws and regulations that provide equal opportunities for all Americans regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability."
List of Employees Serving with Professional Scientific Organizations
List of Employees Serving with Professional Scientific Organization in their Official Capacity (Last Updated in May 2018)
Northwest Wellfield Study Publication Initial Inquiry
Northwest Wellfield Study Publication Initial USGS Response
Notification of Post-Government Compensation and Recusal Statement
Notification of Negotiations for Post-Government Compensation and Recusal Statement: OGE Form 278 filers are required by the STOCK Act to send this notification and recusal statement (both signed and dated, as an email attachment) to EthicsOffice@usgs.gov within 3 business days after beginning any negotiations for
Office of Special Counsel advisory on Black Lives Matter and the Hatch
I. INTRODUCTION
Beginning in late May 2020, protesters began organizing large demonstrations across the
United States. The immediate precipitating event was the videotaped police killing of George
Floyd, a black man. However, the demonstrations are largely focused on the issue of racism in
America more broadly and not limited to Mr. Floyd’s
Peer Review Plan - Impacts of sand removal/placement in coast barriers
Impacts of sand removal and placement in coastal barrier systems
Peer Review Plan - Klamath River sediment and corridor assessment
Sediment mobility and river corridor assessment for a 140-km segment of the mainstem Klamath River below Iron Gate Dam, CA
Peer Review Summary - Klamath River sediment and corridor assessment
Sediment mobility and river corridor assessment for a 140-km segment of the mainstem Klamath River below Iron Gate Dam, CA, By J.A. Curtis, T.B. Poitras, S. Bond, and K.B. Byrd.
Peer Review Summary-Rangewide Greater SageGrouse Monitoring Framework
Peer review summary for Range-wide Greater Sage-Grouse Hierarchical Monitoring Framework: Implications for Defining Population Boundaries, Trend Estimation, and a Targeted Annual Warning System.
Plants as vectors for environmental prion transmission
Peer Review Summary. Plants as vectors for environmental prion transmission.
Public Access to Results of Federally Funded Research at USGS 01/2016
Public Access to Results of Federally Funded Research at the U.S. Geological Survey:
Scholarly Publications and Data Biannual Implementation Update, January 2016
Release of USGS Scientific Data (pdf)
This training module explains USGS Fundamental Science Practice responsiblities for releasing USGS scientific data.
Required by the Ethics Office from Employee to Prepare an MOU
Information Required by the Ethics Office from Employee to Prepare an MOU
IMPORTANT NOTE: You must have an approved authorization of assignment memorandum signed by the USGS Director before acting in your official capacity as an officer or member of a board of directors (or a similar position) with a professional scientific
RSR_DSR Center Approval Sheet - Dec 2019
The approval sheet that must be signed by the scientist, supervisor, and Center Director (or equivalent) and included with the scientist's RGE or EDGE package. This is a Word version of the document.
RSR_DSR Center Approval Sheet - Jan 2021
The approval sheet that must be signed by the scientist, supervisor, and Center Director (or equivalent) and included with the scientist's RGE or EDGE package. This a fillable, PDF version that allows for electronic signatures. NOTE: signatories should NOT lock the document until the final person signs it.