How to Become a USGS Emeritus

How to Become a USGS Emeritus Volunteer: A Simplified Guide

The USGS Emeritus Program is guided under the Departmental Manual Chapter 6 Volunteer Policy (301 DM 6) and the USGS Volunteer for Science Handbook issued by the Office of Human Capital.  It is the policy of DOI to encourage, use, and recognize volunteers, where appropriate, within the terms of applicable legal authorities and to maximize extent commensurate with program needs, to enhance the ability of its bureaus and offices to carry out mission-related activities. Volunteers must meet mandatory training requirements in areas such as IT security, safety, ethics, and anti-harassment.   

How to become a USGS Emeritus Volunteer:

1. Discuss Your Interest Early: Talk to your immediate supervisor before your retirement about your desire to become a USGS Emeritus. You will work with the potential emeritus supervisor and Science Center Director to obtain approval and create a workplan for the emeritus activities.
2. Obtain Approval: Ensure that you have clear approval from your supervisor and the appropriate director (Center or Office Director). Discuss any logistical needs, such as a computer, office space, email access, and funding needs for projects.
3. Choose Your Emeritus Type:
   • Active Emeritus: For those volunteering 100+ hours per year, allowing access to resources like a computer, email and potentially office space.
   • Honorary Scientist Emeritus: For those volunteering less than 100 hours per year, with fewer responsibilities.
4. Preserve Emails and Files: You should save only the emails they need by moving them into an “Emeritus” folder and exporting them to PDF or PST, since full mailbox downloads are prohibited. You must also move any needed OneDrive files into a shared location before retirement, after which your supervisor becomes the data owner and can re‑share the materials once the Emeritus account is created.
5. Complete the Volunteer Emeritus, and Security Forms: Work with administrative staff at your center to complete the necessary volunteer agreements. (Information about these steps is located on the USGS intranet).
6. Receive New ID Card: Await instructions for picking up and activating your new identification card.
7. Final Steps: IT support can assist with updating your computer access with the new ID card.  Follow their instructions for accessing your account; typically this must be done in-person at a USGS facility.
8. Update Your Profile: Work with your science center to create or update your USGS staff profile page to reflect your Emeritus status.

Additional Information:

USGS Emeritus Program

USGS Volunteer for Science Handbook

USGS Volunteer for Science Program Q&As