Emeritus Program Information

USGS Emeritus Categories

There are two emeritus categories at the USGS.

Active Emeritus

Includes those in both scientific and non-scientific series. Volunteers at least 100 hours a year at a USGS facility or from an off-site location on a regular basis. Must have an up-to-date online OF301a volunteer form (see How To Become a USGS Emeritus) with a defined workplan that includes activities and/or products. Keeps track of volunteer hours and adds them to their online OF301a form on an annual basis or when requested. Provides sufficient contributions/accomplishments to the USGS to satisfy the needs of his/her supervisor. Annual renewal is dependent upon mutual agreement between the Scientist Emeritus and his/her Supervisor, Center Director, Branch Chief, etc. May be provided a USGS PIV card, a USGS email address, and access to a USGS computer (depending on available resources), and the USGS Library system. At the discretion of the supervisor and the Center and depending on availability, may have office space, project funds, and use of laboratory space and equipment.

Honorary Emeritus

Includes those in both scientific and non-scientific series. Volunteers less than 100 hours a year and/or is less involved in USGS science activities. Has access to resources at the discretion of the Supervisor/Center Director.  This may or may not include office space, a USGS PIV card, and being in Active Directory. Must have an online OF301a volunteer form (see How To Become a USGS Emeritus) with a general workplan description of activities and products. Annual renewal is dependent upon mutual agreement between the Honorary Emeritus and his/her Supervisor, Center Director, Branch Chief, etc.

Participation in the USGS Emeritus Program

Administration

The USGS Emeritus Program is administered at the Science Center, Branch, etc. Retiring or retired USGS employees who have contributed to the goals of the USGS during a productive career and are interested in becoming Emeriti should discuss their plans with their immediate supervisor and Science Center Director, Branch Chief, etc.  For those employees from other Federal agencies, who are interested in becoming Active Emeriti at the USGS, they also need to contact a supervisor within the USGS to discuss efforts that will benefit both the USGS and the employee. Only when there is agreement between the potential Emeritus and a USGS Supervisor, Science Center Director, Branch Chief, etc. on what activities the Emeritus will pursue that benefit the USGS, as well as sufficient resources, can the process begin to become a USGS Emeritus.

Instructions

Step-by-step instructions for becoming a USGS Emeritus are given in How To Become a USGS Emeritus.

Requirements

• All USGS Emeriti must have a current online OF301a Volunteer Services Agreement form in place in accordance with the procedures and standards described in the USGS Volunteer for Science Handbook. Refer to How To Become a USGS Emeritus for detailed information on how to fill out the OF301a form.
• As a condition of appointment and continuation in the Emeritus Program, participants must abide by the USGS Ethics Rules in Chapter 3, Ethics, in the Volunteer for Science Handbook. Additional information can be found in Ethics Rules for USGS Emeriti. The Ethics Office may be contacted at ethicsofficeusgs@sol.doi.gov.
• Work plans should be reviewed and agreed upon by the Emeritus and their Supervisor each year, and the Emeritus’ online and paper OF301a volunteer form should be updated as needed to reflect any changes.

Each USGS Emeritus should have only one online OF301a volunteer form. Any changes in science center, supervisor, address, etc. also can be made on the original OF301a form.

Funding

The USGS can provide Active Emeriti, depending on availability, with office space and a computer. Emeritus funding may come from different sources depending upon the work being completed by the Emeritus. Emeriti may receive support from their Science Center or ongoing projects or, if Emeritus activities are outside the Center/project level, from Regions or Programs. It is possible that an Emeritus may receive funding from several sources. Funding and other resource needs should be evaluated on a yearly basis by the supervisor in coordination with the Center Director.

USGS Emeriti are encouraged to talk to Project Chiefs, Science Center Directors, Branch Chiefs, and Program Coordinators for funding needs associated with their work. 

USGS Emeritus Profile Pages

A USGS profile page is an excellent way to share information about your USGS career as an employee and as an Emeritus. In addition, information provided in the “Expertise” section can be found through use of the USGS “Search” box. This can be useful to management when in need of someone with a specific expertise to assist in USGS efforts. More information about how to modify information in your profile page can be found on How To Become a USGS Emeritus.