Department of the Interior
Departmental Manual
Effective Date: 1/2/08
Series: Organization
Part 120: U.S. Geological Survey
Chapter 6: Office of the Associate Director for Biology
Originating Office: U.S. Geological Survey
120
DM 6
6.1 General Functions. The Office of the Associate Director for Biology provides reliable, impartial scientific information to land managers, particularly in the Department of the Interior and assists in the application of information to manage biological resources and enhance our quality of life. The primary means of gathering this information is through the use of scientific methods applied to monitoring resources and conducting experiments.
6.2 The Associate Director for Biology exercises the authority delegated by the Director to develop scientific understanding and technologies needed to support sound management and conservation of the Nation’s biological resources. The Associate Director for Biology provides bureauwide guidance and oversight on the discipline focused and multidisciplinary biological resources programs of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), and has responsibility for development and oversight of national programs. The Associate Director for Biology is assisted in the development and implementation of the national biology science program by the following senior management team:
A. The Chief Scientist for Biology is responsible for biologic science program planning, budget development, policy, and program evaluation. The Chief Scientist for Biology is the principal advisor to the Associate Director for Biology concerning scientific activities and monitoring and the execution of the USGS Strategic Plan’s activities that are carried out through the regional science centers and through national programs at the headquarters office. A series of national program reviews and analysis of current scientific projects assures that science is relevant to the national objectives, meets the priorities of land managers, and is coordinated with the other science and natural resource agencies.
B. The
Associate Chief Biologist for
Information serves as the senior information and technology advisor
to the Associate Director for Biology and heads the Biological Informatics
Office. The Associate Chief Biologist for
Information is responsible for developing, managing, and implementing policies,
standards, goals, objectives, and procedures for biological data, information,
and technology management and transfer activities. The Associate Chief Biologist for Information
is also responsible for biological informatics within USGS, managing the
activities of the Center for Biological Informatics, implementing the National
Biological Information Infrastructure, and for representing the
C. The Chief, Cooperative Research Units (CRUs) serves as the national program chief for work conducted by the CRUs across the United States. Each CRU represents a partnership among the USGS, a host university, and State fish and wildlife agencies working to address national, regional, and local biological research needs, to fill gaps in fish and wildlife management information, and to ensure availability of trained fish and wildlife biologists. CRUs also provide technical assistance and training to Federal and State personnel and other resource managers.