Department
of the Interior
Departmental
Manual
Effective Date: 1/2/08
Series: Organization
Part 120: U.S.
Geological Survey
Chapter 7: Office
of the Associate Director for Geology
Originating Office: U.
S. Geological Survey
120 DM 7
7.1 General Functions. The Office of the Associate Director for Geology conducts research, monitoring, and assessments that address the Nation’s geologic hazards, natural resources, geologic framework, geologic aspects of climate change, and geologic concerns over the quality of life and the environment. Data are gathered on these activities and disseminated in the form of maps and reports containing analyses and interpretations of energy and mineral resources, geologic structures, natural hazards, and the dynamic processes of the Earth. The data are used by managers, planners, and the general public to understand, respond to, and plan for changes in the environment. Examples of these functions include: real-time earthquake and volcano monitoring; assessing erosion, wetland loss, and environmental changes to the Nation’s coasts and bays; analyzing the geologic setting and genesis of minerals; and conducting research on the fundamental processes that lead to the accumulation of energy resources and the environmental and human health impacts of energy usage.
7.2 The Associate Director for Geology exercises the authority delegated by the Director to manage and direct the development and delivery of objective, relevant, and reliable Earth science information on geologic hazards, energy and mineral resources, geologic framework, and coastal and marine processes. The Associate Director for Geology is also responsible for the International Program activities of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
A. The International Program (IP) Unit is managed by the Associate Director for Geology on behalf of the Director for all disciplines. IP coordinates USGS international activities across all disciplines and in all regions of the globe. IP is the Bureau’s primary liaison with the State Department, the U.S. Agency for International Development, international organizations, and other Federal agencies working in the international arena. IP also manages the international agreements and travel approval process for over 1,000 USGS international travelers each year, including passports, visas, DOI approvals, and country clearance cables.
B. The Chief Scientist for Geology directs and coordinates the development and budgeting of Geology’s scientific programs and provides bureau leadership in the development of discipline focused and multi-disciplinary national program strategic and five-year plans and initiatives. The Chief Scientist is responsible for the planning and coordination of the Geology Discipline’s resource management activities and for the business management operations of the Discipline. Within the office of the Chief Scientist for Geology Program Coordinators lead program offices and develop strategic and five-year program plans and annual program operational plans; coordinate programmatic activities within and outside of the Bureau to ensure broad participation in interdisciplinary studies; and conduct program reviews and recommend program funding at the project levels. Program Coordinators address the broad science issues of geologic hazards, natural resources, geologic framework, and climate change through the program activities of the Mineral Resources, National Cooperative Geologic Mapping, Energy Resources, Coastal and Marine Geology, Earth Surface Dynamics, Earthquake Hazards, Volcano Hazards, Landslide Hazards, Global Seismic Network, Geomagnetism, and Priority Ecosystems.