Forest Service Research Advisory Committee

The Forest Service Research Advisory Committee was created to assist and advise the Deputy Chief for Research & Development and the Deputy Chief for Operations on issues that affect Forest Service research scientists. The charter for the Committee was signed 9 October, 1997. The main ongoing responsibility of the Committee is to provide assistance on the use and modification of the Research Grade Evaluation Guide.

The Committee is comprised of a representative (scientist) from each research station and the Forest Products Laboratory, a representative from National Federation Federal Employees (NFFE) and three station personnel specialists (with representation rotating among the stations). Members serve 3-year terms, with approximately one third of the members being replaced annually. The NFFE representative is appointed by the NFFE-FS Council Vice President for Research. Ex officio members are: Assistant Director of Human Resources management, WO Research Staff Assistant, and Staff Director for Science Policy, Planning,  Inventory and Information. The Committee meets yearly at a minimum. Recently, the Committee has met quarterly. Minutes of the meeting are distributed widely.

For more information about the FS Research Advisory Committee, choose the following link:

Charter (.pdf file)
Committee Members
Issues
Minutes

For more information about the FS Research Panels, choose the following links:

Status of National Panels

Code of Scientific Ethics (.pdf)
FS Guide to Preparing Position Descriptions
Draft OPM Research Grade Evaluation Guide
ARS Project Leader Handbook