Jim Ware, Soil Survey Division
Definition – Soil Survey Schedule
THE NASIS SOIL SURVEY SCHEDULE IS A PROGRAM MANAGEMENT TOOL FOR PLANNING, MANAGING, AND TRACKING STATUS, MILESTONE EVENTS, AND PROGRESS OF THE NATIONAL COOPERATIVE SOIL SURVEY (NCSS)
USES:
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Report Progress of NCSS
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Track Milestone Events
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Assess Workloads
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Plan and Manage Business Area Operations
WHERE IS IT?
IN NASIS
Access Through NASIS Interface
NASIS Permissions
Full Edit and Report Capabilities
Access through Web (limited)
Login and Password from Soils Hotline
Programmed Reports
Limited Data Management – Selected Legends/Data Elements
Business Areas: NHQ, DU, NCGC
WHAT WE DO
AS SOIL SCIENTISTS IN NRCS AND THE NCSS WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR 2 BASIC FUNCTIONS:
1. PRODUCTION SURVEY ACTIVITIES
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INVENTORY SOIL RESOURCES
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PRODUCE DATA & INFORMATION
2. TECHNICAL SOIL SERVICES
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PROVIDE SOIL EXPERTISE TO USERS
WITHIN THIS CONTEXT, THE SOIL SURVEY SCHEDLE IS DESIGNED PRIMARILY TO TRACK PROCESSES & PROGRESS FOR PRODUCTION SURVEY ACTIVITIES.
“BLUEPRINT”
THE SOIL SURVEY SCHEDULE CAN BE CONSIDERED A “BLUEPRINT” OF OUR SOIL BUSINESS MODEL FOR TRACKING PROCESSES AND PROGRESS TOWARD COMPLETION OF A FINAL PRODUCT(S) FOR SOIL SURVEY AREAS. SCHEDULE CONTAINS LEGENDS FOR ALL SOIL SURVEY AREAS OF THE NATION. LEGENDS ARE MADE UP OF DATA ELEMENTS WHICH IDENTIFY MAJOR PROCESSES INVOLVED IN THE INVENTORY AND PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT.
THE SOIL SURVEY AREA
TECHNICAL Aspect: “DOING SOIL BUSINESS”
MLRA Soil Survey Area. A geographic (spatial) area defined within context of AH 296. Basis for conceptual and technical soil business, i.e., legend development, classification, correlation, etc. and quality assurance functions.
ADMINISTRATIVE Aspect: “DELIVERING SOIL PRODUCTS”.
(Non-MLRA) Soil Survey Area. Geographic (spatial) area that has a size and shape defined for efficient field operations and timely release of a final product.
Initial Survey - staff/complete field work in 3-5 years
Update Survey - staff/complete field work in 2-4 years
Maintenance operations – staff/complete field work in < 2 years
WHAT IS PROGRESS?
Progress includes Inventory of the Nation’s soil resources, development of related databases, and production of related products and interpretative materials.
WHEN REPORTED?
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Mapping – Quarterly, minimum
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“Other” – Monthly, minimum
PROGRESS: NCSS PRODUCTION SURVEY ACTIVITIES
PROGRESS: TECH SERVICES & CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE
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PERFORMANCE & RESULTS MEASUREMENT SYSTEM (PRMS)
WHO REPORTS PROGRESS?
PARADIGM SHIFT: State Office Responsible Soil Business Area
SOIL BUSINESS AREA RESPONSIBLE FOR INITIATING AND/OR COMPLETING A BUSINESS PROCESS IS RESPONSIBLE FOR REPORTING PROGRESS AND/OR POPULATING DATA ELEMENTS IN SCHEDULE.
“DO THE DEED --- DO THE DATA”
WHAT ARE THE SOIL BUSINESS AREAS?
(GM 430, Part 402, Subpart B): Responsibilities and Organization
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National Office
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MLRA Offices
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State Offices
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Project Soil Survey Offices
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Area and Field Offices
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National Soil Survey Center
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National Cartographic and Geospatial Center
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Digitizing Units
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Digital Map Finishing Centers
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National Production Services Staff
DATA STEWARDS – Populate Data Elements/ASSURE DATA QUALITY for Business Area
HELP
Two new Exhibits in NSSH Part 608 provide guidance for the administration and maintenance of Schedule – based on the new paradigm of “do the deed – do the data”.
NSSH EXHIBIT 608-8 Soil Survey Schedule Guidelines
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Detail Administration &Maintenance Guidance for Program Managers and Data Stewards
NSSH EXHIBIT 608-9 Soil Survey Schedule Business Area Responsibilities
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Snapshot – “Who’s Responsible for What Data Element”
These two Exhibits are companion documents and follow the following outline based on
Major Soil Survey Program Business Areas:
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Legend Administration & Acreage Maintenance
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Mapping Goals & Progress
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Imagery, Ortho & Map Compilation
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Initial & Update Survey Operations
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National Digitizing Initiative
SOIL SURVEY STATUS
SOIL SURVEY AREA STATUS IDENTIFIES THE OPERATIONAL ACTIVITY OF SOIL SURVEY AREAS AND CURRENCY OF PUBLISHED SOIL INFORMATION.
ONE NAME CHANGE AND TWO ADDITIONS ARE PROPOSED. PROPOSED STATUS CODES ARE:
NON-PROJECT
INITIAL (Replaces Project)
PUBLISHED
OUT-OF-DATE
UPDATE
MAINTENANCE NEEDED (Proposed)
MAINTENANCE (Proposed)
It’s All About Recruitment…Getting Who You Need, When You Need Them
Jason Parman, Office of Personnel Management, Kansas City, MO
What is Recruiting?
COMMUNICATION
With Candidates; With Colleagues; With Communities; With Schools; With Private Sector; With OPM; With Everyone…
Why Recruit?
For Your Office…
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Single most effective way to ensure you get the “best fit” for your position
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Maximizes the potential for quick fills, even when you are in a period of non-hiring
For Your Agency…
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Strengthens your nationwide “pipeline” of candidates
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Improves your visibility and competitiveness with private-sector companies
For Your “Uncle”…
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Improves the Federal government’s corporate image
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Helps us all compete for talent
How Do You Do It?
Informal Methods
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Professional Meetings; Community, Social, Religious Organizations; Inbound Calls; Relationships
Formal Methods
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Advertising; Print Media; Internet; “PR Advertising”;
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Face to Face; Job Fairs; On-Campus Trips; Speaking Appearances; Conferences
What Will We Do To Help?
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Internet Publicity
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“What’s Hot” on USAJOBS during periods of growth in a state/region
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Constant presence on NRCS, USDA websites as well as USAJOBS, FedWorld, America’s Job Bank
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Recruiters’ Helpers
OPM’s standard “recruiter’s toolkit”
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Summary of benefits
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Family-Friendly programs
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Recruiting, retention bonus information
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Other government-wide information
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Inventory-specific FAQ’s
“Recruiter’s Referral” forms
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Let’s us know you’re interested
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Includes expected time to hire
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Helps applicant get on inventory more quickly
What Can We Do?
Nationwide
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Corporate Image Development
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Recruitment Material Development
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Alignment of Materials to Agency Mission and Corporate Image
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Recruitment/Recruiter Program Management
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ROI Calculations, Cost Management
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Recruiter Training Seminars/Orientations
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Structured Interview Seminars
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Complete Program Management
State/Region
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Relationship Building with Colleges
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Pipeline Maintenance with Local Sources
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Scheduling of Speaking Appearances
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Statewide/Regional Modules during Meetings
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On-Site Recruiting
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On-Site Examining
What Recruiting Isn’t…
It isn’t examining
Can’t solve a recruiting problem with an examining solution
Examining ensures that once they’re in the door, you can hire them
Recruiting gets them in the door
What We’re Doing For You
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Inventory Improvements
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Transition to USA Staffing
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Technology Upgrades
“Low Impact” Changes
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Inventory Name Change
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Additional Methods of Response Input
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Additional Methods of Application Input
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Additional Methods of Product Delivery
“High Impact” Changes
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Removal of Rangeland Management Specialist
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Dual Certification
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Reduction of Geographic Locations
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Occupational Questionnaire Simplified
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Application Instructions Clarified
Possible Changes
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Assessment Tool
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Modify current 3 level system to include experience
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Integrate general competencies (soft skills) into assessment tool
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Remove 3 level system to eliminate “topping out” at each level based solely on education
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Additional Occupational Specialties
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Tailors candidate lists to different specialties; e.g. field mapping soil scientist
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Can be integrated for common specialties nationwide
When Will This Happen?
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New announcement can open as early as April 15, 2001
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Depends greatly on agency feedback
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Draft materials, options coming on e-mail to all interested parties next week or two
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Will be seamless to agency
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Recruiting materials can be integrated with examining program
Questions
jcparman@opm.gov
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