Systems By Larry C. Harms distributing geographic information systems Personnel Administrative data. An inexpensive reader similar to the audio compact disc players used in music systems is connected to a personal computer and used to access a disc containing up to 540 megabytes of data. Readers were distributed to a number of offices in the Geological Survey, along with a prototype disc containing files of earth-science data. The second prototype system used a different technology. A Write Once Read Many optical disc system can record data as well as read it. The prototype study examined the efficiency and economics of using optical storage devices for archiving data. The optical storage unit was connected to the Division minicomputer in Denver, Colo. Seismic data stored on magnetic tapes were written into the Write Once Read Many system to ensure more accurate data for greater periods of time and faster retrieval of data kept in a smaller storage area. The Division began several prototype bureauwide personnel administrative systems in fiscal year 1986. The Automated SF52 system, the Vacancy Announcement system, and the Paypers Query system were all developed on the Amdahl computer system by using the Model 204 Data Base allow Geological Survey Divisions and Management system. The SF-52 system will personnel offices to electronically create, approve, and route personnel actions nationwide. The Vacancy Announcement system will enable the Survey to electronically create and mail vacancy announcements nationwide. The Paypers Query system will formation for the entire bureau. The success provide a central source of personnel inof these activities will facilitate the automation of other personnel activities such as position descriptions. ADMINISTRATION bureau, academic, and community support and interest. During the program's first three months, program coordinators and a bureauwide network of key individuals enlisted about 55 volunteers, who provided services in library research, hydrologic and geologic field assistance, laboratory work, computer assistance, procurement assistance, and administrative clerical support. Additionally, over 300 citizens, concentrated in the San Francisco area of California, volunteered to collect rainfall data for landslide hazard studies. The Geological Survey expects increased participation. during fiscal year 1987 and development of a quality corps of volunteers, who will make significant contributions to our mission. Streamlined Personnel As part of a continuing effort to improve administrative practices, the Geological Survey reviewed its personnel processing system and identified actions that could streamline those processes and save manpower and dollars. Efforts are now underway to increase automation, eliminate duplication, increase delegations of authority to managers, and increase standardization in personnel documentation. In support of the President's Management Improvement Program and the Department of the Interior's Reform 88 management initiatives, action has been taken to automate Personnel Action Requests and vacancy announcements in fiscal year 1986. The automated Personnel Action Request system will be a prototype for application throughout the Department of the Interior. Efforts are also in progress to increase the use of standardized position descriptions, performance standards, and job selection factors and to identify and eliminate duplication of personnel recordkeeping and systems through expanded direct access to the integrated payroll-personnel system. Landsat Data Acquisitions The Geological Survey entered into a contractual agreement with the Earth Observation Satellite Company (EOSAT) to purchase Landsat satellite data for the Geological Survey and other interested Federal agencies through 1994. Previously, the Geological Survey and other Federal agencies acquired data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. In 1984, Congress passed Public Law 98-365, which resulted in the Department of Commerce's awarding EOSAT exclusive marketing rights for the data as part of the contract transferring the Landsat satellite system to the private sector. Federal agency data acquisition costs under the agreement are expected to be approximately $5 million per year. Consolidation of Operations at the Denver Federal Center Plans have been completed to bring two of the Geological Survey's public service organizations-the Geologic Division's Core Library and the National Mapping Division's consolidated Map Distribution Centerinto the Denver Federal Center. This action not only reduces costs but also is consistent with Government initiatives to move more Federal agency operations into Governmentowned space. The Core Library, which contains about 4,900 cores from holes drilled by Federal and State agencies and private companies, has been occupying leased space and has had little room for expansion. Not only will relocation to the Denver Federal Center make the Core Library more accessible to the public and to Geological Survey scientists, but it will also increase the Survey's ability to accept rock collections from other organizations and ensure that they are properly maintained. The consolidation of the Map Distribution Center at the Denver Federal Center allowed the release of expensive leased space in northern Virginia. The newly consolidated center will be the public's source of Geological Survey maps and publications. |