How to Run a Field Station

 NOTE: we are working on a new version of this document!  Your contributions are welcome. If you have ideas for new sections, or have example documents, please contact any OBFS Board Member.

A guide to operational policies and procedures for field stations and marine laboratories (FSMLs), funded by the National Science Foundation.

The purpose of the guide is to provide some information about standard operating procedures at FSMLs across the country. At least 40 FSML directors were involved in the initial elaboration of coverage for the operations manual.

The final product is a web-based document available online as PDFs that cover Planning, Administration, Programs, Facilities and Finances. Examples are provided for each section as part of the initial narrative.

Further specific examples are solicited from individual FSMLs.

• Introduction, Dedication, & How To Use This Manual
• Section I: Planning
• Section I Tables, Figures, Links
  • Table I-A.4.b Personnel Costs Over Time
  • Figure 1-A.4.d Effort/Return Matrix
  • Table I-B.1.a Facility Development Process
  • Table I-B.1.b Tasks and Personnel for Facility Development
  • Table I-B.6 Fundraising Plan
    
• Section II: Administration
• Table II-B Reasonable objectives over time
• Figure II-E Basic Organizational Chart
  
• Section III: Programs
• Section IV: Facilities
• Figure IV-A Conceptual Facilities Stewardship Model
• Table IV-B Facility Suggestions
  
• Section V: Finances
  • Section V-A: Cost Centers
  • Section V-B: Chart of Accounts
  • Section V-C: Budgets
  • Section V-D: Grants & Contracts
  • Section V-E: Cost Recovery Policies
  • Section V-F: Software Tools
  • Section V-G: Financial Reports
  • Section V-H: Financial Policies
  • Section V-I: External Audits
  • Section V-J: Endowments
  • Section V-K: Funding Sources
  • Section V-Tables & Figures
  • Table V-G.1: Income Expense Sheet
    
  • Table V-G.2: Balance Sheet
  • Table V-H.3: Signature Authorization Matrix
  • Figure V-H.5: Purchase Requisition
  • Figure V-H: Financial Operations
  • Figure V-H.7: Timesheet
  • Figure V-J.1: Investment Policy
  • Table V-K.1: List of Funding Sources
    
• Bibliography
• Organizations
• Appendix A. LTER Data policy 2001
• Appendix B. Research Use Application form
  
• Appendix C. Class Use Application Form
  

Sample Documents:

• Animal Care Policy, 2003

• Emergency Response Plan, 2004
• Emergency Response Plan Example 2
• Crane Safety Plan
• ML Disaster Plan
  

• Management Master Plan, 1995

• Toolik Visitor Manual 2005
  
• SWRS Housing Regulations 2001
• UOBS Policy Manual
• NRS Class Use Application
• NRS Research Use Application
  
• Lakeside Handbook
• KNRS Policy Statement 2001
  

• Hastings Liability Waiver 2002
• NRS Waiver

• Hyuck Mision and Vision 2005