Workforce Study Recommendations and Actions

FOCUS ID RECOMMENDATIONS STATUS ACTION 
Career Paths CP-1 Adopt the nomenclature of the 5 career tracks identified COMPLETE  Ongoing use & improve as needed 
CP-2 Develop a web-based Career Path tool  COMPLETE - Launched in Spring 2022 - See tool at: sciencecareers.apps.nasa.gov.   Improve as needed thru B-Line maintnenance contract.
Leadership Development  LD-1 Develop a virtual agency-led enhanced orientation for newly hired scientists COMPLETE - Held pilot Early Career workshop in May 2022 - See web page at: science.nasa.gov/about-us/early-career-workshop. Framework provided to SMD for future consideration Recommend going forward with one workshop (SCOPE) and offering 2X/ year
LD-2 Develop a virtual series of “Career Opportunities” workshops for mid-careerists  COMPLETE - Held pilot SCOPE (Science Career Opportunity Planning and Exploration) Workshop on Feb 28 - Mar 2, 2023.  Framework provided to SMD for future consideration. Recommend going forward with one workshop (SCOPE) and offering 2X/ year
LD-3 Develop a rotational program for scientists ONGOING - Pilot program launched in Septemeber 2022. Lessons learned to be collected after initial pilot.  See web page at: science.nasa.gov/about-us/rotational-program Likely not a viable option for cross-organization, but encourage locally 
LD-4 Establish entry-level, part-time supervisory roles that are time-limited COMPLETE - Best practices compiled for organizations to utilize.  https://science.nasa.gov/about-us/best-practices-for-establishing-part-time-supervisory-opportunities No further action
LD-5 Partner with OCHCO to review the science development needs and work towards a comprehensive strategy for leadership development for the science community ONGOING - The implementation team identified barriers and gaps for leadership development for scientists and offered strategies to mitigate them. They recommended 10 development themes important for science leaders.  Based on their work, the team developed and proposed a structured leadership development program for NASA scientists, which is currently under review.   1) Move forward to develop pilot offering of NASA LEADS program. 2) Broadly share 10 leaership development themes and supporting activities, to include Career Path Tool & SMD workforce webpage. 
LD-6 Use the Agency’s Science Council to share workforce and leadership best practices COMPLETE - Expanded NASA Science Council to include both lab partners (JPL and APL); Established a liaison to the Council for sharing workforce best practices. Ongoing. Thomas to bring workforce initiatives to Science Council when appropriate 
Project Scientist PS-1 Codify roles/responsibilities/authorities/accountability (RRAA) of Project Scientists (PS)  ONGOING - A cross-agency team has defined the roles and responsibilities for Project Scientists for Strategic missions.   Team is still determining the best place to codify the R&R's.
PS-2 Wherever possible, ensure a Deputy Project Scientist (DPS) is funded for missions COMPLETE  This is being done when practical 
PS-3 Develop a Project Scientist training course ONGOING - The team has researched existing training programs and identified gaps in development for Project Scientists.   Linked to LD-5. NASA LEADS will likely address the leadership development needs. Additional techical coursework is still needed.