Hydrology Professional Development Series (PDS) 3 : Manage a Hydrology Program |
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PDS Statement of Responsibility : Manage the WFO hydrology program with integrated resources and tools to provide accurate and timely information for partners and the public.
Executive Producer(s):
Kate Abshire - Water Resources/Analysis, Forecast and Support Office/ NWS.
Description of the Area of Responsibility : In support of hydrologic forecast and warning operations, managing the WFO hydrology program ensures the integrity and relevancy of NWS hydrologic services for partners and users. The Hydrology Program Manager (HPM) provides WFO hydrologic leadership, expertise and outreach for flooding, drought, water supply and other local hydrologic issues. Duties are to build and maintain situational awareness and coordination between RFCs and partner agencies as well as maintain the local data program, conduct field work, and configure software. Responsibilities also include training staff to support delivery of NWS hydrologic information during normal and backup operations in addition to gathering and analyzing post event information to improve services.
List of Professional Competency Units (PCUs): In support of hydrologic forecast and warning operations, managing the hydrology program ensures the integrity and relevancy of NWS hydrologic services for partners and users.
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- Lead and conduct WFO Hydrologic Outreach
- Identify, plan and coordinate changes in the WFO hydrology program
- Maintain WFO hydrology database and software applications
- Conduct field work to support WFO hydrology programs
- Analyze and Verify WFO Hydrologic Events
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PCU 1: Lead and conduct WFO hydrologic outreach
Producers:Nicole Belk (ER/WFO Taunton, MA)
Marty Pope (SR/WFO Jackson, MS)
Brian McInerney (WR/WFO Salt Lake City, UT)
Description of Job Competency to be Achieved :
Provide hydrologic education and outreach, superior customer service, and technical support, for all necessary venues to handle all hydrometeorological activities.
Description of Need :
Recognition that specialized hydrologic expertise is needed in the local WFO area in preparation for water forecast services. WFO Hydrology Program Managers should be capable of providing outreach ranging from technical expertise for high end users, to basic explanations for the general public. They should make themselves known and available to users and partners in order to properly evaluate user needs.
Abilities/Performance Elements:
Ability 1.
Identify locations and opportunities for hydrometeorological forecasting.
(NOTE: Also refer to PDS1:PCU1)
Skill 1.1.
Define common terminology of external partners and users used to discuss floods and dam breaks.
- IC Title: FEMA IS-322: Flood Mitigation Basics for Mitigation staff Present
- Type: Formal Training (in FEMA Independent Study Program)
- URL/location: https://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/courseOverview.aspx?code=is-322
- Description: To train Hazard Mitigation Advisor Specialists to explain both the flood hazard and how to mitigate future damages effectively, to people affected by floods
- Length: 1 hour
Skill 1.2.
Identify event characteristics
- Gaps in local WFO Hydrology Program for high impact hydrologic events
- Dam Break Resources prior to an event
- Ice jam resources prior to an event
- Local agencies to report burn scars
NOTE: Also refer to PDS1, PCU5 Skill 3.1
- IC Title: Dams and Dam Failure - Module 1: Terminology and Open Channel Hydraulics
- Type: Formal Training (in LMS)
- URL/location: https://doc.csod.com
- IC Title: Urban Flooding: It Can Happen in a Flash!
- Type: Formal Training (in LMS)
- URL/location: https://doc.csod.com
- Description: Designed to prepare NWS Employees for creating/maintaining a positive public image for the NWS through the use of effective communications when working with the general public and media.
Skill 1.3.
Engage internal and external partners and users to identify enhanced forecast capabilities prior to hydrologic events.
(NOTE: Also refer to PDS1, PCU 1)
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Ability 2.
Provide water supply and peak snowmelt runoff outlook information.
(NOTE: Also refer to PDS1, PCU 3, Ability 2)
Skill 2.1.
Identify and explain:
- RFC modeling techniques and methodology, and uncertainty
- Input and process for snow models
- NOHRSC modeling techniques and methodology, and uncertainty
NOTE: Also refer to PCU3 Skill 2.3
- IC Title: Snowmelt Processes Present
- Type: Online informational content
- URL/location: http://www.meted.ucar.edu/hydro/basic/Snowmelt/
- Description: Provides an understanding of the contribution of snowmelt in the hydrologic forecasting process.
- Length: 1 hour
- IC Title: Snowpack and Its Assessment Present
- Type: Online informational content
- URL/location: http://www.meted.ucar.edu/afwa/snowpack/
- Description: Explores the science of snowpack and snowpack assessment.
- Length: 2 hours
Skill 2.2.
Interpret and create outlook information regarding snowpack and snowmelt runoff.
- IC Title: Interpreting Water Supply Forecasts Present
- Type: Online informational content
- URL/location: http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/factpub/intrpret.html/
- Description: A water supply forecast is a prediction of streamflow volume that will flow past a point on a stream during a specified season, typically in the spring and summer. These forecasts are given not as a single number, but as a range of numbers to reflect risk and forecast uncertainty. The information provided is intended to help users interpret these forecasts.
- Length: 30 minutes
Additional Reference material: http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/wsf/wsf.html
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Ability 3.
Provide expertise on local drought and low flow.
Skill 3.1.
Recognize the causes of drought, know how to use drought monitoring tools, provide planning guidance and be able to explain to younger audiences.
- IC Title: Understanding Drought Present
- Type: Formal Training (in LMS/COMET)
- URL/location: https://www.meted.ucar.edu/training_module.php?id=514
- Description: Introduction to Drought, measures and scales of drought and how drought is monitored, predicted, impacts of drought, and drought related resources.
- Length: 1 hour
- IC Title: Drought Monitoring Tools
- Type: Online information content
- URL/location: http://drought.unl.edu/droughtmonitoring/Tools.aspx
- Description: Covers the U.S. Drought Monitor, Drought Impact Reporter, VegDRI, Standardized Precipitation Index and the Daily Gridded SPI product.
- Length: 45 minutes
- IC Title: Drought for Kids
- Type: Online information content
- URL/location: http://drought.unl.edu/Education/DroughtforKids.aspx
- Description: Material for school children and covers weather and climate, the water cycle, Causes of Drought and Drought and Floods.
- Length: 45 minutes
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Ability 4.
Collaborate with your External Partners and Customers
See PDS1, PCU 1, Develop and maintain partner, user, and intra-agency awareness and partnerships through collaboration. Additional skills beyond those listed in PDS1 are:
Skill 4.1.
Interact with and advise media and the general public.
- IC Title: Media Training for NWS Employees
- Type: Formal Training (in LMS)
- URL/location: https://doc.csod.com
- Description: Designed to prepare NWS Employees for creating/maintaining a positive public image for the NWS through the use of effective communications when working with the general public and media.
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