Marine Professional Development Series (PDS)

Executive Producer - John Kuhn (AFSO / Marine, Tropical, and Tsunami Services Branch)

PDS Statement of Responsibility: The Marine PDS provides a framework of required and recommended training which will allow NWS marine forecasters to fulfill the most important mission of the NWS; helping to save lives and property and providing decision support services for the economic well being of the Nation.

PDS Overview: Upon completing the NWS Marine Professional Development Series (PDS), NWS forecasters will have a baseline standard of knowledge, skills, abilities, and proficiencies. In conjunction with local office requirements, the PDS will allow a marine forecaster to work an operational shift; issuing marine forecasts and warnings and providing valuable decision support services. Four Professional Competency Units (PCU) and Instructional Components (IC) within each PCU are contained in the PDS; satisfying the needs and requirements of the NWS Marine Training Program. The Marine PDS webpage will be routinely monitored and updated as new training needs are identified and new training is developed.

See below for links to each of the four PCUs. Specific instructional components, with associated abilities and job skills, are available from these PCU pages.

PCU 1 : Develop and Maintain User Awareness and Partnership

PCU 2 : Forecasting in the Marine Environment

PCU 3 : Enhancing Marine Weather Impact Event Operations and Emergency Response Functions

PCU 4 : Interpret Marine Data, and Provide Marine Products and Services