Future of Training and SOO Program

LeRoy SpaydChief, Science and Training Core

COMAP ClassBoulder, CO

August 13, 1999

Agenda

NSTEP FY00 Implementation Plan Training Program Reorganization Future of SOO/SAC Proficiency Standards

NWS Training Expenses

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

20

86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99

$M: T & PD

1-7-99

050000

100000150000

200000250000

300000350000

400000

88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99

Fiscal Year

Classes

On-Site

Total

NWS Total Training HoursH

ours

of T

rain

ing

1-6-99

Highlights of FY 2000 Implementation Plan for Training and Science Support (IP00)

IP00 Process:

Training requirements determined by a Field Requirements Group (FRG) made up of regional & NCEP reps

In preparation for NWSH reorg - all training needs funded by one training budget - Meteorology - Hydrology - Engineering, Electronics, Facilities - Administrative

Many conference calls were held to reach agreement on training priorities

In the end - the budget was balanced - with all sides compromising to meet budget targets

IP00 Process (con’t)

Several PDS meetings held during FY 1999 in high priority training areas

- AWIPS - Engineering Electronics, Facilities - Hydrology - NWP - QPF - Integrated Sensor

Executive Producers presented proposals to FRG for highest priority PCUs which were identified in these PDS areas.

Those recommended items which could not be accommodated by the budget were placed on an “unfunded requirements” list.

Summary of FRG-Funded Training for FY 2000

SOO/DOH/WCM Support Funds approved - but reduced to $2K per office.

Regional Collaborative Funds approved - but reduced 30% from 1999 levels.

Funds still available for PDW/SAC maintenance.

Highest priority AWIPS PCUs to be addressed by three new NWSTC courses: “AWIPS System Manager”, “AWIPS Applications’ and “WFO/RFC systems Admin.”

- Field Teams to assist NWSTC with development to meet goal of implementation of new courses in second half of FY 2000.

Summary of FRG-Funded Training for FY 2000 (con’t)

NWS post-docs will work with COMET to produce NWP training on WWW.

- Training on basic numerical model concepts. - Enhancements to operational NWP models and impact on model performance. - Assessing model initialization; effectively using NWP in the forecast process.

Two NWP Symposia also offered for remaining SOOs

Two types of OTB Warning Decision Making Workshops planned:

- Three AWIPS-based, advanced workshops for SOOs - Three workshops for those students who have just completed the new AWIPS-based DLOC

Summary of FRG-Funded Training for FY 2000 (con’t)

Funds allocated for Integrated Sensor Training to produce new remote training on high priority topics. Examples:

- AWIPS Multi-Source Data Displays - Using AWIPS in the Forecast Process - Model Data Assessment (dovetails with NWP training priorities)

Funds allocated for development of training for highest priority QPF PCU: “Evaluate NWP and Value-added Guidance for Precipitation Forecasting”

Associated Training:

- Offer two in-residence QPF Symposia at COMET. - Create web-based material for the broader forecast community based on these Symposia.

Summary of FRG-Funded Training for FY 2000 (con’t)

Funding for Hydrology Includes:

Develop new WWW modules on top-priority hydrology PCUs

Hydrology workshops at RFCs

Complete WHFS courses at NWSTC

Develop “Managing Hydrology Program” Course for offering in FY2001 at NWSTC

Hydrology Correspondence Courses

DOH Workshop

Summary of FRG-Funded Training for FY 2000 (con’t)

Funds approved for “Local IT Systems Training” (applied Regionally)

- Intro to UNIX, C++ - PC, server systems, GIS/ArcView - Internet/Web-based training - Telephone, cc:mail systems - Cisco router/WAN training - Office Administration training

Summary of FRG-Funded Training for FY 2000 (con’t)

Funds approved for “Facilities Training” (applied Regionally)

- Off-Road Vehicle Safety (snow cat, snowmobile, ATV) operator/survival training for remote 88D sites - Generators, UPS, HVAC, building, electrical - Environmental Compliance - Admin/Mgmnt/Supervisory/Executive/Budget training

Full suite of NWSTC EED classes for legacy systems

Training Program Reorganization

Currently:

NWSTC reports to DAA

OSF/OTB reports to OSO

COMET reports through OM directly to AA

Future: There will be a single “Belly Button” for training!

Training Program Reorganization

Creation of Training Division within Office of Services

NWSTC and COMET report

OTB renamed Warning Decision Support Training

Future of NWS Training Program (con’t)

Regionally-coordinated FY 01 initiatives (in priority order):

1) Procure new Training and Visualization Workstations to replace obsolete PDWs and SACs

2) Operational AWIPS archive to accomplish DRT

3) Enhanced Aviation Operations Training

Future of NWS Training Program (con’t)

4) Restore COMET Outreach funding to 1996 levels

5) Establish enhanced teletraining infrastructure to include enhanced remote sensing data looping

(possibly including video)

6) Complete NWS Team Training

Training and Visualization Workstation

FY01 Initiative + 3-year replacement cycle + 120 WFOs, 21 CWSUs, 6 NCEP Centers, 6

RHDQs + Replaces Science Applications Computer and

Professional Development Workstation + Assumes $10K each + $500K/Year

Training and Visualization Workstation

SAC original justification + Provides local computing resource for SOOs +Trains staff on how to use gridded data sets

(Follow-on to PC-GRIDS) + Provides platform for staff to learn UNIX + Facilitates university/researcher collaboration + Pre - AWIPS familiarization

Training and Visualization Workstation

Tool for SOO and staff for: + Training

– Playback of case studies– Teletraining– CD modules

+ Visualization– New mesoscale model display techniques– New software evaluation– New visualization software– Applied collaborative research projects

Teletraining (Con’t)

FY 2001 Initiative + Dependent on increasing in comms bandwidth + CFO leading a Communications Team + 100K in FY 01 to do risk reduction + 500K in FY 02 to procure hardware at each

TC, RHDQS, WFO, RFC, CWSU (Audio/Video equipment, electronic conferencing

processors, Software)

Training and Visualization Workstation

Likely will be a high end PC - LINUX workstation

+ Most have large storage capacity - 20GB+ + Most have external tape drives + May require Dual processors + Must have large monitor + Must have Internet access + Must have access to AWIPS database

Training and Visualization Workstation

Tool which is NOT configuration controlled + Allows freedom to experiment + Allows evaluation of research techniques + Stimulates continuous learning paradigm + Allows study of forecast “busts” through case

studies + Facilitates rapid transfer of knowledge into

operations

Baseline Proficiency Standards (BPS)

Definition: Required employee skills and abilities to ensure a consistent level of operational products and data to achieve NWS performance goals

BPS Link to Training

BPS link to Training Professional Competency Units (PCUs) OM has overall lead for BPS program NWSTC has technical lead for updating BPSs, evaluation criteria

and associated training NWSTC will develop (NWSED) WWW page for BPS to

hyperlink BPSs with PCUs and evaluation criteria

BPS Characteristics

Need to form team of HQ reps and Deputy RDs to finalize Task-based (calibrate WSR-88D) Skill-based (decision to issue severe thunderstorm warning) Covers all job series and positions at WFOs, RFCs, CWSUs, NCEP National BPSs for all offices Local/Regional BPSs for unique job-tasks (ex. Monterey Bay forecasts) Objectively based evaluation criteria (checklists/proficiency exams) Measures job proficiency - not knowledge

BPS Implementation

MIC/HIC is responsible for certifying all staff meet the BPSs. MIC/HIC maintains current files. Employees are provided time to take relevant training. BPSs and evaluation criteria updated once/year to reflect new

products, data, job tasks, science and technology. Employees re-certified annually only on changes to BPSs. Employees re-certified when they change positions or duty

locations.

BPS Development

Seven teams of 3 Field reps (1 from NWSEO) Meeting at NWSTC Sept. 8-10

+ WFO meteorologist + CWSU meteorologist + Hydrologist + ET/ESA + DAPM/HMT + Management/Supervision/Admin

BPS Time Line

Complete draft BPS August 1999 Begin BPS testing at one WFO, RFC, CWSU Nov 1999 Revise BPS from Test Feb 2000 Complete draft objective evaluation criteria July 2000 Begin BPS extensive testing August 2000 Distribute final BPS/evaluation criteria Jan 2001 Implement BPS Oct 2001