NOAA/National Weather Service's Chief Learning Office United States Department of Commerce
Commerce Learning Center

Hydrology Professional Development Series (PDS) 3 : Manage a Hydrology Program

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):
John Bradley - 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.
  • 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

PCU 3: Maintain WFO hydrology database and software applications


Producers:
Melissa Smith - WFO Rapid City SD (UNR), melissa.smith@noaa.gov

Description of Job Competency to be Achieved :
Ensure the WFO hydrology database is complete and current with software applications properly maintained and available to WFO operational staff.

Description of Need :
Information maintained in databases and accessed via software applications in the WFO hydrology program are crucial to support forecast, warning, other public service programs within the NWS hydrologic program and to entities outside of the NWS.

Abilities/Performance Elements:
Ability 1.
Acquire necessary computer skills to manage WFO hydrologic databases and software applications
    Skill 1.1.
    Apply structured query language (SQL) for managing data in relational database management systems.
    • IC Title: SQL Server 2016 Database Objects
    • Type: Formal Training (in LMS as SkillSoft)
    • URL/location:https://doc.csod.com
    • Description: This course identifies each of these database objects and demonstrates the steps required to administer them within the SQL Server 2008 Management Studio tool. This course is one of a series in the SkillSoft learning path that covers the objectives for the Microsoft exam: 70-433 TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Database Development.
    • Length: 2.5 hours
    • IC Title: Postgres Overview for ESAs, ITOs, and AWIPS Focal Points
    • Type: Formal Training (in LMS)
    • URL/location:https://doc.csod.com
    • Description: This course was developed primarily for ESA's, ITO's, and AWIPS Focal Points. This course provides students with Linux/Unix system administration, Informix or basic database experience the opportunity to gain introductory understanding of basic PostgresSQL in an "AWIPS" like environment. The course consists of reading assignments, reading highlights, and hands-on labs and quizzes. The labs will be performed remotely on a NWSTC server with a copy of an AWIPS Postgres database. The student will gain an introductory level of understanding of basic PostgreSQL user and administration functions.
    • Modules list:
      • Introduction (no exercise, 20m)
      • Getting Started (30m)
      • The SQL Language (30m)
      • Advanced Features (30m)
      • Database Users and Privileges (30m)
      • Managing Databases (30m)
      • Client Authentication (30m)
      • Routine Database Maintenance (30m)
      • Backup and Restore (30m)
      • Monitoring Database Activity (30m)
      • Monitoring Disk Usage (30m)
      • Course Exam and Survey (20m)
    • Length: 5.5 hours for all modules though not all modules may need to be taken
    • IC Title: AWIPS-2 WHFS Focal Point Introduction
    • Type: Formal Training (in LMS)
    • URL/location:https://doc.csod.com
    • Description: This course provides detailed instruction on the management of hydrologic software associated with the WHFS database and AWIPS. The course builds on the basic proficiency gained in the intro WHFS course and utilizes hands-on instruction in the setup and implementation of the different software. It also demonstrates training methods used in an operational setting by Hydrology Focal Points.
    • Length: 4 hours
    Skill 1.2.
    Familiarization with graphical user interface (gui) functionality
    • IC Title: AFP AWIPS Overview
    • Type: Formal Training (in LMS)
    • URL/location:https://doc.csod.com
    • Description: This foundational module provides a basic overview of the AWIPS-2 system, including the basic functions of CAVE and EDEX, how data flows through the system, and how AWIPS-2 implements service oriented architecture.
      • AWIPS-2 Overview
      • EDEX Overview
      • CAVE Overview (Part 1) [basic topics]
      • CAVE Overview (Part 2) [config files]
      • AWIPS-2 Configuration and the Localization Perspective
    Skill 1.3.
    Applied use of unix operating system functions and the vi text editor.
    • IC Title: Postgres Overview for ESAs, ITOs, and AWIPS Focal Points
    • Type: Formal Training (in LMS)
    • URL/location:https://doc.csod.com
    • Description: This course was developed primarily for ESA's, ITO's, and AWIPS Focal Points. This course provides students with Linux/Unix system administration, Informix or basic database experience the opportunity to gain introductory understanding of basic PostgresSQL in an "AWIPS" like environment. The course consists of reading assignments, reading highlights, and hands-on labs and quizzes. The labs will be performed remotely on a NWSTC server with a copy of an AWIPS Postgres database. The student will gain an introductory level of understanding of basic PostgreSQL user and administration functions.
    • Modules list:
      • Introduction (no exercise, 20m)
      • Getting Started (30m)
      • The SQL Language (30m)
      • Advanced Features (30m)
      • Database Users and Privileges (30m)
      • Managing Databases (30m)
      • Client Authentication (30m)
      • Routine Database Maintenance (30m)
      • Backup and Restore (30m)
      • Monitoring Database Activity (30m)
      • Monitoring Disk Usage (30m)
      • Course Exam and Survey (20m)
    • Length: 5.5 hours for all modules though not all modules may need to be taken
    Skill 1.4.
    Capture and utilize web-based information and databases

    Skill 1.5.
    Applied use of geographic information systems (GIS) for revelation and understanding of data relationships, patterns and trends

    Skill 1.6.
    Assess new technologies for integration into hydrologic functions.


Ability 2.
Manage hydrologic data within various databases to ensure they are complete and current (AHPS CMS, NWSLI, IHFS, HADS, HydroBase and applications, Dam Catalog, CSSA)
    Skill 2.1.
    Identify hydrologic databases and review pertinent data parameters
    • IC Title: Hydro Program Managers Course
    • Type: Formal Training (in LMS)
    • URL/location:https://training.weather.gov/nwstc/Hydrology/hpm/index.html
    • Description: Effective FY 2010, this ONLINE course is a mandatory PREREQUISITE to attending the 3.5-day Hydrology Program Manager residence course at the NWSTC in Kansas City, MO. The residence course covers fieldwork, collaboration with partners, dealing with the media, and brief overview of the WHFS software on AWIPS.The goal of this online prerequisite course is to provide an overview of the duties of a Hydrology Program Manager in the NWS and a guided exploration of related directives.
    • Length: 1 hour
    Skill 2.2.
    Confirm and maintain the functionality of the systems listed in Ability 2. (AHPS CMS, NWSLI, IHFS, HADS, HydroBase and applications, Dam Catalog, CSSA)

    Skill 2.3.
    Integrate new information into hydrologic databases

    Skill 2.4.
    Define the delivery path of information from databases to user programs

    Skill 2.5.
    Examine consistency between databases

    Skill 2.6.
    Troubleshoot data problems by identifying errors and enacting corrections


Ability 3.
Maintain hydrologic software and templates (e.g. SCP/LAD, NRLDB, Site Specific, WarrnGen, RiverPro, GFE, MPE, Rivermonitor, AHPS, FFMP, Hydroview and sub-applications, etc.)
    Skill 3.1.
    Install, localize, and maintain hydrology-related software, including AWIPS and PC-based applications.
    • IC Title: AWIPS-2 System Administration Overview for ESAs and ITOs
    • Type: Formal Training (in LMS)
    • URL/location:https://doc.csod.com
    • Description: This course is a pre-requisite for the AWIPS 2 System Administration residence training course. This course provides information about the NWSTC installation, configuration, and monitoring of AWIPS 2. The student will be able to gain hands-on experience through remote access to an NWSTC AWIPS 2 system by logging in through their own AWIPS system.
    • At the end of this course you will:
      • Have knowledge of AWIPS 2 installation, processes and configuration
      • Have knowledge of AWIPS 2 data flow
      • Have knowledge of CAVE processes, configuration and logging
      • Have knowledge of EDEX processes, configuration and logging
      • Have knowledge of AWIPS 2 data purging processes, configuration and logging
      • login to NWSTC remotely and use Linux commands to examine and monitor the NWSTC AWIPS 2 installation, configuration and processes
    • Length: 4 hours for all modules
    • IC Title: Precipitation Estimates, Part 2: Analysis
    • Type: Formal Training (in LMS)
    • URL/location: https://doc.csod.com
    • Description: This course shows how to use the MPE_Editor to correct bad rain gage, radar, or satellite data
    • Length: 30 minutes
    • IC Title: AWIPS-2 WHFS Focal Point River Monitor
    • Type: Formal Training (in LMS)
    • URL/location: https://doc.csod.com
    • Description: The purpose of RiverMonitor is to give the office a graphical tool for easily monitoring the hydrologic situation within the area of responsibility. This includes both observed and forecast river stages as well as pending product expiration times. The product expiration times have become a more pressing issue in the VTEC (Valid Time Event Code) era of issuing products.This course describes and explains how to use the RiverMonitor application interface at a WFO.
    • Length: 30 minutes
    Skill 3.2.
    Adapt and customize hydrologic templates to meet local WFO needs

    Skill 3.3.
    Troubleshoot software problems by identifying errors and enacting corrections
    • IC Title: AWIPS-2 System Administration Overview for ESAs and ITOs
    • Type: Formal Training (in LMS)
    • URL/location:https://doc.csod.com
    • Description: This course is a pre-requisite for the AWIPS 2 System Administration residence training course. This course provides information about the NWSTC installation, configuration, and monitoring of AWIPS 2. The student will be able to gain hands-on experience through remote access to an NWSTC AWIPS 2 system by logging in through their own AWIPS system.
    • At the end of this course you will:
      • Have knowledge of AWIPS 2 installation, processes and configuration
      • Have knowledge of AWIPS 2 data flow
      • Have knowledge of CAVE processes, configuration and logging
      • Have knowledge of EDEX processes, configuration and logging
      • Have knowledge of AWIPS 2 data purging processes, configuration and logging
      • login to NWSTC remotely and use Linux commands to examine and monitor the NWSTC AWIPS 2 installation, configuration and processes
    • Length: 4 hours for all modules
    • IC Title: Precipitation Estimates, Part 2: Analysis
    • Type: Formal Training (in LMS)
    • URL/location: https://doc.csod.com
    • Description: This course shows how to use the MPE_Editor to correct bad rain gage, radar, or satellite data
    • Length: 30 minutes


Ability 4.
Identify data quality assurance standards and procedures to ensure a seamless flow of high quality observations and data.
    Skill 4.1.
    Define observation standards, internal data checking procedures, and flow of data into WFO hydrologic systems
    • IC Title: Precipitation Estimates, Part 2: Analysis
    • Type: Formal Training (in LMS)
    • URL/location: https://doc.csod.com
    • Description: This course shows how to use the MPE_Editor to correct bad rain gage, radar, or satellite data
    • Length: 30 minutes
    • IC Title: CPM01 - Cooperative Network Operations
    • Type: Formal Training (NWSTC)
    • URL/location: https://training.weather.gov/nwstc/CourseInfo/index.php?course=cno
    • Description: To provide the knowledge and skills needed to maintain and manage the Cooperative Observation Program and its associated equipment, and how Co-op supports the Climate, Hydrologic, and Forecast & Warning programs within the NWS, NOAA, and other partner agencies.
    • Length: Residence (8 working days)
    Skill 4.2.
    Identify and develop quality assurance procedures

    Skill 4.3.
    Monitor flow of hydrologic data in WFO hydrologic systems

    Skill 4.4.
    Maintain observation checking procedures


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