Selection of Candidates for the Division's Graduate School Training Program, 1997-1998 To: "A - Division Chief and Staff", "B - Branch Chiefs and Offices", "DC - All District Chiefs" Subject: Graduate School Training Program announcement (resend) Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Date: Thu, 11 Jul 1996 09:15:48 -0400 From: "Barbara J Gunderson, Human Resources Mgmt. Asst., Reston, VA" NOTE--Please disregard previous memo sent July 10, 1996. ************************************************************************* In Reply Refer To: Mail Stop 406 MEMORANDUM To: All Division Scientists and Professional Administrative and Computer Personnel From: Robert M. Hirsch Chief Hydrologist Subject: Selection of Candidates for the Division's Graduate School Training Program, 1997-1998 APPLICATION DEADLINE IS AUGUST 31, 1996 The general objective of the Graduate School Trainig Program is to raise the level of scientific and administrative management competence in the division. This is done by providing employees an academic opportunity to develop their professional knowledges, skills, and abilities at the graduate level to help meet current and future Water Resources Division (WRD) needs. The 1997-1998 Graduate School Program will encompass varying periods of academic training, up to a maximum of 12 months. The actual length of a participant's training will be determined by the selected course of study, the recommendation of the WRD advisor, and available funds. Expenses, including salary, travel, shipment of household goods and personal effects, tuition, and related fees, are paid for by the division. This year, due to funding limitations and programmatic priorities, the division will likely fund one or two graduate-school candidates that will concentrate studies in fluid dynamics, sedimentology, or systems modeling. However, because so many factors are considered in each selection (for example, qualifications of the applicant, specifics of a training curriculum, etc.), as well as possible changes in programmatic priorities, I encourage those with other interests to apply. Also, as in the past, in order to provide a greater number of training opportunities under this program, districts may choose to directly fund additional candidates from the best-qualified list that are not selected for national support. The Chief Hydrologist, as selecting official, will first choose those employees from the best-qualified candidate list who will be funded at the division level. Then, Regional Hydrologists, in consultation with the Chief Hydrologist, will consider all employees remaining on the best-qualified list for potential district funding support. Graduate training is not provided solely for the purpose of obtaining a degree. However, the division encourages participants to plan course work that will meet the Program's objectives while leading toward the attainment of an advanced degree. The selection of a school and course work should be aimed toward acquiring a broader base of knowledge in the field of hydrology, administrative services, or computer science. Current division program emphases are listed in Attachment A. The topics noted with an asterisk are areas in which the division needs immediate additional expertise and proposals that address studies in these areas will be considered first. However, all applications will be evaluated even if the area of interest is not one of these specific program emphases. Eligibility/evaluation criteria, application procedures, a description of the selection process, and a supervisory appraisal form are included in Attachment B. The division's Graduate School Training Program offers an excellent opportunity for indepth technical and administrative training and career development. I encourage all employees who are qualified and interested to apply. 2 Attachments ATTACHMENT A 1. Scientific Program Emphases: 1997-1998 a. Fluid Dynamics * This program of study focuses on the basic concepts of fluid dynamics, combining the fundamental laws of fluid motion with experimental studies. The scope of this topic is so broad that it forms a basis for such varied fields as meteorology and climatology, oceanography, volcanology, and certain aspects of hydrology. The applicaiton of fluid dynamics in hydrology encompasses diverse processes including atmospheric and terrestrial hydrologic interactions in the atmospheric boundary layer, ground-water flow in porous media, flow in open channels, and dispersion of solutes and solids. b. Sedimentology * The course of study should lead to an improved understanding of the mechanics and hydraulics of sediment transport, modern sampling and estimating techniques, the interation of sorbed and dissolved chemical constituents with sediment particles, interdisciplinary applications of sedimentology such as biological applications, and related fields such as geomorphology and soils science. c. Systems Modeling * A course of study in systems modeling should lead to an understanding of both deterministic and stochastic simulation as well as optimization (emphasizing water-resources planning and management), advanced statistics (including time series analysis), economics, and decision theory. Specialized topical foci in hydrology that are predicated on a strong systems modeling base include such things as network design and hydroclimatology. The course of study should include experience with the development, calibration, verification, and sensitivity analysis of systems models. A desirable elective in this course of study would be the integration of geographic information systems in hydrologic modeling. d. Surface Water Hydrology * A graduate school program in surface-water hydrology would focus on basic aspects of hydrologic processes. Examples could include the causative factors dealing with precipitation and precipitation variability, watershed characteristics and thier influence on the precipitation-runoff process, or the interactions of surface-water and ground-water flow. The program might include advanced studies in hydrodynamics, especially as might be applied to interdisciplinary problems or significant study in the influence of man-induced changes in drainage basins (on runoff characteristics or water quality characteristics of runoff). Emphasis on statistical hydrology, such as frequency analysis, trend analysis, and regionalization of streamflow characteristics, and an introduction to stream modeling concepts could be included in the studies. e. Geochemistry A graduate school program in geochemistry should concentrate on studies in physical and aquatic chemistry, thermodynamics, and hydrogeology. An introduction to aqueous chemical models, linkage of geochemical and transport models, and isotope hydrology are areas of interest to the division and could be included in the program. Topics related to water quality such as surface-water chemistry, waste disposal, ground-water contamination, acid precipitation, environmental organic chemistry, or contaminant tranport would be valuable specialized options. The division is especially interested in fields of study that include a biochemical or hydrogeochemical component and otherwise expand capabilities for working in an interdisciplinary environment. f. Hydrogeology A graduate program in hydrogeology should concentrate on understanding the quantity and quality of the ground-water resource. The program may include an emphasis on processes and/or regional analysis of ground-water systems. Studies related to the importance of earth materials on the quality and movement of ground water are the fundamental goals of this program of study. Topics that may be included for study are flow and tranport in porous and fractured media, the behavior of the vadose zone, the use of geophysical techniques in hydrogeologic investigations, the use of isotopes and other water-quality constituents to aid in understanding ground-water systems, the behavior of multiphase fluids in ground water, saltwater-freshwater relationships, ground- and surface-water interaction, and geologic controls on regional and local ground-water flow systems, biological processes in groundwater, and remediation approaches in contaminated ground-waters. Valuable electives for this program of study may include courses in the use of geographic information systems to assist in the spatial analysis of ground-water information, numerical analyses, and chemistry, especially related to pesticides and other synthetic organic compounds of environmental concern. g. Biological Science The course of study should deal with advanced concepts in aquatic science that deal with interactions between bological processes and physical, chemical, and hydrologic environments. The program might concentrate on microbial biogeochemistry and microbial ecology as they relate to biogeochemical cycling and the fate, movement or concentration of compounds and elements in surface water or ground water. 2. Administrative Program Emphases: 1997-1998 a. Administrative Management A graduate program in administrative management should lead to a comprehensive understanding of public administration and may include graduate work in accounting, finance, management, economics, information technology, business administration, communications, human resources management, or program analysis. Emphasis should be given to business process reengineering, cost acocunting, financial management and auditing. 3. Computer Science Program Emphases: 1997-1998 a. Data Base Systems A course of graduate study in the computer sciences should lead to an advanced understanding of scientific-data structure, and hierarchical and relational data-base management systems data flow, design, and performance. Emphasis should be given to retrieval strategies and languages, the design of user interfaces, configuration management practices, existing data-base management systems hardware and software offerings, and how these systems relate to workflow and enterprise modeling. b. Distributed Systems A course of graduate study in the computer sciences dealing with advance concepts of distributed processing, client-server technology, telecommunications network design and operation, and technical management of the distributed systems environment. Emphasis should be given to problems of data sharing and the security of distributed data bases, strategies for electronic dissemination of information using the World Wide Web, and existing distributed systems supporting scientific-data bases. ATTACHMENT B ELIGIBILITY/EVALUATION CRITERIA Employees who wish to apply must meet the following eligibility requirements: o Be a scientist or professional adminstrative or computer employee in the WRD with a permanent full-time tour of duty. o Have at least 5 years full-time experience with the division by the closing date of the announcement. o Be able to fulfill graduate school entrance requirements. o Be able to complete current work commitments by August 1997. o Make a commitment to stay with the division for at least three times the length of the training period and sign a Continued Service Agreement. This is required by Federal regulation. o Be willing to accept relocation/reassignment as might be required by the division at the conclusion of the training period. Because long-term training programs require competitive selection procedures similar to merit promotion procedures, each applicant must furnish written information on the following selective factors which are those knowledges, abilities, skills, and other characteristics (KASOC's) which have been identified as essential for successful participation in the program. 1. Ability to demonstrate a link between educational background, the proposed field of study, and the program needs of the division. 2. Ability to communicate interpersonally and in writing. 3. Ability to meet deadlines, to maintain production, and to work well with others. 4. Ability to write technical or administrative reports. 5. Ability to apply originality, imagination, creativity, or innovation. HOW TO APPLY Application will consist of the following information and documents, which must be submitted no later than August 31, 1996. Applications from field personnel should be in the form of a memorandum to the appropriate Regional Hydrologist, through channels, with a copy to the Chief, Branch of Human Resources Management Support (HRMS). Applications from National Research Program personnel should be addressed, through channels, to the Acting Chief, Office of Hydrologic Research, with a copy to the Chief, Branch of HRMS. Applications from Headquarters' personnel should be addressed through the appropriate Assistant Cheif Hydrologist or Office Chief, to the Chief, Branch of HRMS. The application should include the following information: 1. A statement describing why the Graduate School Program is important to personal career goals; 2. Proposed academic program and the preference for a University; 3. A current Career Documentation Profile (CDP); 4. College courses completed or transripts (Form 1170)**; 5. Narrative statement addressing the five KASOC's 6. KASOC evaluation form** completed by supervisor; and 7. Preference for assignment after the Program is completed including a description of any factors that might make it impossible for the applicant to relocate upon completion of the Program. The Assistant Chief Hydrologist, Office Chiefs, and the Regional Hydrologists should send application materials of qualified candidates to the Chief, Branch of HRMS, with an endorsement if appropriate, by September 6, 1996. **Form 1170 and the KASOC evaluation form may be obtained by calling the Branch of HRMS. SELECTION PROCESS The Human Resources Management Committee (HRMC) members will evaluate the applications in October to develop a list of best-qualified candidates by rating each applicant against a KASOC Crediting Plan based on application materials. Proposed assignments will be made by the HRMC in December. The best-qualified candidate list and proposed assignments will then be provided to the Chief Hydrologist for selection. The Assistant Chief Hydrologist for Operations will notify each successful candidate and provide an offer of trainig and the proposed next assignment.