Revisions to the WRD Technical Training Program Date: Tue, 16 Jul 1996 11:14:45 -0500 To: "E - All WRD Employees" From: "Robert M Hirsch, Chief Hydrologist, Reston, VA" (Robert Hirsch) Subject: Revisions to the WRD Technical Training Program Cc: "File WRD Archive Reston, VA" , "Joanne C Taylor, Secretary (Typing), Reston, VA" In Reply Refer To: Mail Stop 411 MEMORANDUM July 16, 1996 To: All Water Resources Division Employees From: Robert M. Hirsch (signed) Chief Hydrologist Subject: Revisions to the Water Resources Division Technical Training Program In May 1995, the Water Resources Division (WRD) Technical Training Committee, in an effort to make the Division's training efforts more responsive to programmatic needs, established two teams to reevaluate training strategies within the Division. Strategy Team 1 was charged with evaluating the WRD Technical Training Program and was requested specifically to make recommendations related to Level I training. Strategy Team 2 was charged with evaluating how training is managed within the Division and was requested specifically to make recommendations for how to identify training needs. Currently, the recommendations of these committees are being considered by the WRD Senior Staff in a reevaluation of the Division's Technical Training Program. This memorandum announces changes related to the organization and requirements associated with Level I training. Effective immediately, the Level I, II and III training categorization system that was instituted in WRD Memorandum No. 92.55 is abolished. Courses that were offered in Level I are now referred to as introductory courses. In addition, the mandatory requirement that new employees take all of the introductory courses is dropped. An exception is that each new employee is still required to take the course "Orientation for New Employees." The following specific changes in the introductory courses are being made: (1) The Surface-Water Principles and Surface-Water Field Techniques courses will be combined into a 1-week course; (2) The Ground-Water Principles and Ground-Water Field Techniques courses will be combined into a 1-week course; and (3) The Water-Quality Principles course will be evaluated for addition of selected sections on sampling and laboratory analysis. (The Water-Quality Field Techniques course will continue to be offered through the National Training Center.) The Discipline Offices will take the lead in streamlining the new introductory courses over the next year. The target audience for these courses is defined as hydrologic technicians who work in the respective discipline area and entry-level hydrologists who need a basic introduction to the discipline area, although the courses are open to all employees. To maximize their effectiveness, it is recommended that the introductory courses be taken in the first 3 years of WRD employment or following a change in the discipline area of the work assignment. The Discipline Offices will continue to update these courses to maintain their effectiveness and to foster wider use of directed-study approaches such as on-the-job training, use of local mentors, computer-based training, and self-paced assignments. The Regional Hydrologists will be responsible for implementing the offering of these courses in their Regions on an as-needed basis. The introductory courses also will be offered periodically at the National Training Center to serve those employees unable to attend the regional course offerings. I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the contribution of those who have helped to develop the Division's introductory courses. I look forward to additional evolutionary changes in our Technical Training Program that will keep the Division well equipped to address rapidly changing problems and issues in the hydrologic sciences. ************************************************************* Robert M. Hirsch Phone: 703/648-5215 Chief Hydrologist Fax: 703/648-5002 409 National Center Internet: rhirsch@usgs.gov U.S. Geological Survey Reston, VA 20192 *************************************************************