International Opportunity, WRD   No. 2000-01

02/25/2000                                                                           
               
To:  GS-W All                              
cc:  Vern R Schneider/WRD/DOI/USGS                                      
                                                            

Subject:  International Opportunity, WRD   No. 2000-01                                   
                                                                           
            
The USGS is assisting recovery efforts in Central American countries
affected by Hurricane Mitch. During the period April to August 2000, the
USGS will conduct indirect measurement of peak discharge and/or
step-backwater analyses for rating-curve development at newly constructed
gage sites. These activities will be conducted Honduras, Nicaragua, El
Salvador, and Guatemala.  In Nicaragua and El Salvador, indirect
measurements of Mitch flood peaks may be conducted (depending on the
quality of high-water marks that still exist).  The costs associated with
this work will be reimbursed by the Hurricane Mitch project.

Survey crews will be programmed for one to two weeks in each country.
Survey sites have not been specifically identified ? this is a preliminary
announcement to identify interested and qualified personnel within USGS.
Candidates will need to acquire passports and receive immunizations
necessary for international travel.  Spanish language skills, experience
working in developing countries, and the ability to mobilize on short
notice (3 weeks), will be beneficial.  Working conditions may be strenuous
and primitive.  Technical qualifications for team members are described
below.

Surface-water hydrologist:  Hydrologist (preferably bilingual in Spanish
and English), able to recon, set up, and compute indirect measurements
(including slope-areas, bridges, width contractions, critical-depth), as
well as able to identify high water marks; ideally the crew chief will have
experience with operation of the total station (Sokkia or Topcon), if
necessary.  Measurement computations may be done on the field using a
laptop computer.  This person will act as crew chief.

Surveyor:  Scientist or surveyor with extensive experience in river surveys
for indirect measurements. Experience with Sokkia or Topcon total stations,
datalogger, and Sokkia Mapper software for data manipulation and analysis.

Hydrologic technician or hydrologist:  Team member with experience in
indirect measurements of peak discharge, to assist with surveying
activities (high-water-mark and cross-section surveys, other survey
activities) and measurement computations.

On-the job training of counterparts will be an important aspect of this
work. One to three technical specialists from host-country agencies will
assist each survey team.

By March 10, 2000, please respond with a summary of qualifications and
related experience to:

Verne Schneider (vrschnei@usgs.gov) Chief,International Water Resources Branch 
Mark Smith (mesmith@usgs.gov) USGS Surface-Water Data Coordinator for Hurricane 
Mitch project in Central America.