International Opportunity--WRD 98-2 Date: Fri, 14 Aug 1998 16:25:05 -0400 From: Anna LenoxReply-To: "Anna M Lenox, Deputy Chief, IWRB, Reston, VA" Organization: U.S. Geological Survey To: "E - All WRD Employees" CC: "Verne R Schneider, Chief, Intl Water Resources Br, Reston, VA" , "Jeffrey E Miller, U.S. Water Data Banks Coord., Tel Aviv (ISRAEL), " , "William J Shampine, Special Asst. to Chief, IWRP, Denver, CO" , "Mark N Landers, Hydrologist(Engineer), Atlanta, GA" , "Catherine L Hill, ACH/Operations, Reston, VA" , "Anna M Lenox, Deputy Chief, IWRB, Reston, VA" Subject: International Opportunity--WRD 98-2 WRD 98-2--Data Evaluation, Regional Water Data Banks Project INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT: This announcement offers an opportunity for two Water Resources Division data analysis experts to work on an international project for a period that will not exceed 2 years. The percentage of time that will be dedicated to the project may be as much as 50 percent. Multiple trips to the project area in Jordan, Israel, and West Bank/Gaza will be required. The positions are not subject to standard selection procedures, do not represent an opportunity for promotion, and are of limited duration. BACKGROUND: In 1991, the USGS was requested by the Department of State to provide technical assistance to the Middle East Peace Process (MEPP) Multilateral Working Group on Water Resources. A USGS-authored Water Data Banks Implementation Plan was adopted during a plenary session of the working group in November 1994. The Plan was designed to establish a water-data collection capability for the Palestinian Water Authority (PWA) and to upgrade and standardize Israeli and Jordanian data collection systems leading to the capability to collect water data of a comparable quality on a regional basis. The Regional Water Data Banks Project is well underway. INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROJECT: The U.S. Regional Coordinator, who is located in Tel Aviv, will facilitate interaction with Jordanian, Israeli, and Palestinian (Core Party) counterparts and arrange travel in the region. The data analysis element will address two components of the Regional Water Data Banks Project. One component will contribute to establishment of a water-data collection capability for the PWA. The USGS data analysis experts will train and assist PWA staff to develop a description of and evaluate existing water data. The USGS team will work with PWA experts following standard data analysis procedures to examine the PWA data bases and help the PWA to write an initial report describing their data. The report will be done by PWA experts in cooperation with the U.S. team and will provide a basic reference for hydrologic analyses based on PWA data. The report will include statistical summaries of data and a description of the sites; period of record; parameters measured; standards, procedures, quality assurance activities; and an evaluation of the quality of the data for groundwater, surface water, water quality, pumping, and precipitation data. The second component will focus on regional aspects of the project. The USGS experts, with assistance and guidance from the USGS MEPP team, will develop and present, to Core Party experts, training in data manipulation and statistical analysis. The USGS employees selected for this opportunity also will assist and advise the Core Party experts on basic data manipulations needed to assemble their surface-water, ground-water, and water-quality data and to conduct a statistical characterization and analysis of the data. It is envisioned that the Core Parties will work together to conduct a regional analysis of selected sites and parameters. A final report describing the results of the regional analysis will be prepared by the Core Party experts with assistance of the U.S. team. APPROPRIATE SKILL LEVEL: Two U.S. experts will be selected. Employees from any classification series will be considered if they can demonstrate appropriate skills and experience. While grade level is not specified; experience required most likely will require GS-12-14 grade level. The employees selected will possess extensive experience and outstanding skills in data-manipulation, statistical aggregation of data, trend analysis, and computer-assisted presentation of information. Both employees also must possess outstanding training skills and excel in interpersonal relations. OPENING AND CLOSING DATES: August 17 to September 11, 1998 FUNDING: Providing office will be fully reimbursed for salary, travel, and other expenses by the International Water Resources Branch. LOCATION: No change of duty station is anticipated. Over the past year, The International Water Resources Branch has partnered effectively with the Georgia District Office to complete a complex component of the Regional Water Data Banks Project. Two employees of the Georgia District have worked with the Core Parties and the USGS MEPP team to complete an Overview of Hydrologic Information. The effort has been administratively and technically supported by Georgia District Staff. That template will apply to the Data Analysis component of the project. Applicants from any location within WRD will be considered; however, priority consideration will be given to candidates from the same office who bring with them the support and interest of their management in implementing the project. The intent is for a local office employing one or both of the successful candidates to take the responsibility for managing the project including publication support. All travel and international support will be provided by the International Water Resources Branch. KASOCS: 1. Ability to apply statistical techniques to hydrologic studies. 2. Ability to communicate interpersonally and in writing. 3. Skill in analyzing, computing, compiling and quality assuring chemical water-quality, stream flow, and ground-water data.. 4. Ability to meet deadlines, maintain production, and work well with others. 5. Ability to write technical reports. 6. Ability to adapt to changing political requirements and to represent US interests abroad. LENGTH OF ASSIGNMENT: Not to exceed 2 years beginning on or about October 1, 1998. APPLICATION: Applicants are requested to forward a statement of interest through supervisory channels, via email, to alenox@usgs.gov. Please include text addressing the KASOCS, a copy of current CDP, and a summary of human/technical resources that the applicant would bring to the project. For more specific information, contact: Bill Shampine at 303-236-4935 (shampine@usgs.gov), Anna Lenox at 703-648-5053 (alenox@usgs.gov), or Verne Schneider at 703-648-5230 (vrschnei@usgs.gov). -- ************************************ Anna M. Lenox Dep. Chief Branch of Intl. Water Resources U.S. Geological Survey Phone: 703-648-5053 Fax: 703-648-6687 ************************************