Marine Professional Development Series

• PCU 1: Develop and Maintain User Awareness and Partnership

  Description of Job Competency to be Achieved:
  Marine weather forecasters at coastal and Great Lakes Weather Forecast Offices and National Centers will learn to establish and nourish working relationships with the key marine forecast constituents in their area. This will ensure forecasters understand the specific needs of users. Forecasters will be better able to understand the importance of marine weather behavior on types of vessels, watercraft and surf enthusiasts in order to provide a more focused, targeted and effective service. Depending on the type of vessel or personal watercraft being used, varying sea conditions affect users in drastically different fashion. Shallow versus steep swells, large and battering breaking waves, varying local topography and bathymetry all impact mariners differently depending on type of vessel. Mariners in smaller vessels encountering hazardous conditions along the Nation's coastal waters and the Great Lakes may be hours away from a safe port and at the mercy of the elements. Large ships at sea also face potentially great dangers and are often several days away from port. When in peril, rescue of these vessels may be hours or days in coming. Reliable, rapid, and easy access to weather information, when properly understood and applied, supports decisions which ultimately lead to saving lives and reducing economic losses.

  • Ability 1. Define users of marine products and services.
    • Skill 1.1. Recognize who users are, and why they use NWS Marine Products and Services.
      • IC: "Understanding Marine Customers" (COMET Module) (update needed)
      • IC: Residence course on maritime weather, for interaction purposes with merchant mariners (i.e. MITAGS)
      • IC: Discover outreach opportunities (i.e. NWS Outreach and Education Event System (NOEES)).
      • IC: Participate in local staff outreach marine training.
      • IC: Become familiar with types of marine crafts common within forecast waters.
  • Ability 2. Define how users ingest, digest, and react to NWS Marine Products and Services.
    • Skill 2.1. Understand how users receive NWS Marine Products and Services.
      • IC: Review section 10-3 of NWS Instructions.
      • IC: Review NWS Instructions in 10-17 on communication methods (i.e. web, radio, phone, etc.).
      • IC: Review Dissemination section on weather.gov/marine.
    • Skill 2.2. Gain insight on how users interpret NWS Marine Products and Services.
      • IC: "Interpersonal Communication: Communicating with Confidence" (SkillSoft Course), to develop skills needed by marine focal points to engage the marine community.
      • IC: Attend user forums at various marine meetings and conferences (i.e. clubs and associations).
    • Skill 2.3. Understand how NWS Marine Products and Services cause users to react.
      • IC: Participate in office familiarization with local mariners and FAM FLOATS.
      • IC: Define user needs/thresholds in the marine environment.
      • IC: Perform targeted "surveys" of users.
  • Ability 3. Differentiate the various types of marine users by season.
    • Skill 3.1. Identify year-round marine users.
      • IC: Surfers
      • IC: Beach Goers
      • IC: Coast Guard and other marine oriented agencies
      • IC: Harbormasters and others within the Marine Transportation System
    • Skill 3.2. Identify winter season marine users.
      • IC: Invertebrate Harvesters
    • Skill 3.3. Identify spring season marine users.
      • IC: Bottom Fish
    • Skill 3.4. Identify summer season marine users.
      • IC: Tuna Fishers
    • Skill 3.5. Identify fall season marine users.
      • IC: Salmon Fishers
  • Ability 4. Develop soft skills to facilitate relationships with users.
    • Skill 4.1. Apply effective communication with users.
      • IC: "Communication Skills" (SkillSoft Course)
      • IC: "Interpersonal Communication: Listening Essentials" (SkillSoft Course)
      • IC: "Writing for Technical Professionals: Effective Writing Techniques" (SkillSoft Course)
      • IC: "Basic Presentation Skills: Creating a Presentation" (SkillSoft Course)
      • IC: "Basic Presentation Skills: Delivering a Presentation" (SkillSoft Course)
    • Skill 4.2. Exhibit leadership.
      • IC: "Leadership Essentials: Building Your Influence as a Leader" (SkillSoft Course)
    • Skill 4.3. Demonstrate intelligence.
      • IC: "Diversity on the Job: Diversity and You" (SkillSoft Course)
      • IC: "What is Emotional Intelligence?" (SkillSoft Course)
      • IC: "Critical Thinking Essentials: Applying Critical Thinking Skills" (SkillSoft Course)
      • IC: "Problem Solving: Generating Alternatives" (SkillSoft Course)
      • IC: "Problem Solving and Decision Making in Groups" (SkillSoft Course)