Beach Quality Forecasting Coordinator

The NOAA Center of
Excellence for Great Lakes and Human Health (CEGLHH)

is currently seeking a Beach Quality Forecasting Coordinator to

coordinate on-going efforts of CEGLHH and other agencies with the
purpose of developing and implementing a generalized approach to
beach quality nowcasting and forecasting. CEGLHH, a multi-disciplinary,
multi-institutional research center based at the NOAA Great Lakes
Environmental Research Laboratory in Ann Arbor, Michigan, is
developing tools to predict water quality in the Great Lakes. Focus areas for
the Center include ecological forecasting, nearshore transport,
drinking water, beach closings, and harmful algal blooms. Specific

responsibilities for the Coordinator include:

1. Inventory and document ongoing activities related to beach
quality forecasting such as

- USGS Project SAFE

- USGS Ohio beach nowcasting

- Lake County Illinois Swimcast

- Great Lakes Information Network Beachcast

- NOAA/GLERL research on process-based beach quality modeling

- EPA AMI bacterial exposure project

2. Develop a generalized process for beach quality
nowcasting, forecasting, and product delivery. The process should include
a protocol for identifying appropriate parameters to use as
independent variables, gathering water quality records, obtaining the required
independent variables, developing a statistical model relating
water quality to the independent variables, implementing a system for
routine operation of the model in nowcast and forecast mode as well as
dissemination to users, and evaluation of the accuracy of the system.

The coordinator might not be the person carrying out all these
activities, but would be responsible for coordinating the required
activities, documenting the protocol, and ensuring that the
protocol could be applied and sustained at any new beaches.

3. Work with EPA, USGS, NOAA, Sea
Grant, appropriate state and local agencies, and the Great Lakes Beach Association to make sure
that the end result is a product that will be useful for both nowcasting
and forecasting of conditions at Great Lakes beaches. The product
should also be transferable to other beaches and operationally
sustainable.

In addition, the Coordinator will be expected to possess existing

knowledge on methods for predicting recreational water quality at
beaches and the processes needed to develop data sets capable of
providing useful explanatory variables for model development.


DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

1. PhD in water quality field with emphasis on statistical or
computer modeling.

2. Experience in developing and implementing predictive
models for beach water quality.

3. Demonstrated effective leadership ability, effective
human relations and communications skills, both written and oral.

4. Experience in establishing collaborations. Proven track
record of working with Great Lakes or coastal-based groups to establish program/project direction.

5. Computer skills, including the use of word processing,
presentation

software, development of multimedia programs and web design.


LOCATION: NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, Ann Arbor, Michigan

AVAILABLE: September 2008

FURTHER INFORMATION:

Dr. David J. Schwab, Physical Oceanographer
NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory
CEGLHH Deputy Director
2205 Commonwealth Blvd.
Ann Arbor, MI 48105
Phone: 734-741-2120

Email: david.schwab@noaa.gov
<mailto:david.schwab@noaa.gov>