Caribbean Water Science Center Science Plan 1999

Plan Implementation

This science plan is dependent upon a highly trained, enthusiastic work force.   The following information describes our objectives regarding staffing needs, training, and outreach.

Staffing Needs

The Caribbean District is committed to promote diversity in its work force.   During the past year, we have been actively involved in the Bureau Diversity Recruitment Team.  The Eastern Region Team I promoted 50 percent of the hirings through this program this year. We have effectively used students for the last three years.  This summer, we had nine students participating either as volunteers or as temporary employees.

The Caribbean District is facing shortages of employees in the following areas: geographic information systems specialists, hydrologic technicians, and hydrologists.   For FY 2000 the District will need at least two full time positions for hydrologic technicians, and one for GIS.  The District is generating publications in both English and Spanish and two translator positions are needed.

Training

Training will be provided to all new Caribbean District employees in accordance to policies established by the Southeastern Region and WRD.  All Caribbean District employees will be provided with periodic and timely training to maintain and improve their technical expertise in the job-related duties required of them.

Provide periodic training in technical report writing and report planning to all Caribbean District authors; both in general terms and with regard to USGS requirements.

Outreach

The Caribbean District currently participates in outreach and education programs. Our main products are the publications generated by water-resources investigation projects. Therefore, we are committed to meeting all report product deadlines for presently active and future projects. The District has cooperated with the National outreach programs in translating into Spanish various outreach publications in-house or through partnership with local universities (for example, Water Research Professional’s Outreach Notebook, GW).

Produce publications including, fact sheets, informational pamphlets, and press releases for the purpose of informing and educating the Nation's public about hydrologic concepts and current hydrologic issues affecting or occurring in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. All such publications will be released in both English and Spanish so as to maximize the dissemination of this information throughout Puerto Rico and to enhance USGS visibility in Latin America.

Maintain optimal staffing levels and employee preparedness in the Reports Unit so that publications, quality remains high and deadlines are always met. Maintain translation capability to generate additional bilingual publications.

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