Subject:     Operational Proficiency for AFOS and RTA Operators

Reference(s):     WSOM Chapter A-10 Issuance 70-27, July 7, 1970
    Cancels:           OML 3-84 dated March 27, 1984, filed with A-10

BACKGROUND

It is imperative that personnel at every Automation of Field Operations and Services (AFOS) and Remote Terminal to AFOS (RTA) site be able to operate and maintain their system at a high level of proficiency to ensure network integrity and timely and reliable delivery of products. The inability to routinely operate the local system and the inability to recover expeditiously from a failure at any node may seriously degrade the integrity of the AFOS network.

PURPOSE

The purposes of this OML are to serve as a management tool to (1) define a minimum proficiency level for personnel who operate the AFOS system or the RTA system and (2) ensure that operators are adequately trained to meet this proficiency level.

IMPLEMENTATION

By the midpoint of each personnel evaluation cycle, each operator shall demonstrate proficiency in the basic operations of the AFOS system or RTA system, as well as any additional on-site operational systems such as the Satellite Weather Information System (SWIS) and Auxiliary/Backup Terminal (ABT) interfaced to the network. At this mid-point review, any performance deficiencies will be documented and a performance improvement plan, in accordance with the General Work Force Performance Appraisal System (GWPAS) document, will be prepared. At the final review, satisfactory completion of (or progress in) performance improvement plans shall be demonstrated.

The paragraphs below list responsibilities for training and performance and define the minimum proficiency required of all AFOS and RTA operators. Also included are proficiency checklists. These checklists reflect minimum proficiency requirements stated herein. Separate checklists are provided for AFOS and RTA operators. Weather Service Offices (WSO) require only the single AFOS operator checklist, whereas node sites and River Forecast Centers (RFC) each require an additional checklist reflecting responsibilities unique to their system operations. An additional checklist for SWIS operations is required of all Satellite Focal Points/Program Leaders, and optionally for other site staff, according to regional policy. At most sites the meteorologist in charge (MIC), hydrologist in charge (HIC), or official in charge (OIC) will assign the responsibility of administering the AFOS or RTA proficiency check to the AFOS Systems Manager (ASM), the AFOS Program Leader (APL) or RTA Program Leader (RPL). The proficiency check may be administered in one or more sessions. The proficiency checklists should be considered by the employee's supervisor in the final performance evaluation.

WEATHER SERVICE HEADQUARTERS

    Weather Service Headquarters in conjunction with the regional headquarters is responsible for:

    (1) defining minimum duties for the ASM's and WSO APL's and RPL's,

    (2) setting minimum proficiency requirements for shift leaders and other operators, and

    (3) providing training to ASM's and WSO APL's and RPL's.

REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS

    Regional headquarters is responsible for:

    (1) managing the operational proficiency program within the region, and

    (2) determining training requirements within the region, ensuring that site managers are knowledgeable of the training requirements, and providing supplemental training as resources permit.

AFOS NODE SITES/NATIONAL CENTERS

    A.     Area managers/MIC's (AM/MIC) have the final responsibility in their Weather Service Forecast Office (WSFO) area for:

    (1)     maintaining network integrity (to include RFC's and WSO's) and adequate backup procedures,

    (2)     ensuring that all operators within the forecast management area meet and maintain minimum proficiency in AFOS operations,

    (3)     identifying training deficiencies and recommending steps for correction,

    (4)     within available resources, ensuring that the WSFO ASM is available for system data base maintenance and supporting WSO personnel,

    (5)     ensuring that all WSFO shift leaders understand applicable instructions for notifying and obtaining electronics technician services, and

    (6)     ensuring that all equipment failures are properly logged on WS Form A-23.

B. WSFO ASM's are responsible for:

    (1)     training station personnel as required to attain and maintain operational proficiency,

    (2)     assisting area managers in identifying training needs,

    (3)     performing necessary checks to ensure the proficiency of forecast area personnel as prescribed in this letter, using the attached forms. The AM/MIC may delegate the responsibility for administering the proficiency checks to shift leaders as necessary,

    (4)     maintaining AFOS data base integrity and updates,

    (5)     verifying backup procedures to maintain system and network integrity, and

    (6)     assisting regional headquarters in the training of APL's and RPL's.

C. Satellite Focal Points (SFP) and Satellite Program Leaders (SPL) are responsible for:

    (1)     training station personnel as required on SWIS operations,

    (2)     assisting area managers in identifying training needs,

    (3)     performing necessary checks to ensure the SWIS proficiency of forecast area personnel, and

    (4)     maintaining the SWIS imagery schedule and associated system parameters.

D. Shift Leaders at WSFO's are responsible for:

    (1)     ensuring effective and efficient operation of the AFOS system during the shift, including:

            a.     taking action necessary to resolve AF0S problems within a reasonable time frame, and

            b.     setting priorities for the use of the background memory partition and for console operation.

    (2)     ensuring that all equipment failures are properly logged on WS Form A-23.

RIVER FORECAST CENTERS

A.    HIC's have responsibility for:

    (1)     ensuring effective and efficient operation of the AFOS system. This includes taking action necessary to resolve problems; actions taken may be under the direction of the Systems Monitoring and Coordination Center ( SMCC ),

    (2)     ensuring that all operators at RFC's meet and maintain minimum proficiency in AFOS and Remote Job Entry (RJE) operations,

    (3)     identifying training deficiencies and recommending steps for their correction,

    (4)     ensuring that all RFC personnel understand applicable instructions for notifying and obtaining electronics technician services, and

    (5)     ensuring that all equipment failures are properly logged on WS Form A-23.

B.    RFC ASM's are responsible for:

    (1)     training station personnel as required to attain and maintain operational proficiency,

    (2)     assisting HIC in identifying training needs,

    (3)     performing necessary checks to ensure proficiency of station personnel, as prescribed in this letter, using the appropriate attached forms, and

    (4)     maintaining AFOS data base integrity and updates.

WEATHER SERVICE OFFICES

A.    WSO MIC/OIC's at AFOS sites have responsibility for:

    (1)     ensuring effective and efficient operation of the AFOS system. This includes taking action necessary to resolve problems; actions taken may be under the direction of SMCC,

    (2)     ensuring that all operators at WSO's, including the MIC/OIC, meet and maintain minimum proficiency in AFOS operations,

    (3)     identifying training deficiencies and recommending steps for their correction,

    (4)     ensuring that all WSO personnel understand applicable instructions for notifying and obtaining electronics technician services, and

    (5)     ensuring that all equipment failures are properly logged on WS Form A-23.

B.    WSO APL's are responsible for assisting MIC/OIC's in:

    (1)     training station personnel as required to attain and maintain operational proficiency,

    (2)     in coordination with the WSF0 ASM, performing necessary checks to ensure proficiency of station personnel as prescribed in this letter, using the appropriate attached form, and

    (3)     maintaining AFOS data base integrity and updates.

ALL AFOS OPERATORS

All AFOS operators must demonstrate the ability to perform the proficiency items in Attachment 1, with minimum use of reference materials and within a reasonable amount of time. Operators at AFOS node offices must also demonstrate the proficiency items in Attachment 2. Operators at RFC's must demonstrate the proficiency items in Attachment 3, in addition to those in Attachment 1.

                      (2)     Instructions marked with an asterisk (*) may be omitted from the yearly proficiency checks based on the evaluator's judgment of the operator's skills. New operators should  be required to complete the entire checklist(s). Offices   may add other items to the checklist based on local requirements.

REMOTE TERMINAL TO AFOS SITES

MIC/OIC's at RTA sites have responsibility for:

        (1)    in coordination with the WSFO ASM, performing necessary checks to ensure that all operators meet and maintain proficiency in RTA operation and network protocol in normal and backup situations as prescribed in this letter, using the appropriate attached form, and

        (2)    identifying training deficiencies and recommending steps for corrections.

ALL RTA OPERATORS

All RTA operators at synchronous RTA sites must demonstrate the ability to perform proficiency items 1-12 in Attachment 4, and an addition, items 13-17, if the site has an RTA backup system. All RTA operators at asynchronous RTA sites must demonstrate the proficiency items in Attachment 5.

    NOTES:     (1)     Items with the word "describe" in the following proficiency checks indicate that  the action listed should not be performed in its entirety. The operator could type (but not enter) the commands needed to accomplish the task, or find the handbook entry listing instructions for the task.

                    (2)     Instructions marked with an asterisk (*) may be omitted from the yearly proficiency checks based on the evaluator's judgment of the operator's skills.  New operators should be required to complete the entire checklist(s). Offices   may add other items to the checklist based on local requirements.

Richard E. Hallgren
Assistant Administrator
    for Weather Services

Attachments

Attachment 1
OML 1-88

ITEM	TIME ALLOWED	REFERENCE NUMBER	DATE COMPLETED
*1. Display CIL's and PIL's.	1 min.	1
*2. Display products.	1 min.	1
*3. Issue a request/reply; discuss the use and limitations of request/reply.	2 min.	1
*4. Describe designating a special observation for issuance on AFOS and ABT.	1 min.	2
*5. Set alarm for critical products.	2 min.	2
6. Use INIT, RELEASE, DIR commands at dasher and INIT, RELEASE commands at ADM.	2 min.	3
*7. Display files and archived products (MLOG:).	1 min.	1
*8. Manipulate asynchronous circuit queues.	3 min.	1,5
9. Use COMMS: and ACOMMS: commands.	1 min.	1,5
10. Demonstrate dial backup procedures.	3 min.	1,4,7
*11. Describe recovery from ADM/GDM display hangs	1 min.	1,4
*12. Complete Message Composition, then edit a test (or real) product.	2 min.	1
*13. Create, run, and interrupt a short procedure.	3 min.	1
*14. Create a short preformat and store a test (or real) product using it.	2 min.	1
*15. Describe use of control (CTRL) key command to terminate AFOS.	1 min.	1
*16. Describe halting RDOS and the steps needed for a complete power-down.	2 min.	4
17. Describe a Phoenix-only boot, when one is used, and its implications.	2 min.	2
18. Describe the RDOS boot procedure and use it.	2 min.	2
*19. Describe what Modify is used for and how to run it.	1 min.	2
20. Describe Message Composition recovery procedures.	2 min.	2
21. Power down and reinitialize the ABT.	2 min.	6
22. Compose a test (or real) product on the ABT and transmit it to the host AFOS.	3 min.	6
23. Request a product on the ABT, route the reply to the ABT printer, discuss the use and limitations of request/reply.	1 min.	6
24. Demonstrate configuring the ABT as host and remote site for dedicated backup.	8 min.	6
25. Describe configuring the ABT as host and remote site for dial backup.	3 min.	6
AVERAGE TIME, WSO proficiency check:	52 min

.NOTE:    Test products should not normally be transmitted and shall consist solely of the words
                "manual - PLEASE DISREGARD."

References:

1.    AFOS Handbook 2, Operator's Handbook; Volume 1, AFOS System.

2.    AOD 12.00 Operator Procedures and AOD 12.00 System Management Procedures (will be
        integrated into AFOS Handbook 2 and Handbook 5 updates).

3.    Pocket Guide of AFOS Commands and RDOS CLI Users Manual.

4.    AFOS Handbook 5, Reference Handbook; Volume 2, Fault Recognition and Recovery.

5.    AFOS Handbook 5, Reference Handbook; Volume 3, Station Operations.

6.    AFOS Handbook 2, Operator's Handbook; Volume 3, Auxiliary/Backup Terminal.

7.    AFOS Handbook 4, Network Operations.

ITEM       TIME	REFERENCE ALLOWED	DATE NUMBER	COMPLETED
26. Describe entering DCM and DPCM degraded modes, and returning to dual mode.	2 min	1
27. Describe placing node in bypass and returning to RDC.	1 min.	2
28. Describe running MODIFY in degraded mode.	1 min	1
29. On the SWIS keyboard and on AFOS ADM:  .  Go from full sector to subsector within a file.  .  Step forward and backward.  .  Display the newest image.  .  Display the incoming full or subsector.  .  Activate an auto-loop.	3 min	3,4
30. Explain the procedure and use of SWIS RESET.	1 min.	3

AVERAGE TIME, WSFO proficiency check:

60 min.

References:

1.    AOD 12.00 Operator Procedures and AOD 12.00 System Management Procedures (will be integrated into AFOS Handbook 2 and AFOS Handbook 5 updates).

2.    AFOS Handbook 4, Network Operations.

3.    AFOS Handbook 2, Operator Handbook; Volume 6, Satellite Weather Information System (SWIS).

4.    SWIS Operating Commands from ADM (AOD 12.00) - laminated card

ITEM

TIME

DATE

ALLOWED

COMPLETED

26. Sign on NAS 9000.	1 min.
27. Sign off NAS 9000; halt Hamlet.	1 min
28. Successfully submit a job to the NOAA Central Computer Facility.	2 min.
29. Make a printed list of a card deck (if used) and a local disk file.	2 min.

AVERAGE TIME, RFC proficiency check:

58 min.

Reference:

    RJE Users' Manual

ITEM	TIME ALLOWED	REFERENCE NUMBER	DATE COMPLETED
1. Power down unit.	2 min.	1
2. Initialize from power-off.	2 min.	1
3. Describe DB$VERIFY activation and describe conditions which require its use. If DB$VERIFY is started, it must run to completion.	1 min.	1
*4. Start RTA software.	1 min	1
*5. Display CIL's and PIL's.	1 min.	1
*6. Retrieve products, use product display options, change screen to accumulate mode, print a product.	3 min.	1
*7. Compose/edit a test (or real) product.	2 min.	1
*8. Manually transmit a test (or real) product.	1 min.	1
*9. Issue a request/reply; discuss request/reply use and limitations.	1 min.	1
10. Describe procedure for designating a special observation.	1 min.	2
*11. Set and remove an alarm or alert; display Alarm/Alert queue.	2 min.	1
12. Verify communication status.	1 min	1

AVERAGE TIME, Synchronous RTA proficiency check:

18 min

NOTE:    Test products should not normally be transmitted and shall consist solely of the words
                "manual - PLEASE DISREGARD."

ITEM	TIME ALLOWED	REFERENCE NUMBER	DATE COMPLETED
13. Power down and reinitialize ABT unit.	2 min.	3
14. Compose a test (or real) product on ABT (normal mode) and transmit it to host RTA.	3 min.	3
15. Request a product on ABT with reply routed to ABT printer, discuss request/reply use and limitations.	1 min.	3
16. Demonstrate configuring ABT at remote unit for dedicated backup.	8 min.	3
17. Describe configuring ABT as remote remote unit for dial backup.	3 min.	3

AVERAGE TIME, Synchronous RTA with backup proficiency check:

35 min.

References:

1.    AFOS Handbook 2, Operator's Handbook; Volume 2, Remote Terminals to AFOS; Part 1, Synchronous Remote Terminals to AFOS.

2.    AOD 12.00 Operator Procedures (will be integrated into AFOS Handbook 2 and Handbook 5 updates).

3.    AFOS Handbook 2, Operator's Handbook, Volume 4, Remote Terminals to AFOS (RTA)
       Auxiliary/Backup Terminal (ABT).

NOTE:    Test products should not normally be transmitted and shall consist solely of the words "manual - PLEASE DISREGARD."

ITEM	TIME ALLOWED	DATE COMPLETED
1. Power down unit. 2 min.
2. Initialize from power-off.	2 min
3. Verify communication status.	1 min.
*4. Print products.	1 min.
*5. Compose/edit a test (or real) product.	2 min.
*6. Manually transmit a test (or real) product.	1 min.
*7. Issue a request/reply; discuss request/reply use and limitations.	1 min.

AVERAGE TIME, Asynchronous RTA proficiency check:

10 min.

Reference:

    AFOS Handbook 2, Operator's Handbook; Volume 2, Remote Terminals to AFOS; Part 2,
    IBM PC-XT Asynchronous Remote Terminals to AFOS.

NOTE:    Test products should not normally be transmitted and shall consist solely of the words
                "manual - PLEASE DISREGARD."

All SFP/SPL's shall complete this SWIS Proficiency Checklist within 3 months of their SWIS commissioning. The checklist should be administered after completion of the workbook.

All SWIS operators are encouraged to complete items 1-24 of the checklist. The checklist should be administered and the workbook graded by the SFP/SPL. Dependent upon regional policy, completion of the SWIS Checklist may be required of all SWIS operators.

NAME OF SWIS OPERATOR                                                                       

PERSON CERTIFYING COMPLETION OF PROFICIENCY CHECKLIST