January 21,1988                         W/OS014

TO: All Holders of Operations Manual

SUBJECT: Transmittal Memorandum for Operations Manual Issuance 88-2

1.    Material Transmitted:

WSOM Chapter B-61, Certification of Observers -- revised pages.

2.    Summary:

This chapter contains an extensive rewrite of the previous version. The following are the most significant changes:

Change in organization reflects recent Headquarters reorganization.

The Department of the Air Force, Headquarters Air Weather Service (MAC), assumed the responsibility for the weather observation programs and the certification/accreditation of civilian contract employees at explicit stations.

Observing Systems Branch (OSB) is responsible for keeping examinations current. If an examination is regraded because questions are inappropriate or no longer valid, program personnel in OSB should be made aware that changes are required.

3.    Effect on Other Instructions:

Replace Table of Contents and pages 3 through 6 with the attached to WSOM Chapter B-61, Issuance 83-9, dated May 12, 1983.

Richard E. Hallgren
Assistant Administrator
   for Weather Services

         U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
                                                      National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
                                                        NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
                                                        Silver Spring, Md. 20910

                                                        May l2, l983                 W/OTS21xl
TO:    All Holders of Operations Manual

SUBJECT:     Transmittal Memorandum for Operations Manual Issuance83-9

l.    Material Transmitted:

WSOM Chapter B-61, Certification of Observers.

2.    Summary:

This chapter contains an extensive rewrite of the previous version. The following are the most significant changes:

Adds the Weather Service Coordinator, Meteorological Training, FAA Academy, as the administrator of the tower visibility observation program for all FAA employees.

Expands on the examination procedures.

Establishes recency of experience standards.

Changes certificate accountability procedures.

Clarifies certification terms.

Requires prior approval before ROML's can be issued.

Revises the Certificate of Authority to take weather observations to agree with the new standards.

3.    Effect on Other Instructions:

Supersedes Chapter B-61, WSOM Issuance 79-4, dated April 30, 1979, and OML 12-81 dated November 6, 1981 (filed with B-61)

Richard E. Hallgren
Acting Assistant Administrator
   for Weather Services

Issue Date    Org. Code    NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE        Part     Chap.
1-21-88                                    Operations Manual

Table of Contents:

1. General

2. Applicability

    2.1 Exemptions

* 3. Program Responsibilities

4. Qualifications

    4.1 Vision Standards

        4.1.1 Eyesight Tests
        4.1.2 Substandard Vision

4.2 Demonstrated Job Proficiency
4.3 Examination Procedures

        4.3.1 General
        4.3.2 Certification Examinations
    * 4.3.3 Failure to Pass Examination

5. Certification

6. Temporary Certification

7. Recency of Experience

    7.1 Exceptions

8. Certification Terms

    8.1 Lapsed Certificate
    8.2 Canceled Certificates
    8.3 Validation

9. Certificate Accountability

    9.1 Contents
    9.2 Certificate Numbers
    9.3 Accountability Changes

        9.3.1 Transfers
        9.3.2 Retirements, Resignations, and Dismissals
        9.3.3 Record of   Canceled Certificates

10. FAA Approval

11. Supplements

Exhibits:

B-61-1: Request for Observer's Examination or Certification (WS Form B-25)

B-61-2: Certificate of Authority to Take Weather Observations (WS Form B-61-1)

B-61-3: Certificate of Training
 

1.    General. This chapter prescribes the standards assigns the responsibilities, and delegates the authority for the National Weather Service's (NWS) observer certification program. Certification is the means employed by the NWS to officially sanction the surface, aviation, radar, or upper air weather observations used in:

the preparation of forecasts and warnings, and

the support of aviation operations.

2.    Applicability. All individuals who take or validate officially sanctioned surface, aviation, visibility only, radar, or upper air observations must possess a valid Certificate of Authority. In the above sense, validate means a certified observer, supervising an observer trainee, assumes full responsibility for the validity of the observation taken by the trainee.

2.1    Exemptions. Certificates of Authority are not required for the following classes of weather observations although the NWS also considers the observations as official.

Weather observations taken by military personnel certified by their service.

Cooperative program observations, i.e., river, rainfall, climatological observations, and severe storm reporting networks.

Coastal marine and local warning.

Cooperative merchant ships.

Pilot reports of  in-flight weather conditions.

3. Program Responsibilities.

National Weather Service Headquarters (WSH). Observing Systems Branch establishes certification standards, provides training materials, and develops certification examinations.

NWS Regions and Chief of Overseas Operations. The Regional Directors and the Chief of Overseas Operations shall administer the certification program in their area, issue Certificates of Authority to take official weather observations, and maintain accountability for each certificate issued.

The NWS Coordinator of Meteorological Training, Federal Aviation Administration Academy (FAA).   The individual assigned to this position shall administer the tower visibility observation certification program for all FAA employees and maintain accountability for each certificate issued.

* d. The Alaska Region. The Department of the Air Force, Headquarters Air Weather Service (MAC), is responsible for the weather observation programs and the certification/ accreditation of civilian contract employees to take weather observations at the following Air Force Stations: 

e.Field Supervisors. Officials in charge of weather observation stations or facilities taking weather observations determine individual observer training needs, observer proficiency, and ensure that only certified observers possessing a valid Certificate of Authority take or validate official weather observations.

4.    Qualifications. To become certified, an individual must meet the vision standards, demonstrate job proficiency, and attain a passing score on a written certification exam for each type of weather observation program, i.e., a radar observer who also takes surface weather observations must be certified for both the radar and the surface observation programs.

4.1    Vision Standards. All certified observers and all candidates for certification must have recent medical proof or be tested to ensure that they have:

distant vision of not less than 20/30 (Snellen) in the better eye, corrected if necessary, and

near vision, corrected if necessary, that meets the Jaeger #2 standard.

4.1.1 Eyesight Tests. If administered, visual acuity will be determined as follows:

The Snellen tests will be made using the appropriate section of a 24" x 11" Snellen Test Chart. It should be adequately illuminated. The chart should be 20 feet from the person being tested. Each eye should be examined separately while the other is covered with an opaque shield. The row of smallest letters read by the person determines the denominator of the fraction used to grade visual acuity. The numerator is always 20; e.g., 20/20, 20/30, 20/40. If no more than two letters are missed in a line, the visual acuity will be graded as of that line.

The Jaeger tests will be made with the specimen test of Jaeger #2 printed on Standard Form 78, Civil Service Commission "Certification of Medical Examination." Observers will be regarded as passing this test if they can read the text under conditions most favorable to them.

4.1.2    Substandard Vision. Individuals not meeting the above standards shall furnish a statement from a physician, oculist, or optometrist that their visual acuity has been corrected to meet the standards before they are assigned to official weather observational duties. If an observer must wear corrective lenses to meet the minimum eyesight standards, he must also wear corrective lenses while taking official observations.

4.2    Demonstrated Job Proficiency. Before certification, each individual shall demonstrate to the satisfaction of his/her field supervisor, the ability to take, record, encode, and disseminate timely and accurate weather observations in accordance with the practices and procedures established in the appropriate Federal Meteorological Handbooks.  Additionally, to be certified to take weather radar observations, an observer must demonstrate knowledge/proficiency in:

weather radar fundamentals,

meteorological interpretation of the echoes,

regional weather problems and local operations, and

functional skills (operation of radar and associated equipment).

4.3    Examination Procedures.

4.3.1    General. Unless an individual demonstrates job proficiency, no attempt should be made to administer the certification exam until adequate training is accomplished. Training may be given in classes, on the job with a certified observer, or by self-study using training material provided by the NWS or the FAA Academy. Field supervisors should request the appropriate examination from the NWS regional headquarters. In the case of visibility-only examinations, the request should be made to the Weather Service Coordinator of Meteorological Training, FAA Academy. The request may be by WS Form B-25, "Request for Observer's Examination or Certification," (exhibit B-61-1) or by memorandum.

4.3.2    Certification Examinations. Precautions should be taken to ensure the security of the certification examination. No portion of the examination shall be copied without prior approval of WSH or FAA Academy. All examinations are to be taken closed book and field supervisors should designate responsible persons as proctors. Although there is no time limit, exams should be completed at one sitting. Question and answer sheets, when mailed, are to be sent in two envelopes. The inner envelope is to be marked "FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY . " The appropriate NWS region or the Weather Service Coordinator, FAA Academy, in case of tower visibility examinations will grade the exams. A passing grade of at least 70 percent is required for weather radar and 80 percent for all other observing programs,

* 4.3.3     Failure to Pass Examination. If an observer fails to make a passing grade, another certification examination may be given to the observer after a reasonable period, but not less than 2 weeks, of additional training and instruction. If an observer holding a valid certificate is reexamined and fails, the validity of the observer's certificate will be suspended until the observer has made a passing grade on a subsequent certification examination. If regrading of an examination is appropriate, the supervisor of the grading official will review certification examinations that are regraded because of clerical errors. Any requests for grade changes due to inappropriate test questions will be forwarded through the Regional Director to the appropriate national headquarters program office.

5.    Certification. NWS Regional Directors or a designated representative, the Chief of Overseas Operations, or the Weather Service Coordinator of Meteorological Training, FAA Academy, shall certify all observers who meet the qualifications. WS Form B-61-1, "Certificate of Authority to take Weather Observations," (exhibit B-61-2) or FAA Academy AC Form 3000-36, "Certificate of Training and Certificate of Authority," (exhibit B-61-3) for visibility observations shall be issued to those persons authorized to take weather observations. The field supervisor shall keep all certificates readily available for inspection.

6.    Temporary Certification. If it is necessary for an observer to take official weather observations before a certification examination can be taken or a certificate issued, the field supervisor should contact the issuing authority for approval. The issuing authority may grant observers temporary authority to take weather observations under unusual situations not to exceed 60 days. Immediate steps should then be taken to formally certify observers in this category before the 60-day expiration period.

7.    Recency of Experience. Field supervisors are responsible for ensuring certificated observers maintain proficiency in their assigned observing duties. Additionally, field supervisors shall ensure that each certificated observer demonstrates recency of experience in his/her assigned observing duties in accordance with the standards listed below. If these standards are not met, the observer's certificate shall lapse. An observer with a lapsed certificate cannot take official weather observations. Further, a certificate lapsed for 90 consecutive days is automatically canceled and should be returned to the issuing authority.

Basic Aviation, Limited Aviation, and Synoptic Surface Weather Observations.  An observer must take, encode, and record on the official station log at least one complete weather observation every 60 days.

Supplementary Aviation Weather Observations. An observer must take, encode, and record on the official station log at least five complete weather observations every 30 days.

Local Warning Radar Observations. An observer must take, encode, and record on the station radar log an average of five complete radar observations monthly. Averaging is used in this instance to allow for extended periods of no echoes, annual or sick leave, etc.

Upper Air Radiosonde/Rawinsonde Observations. An observer must take and record on adiabatic charts or minicomputer systems at least one complete upper air observation every 120 days.

Tower Visibility Observations. All FAA personnel certificated for visibility observations must receive at least annual refresher training in visibility reporting procedures.

7.1 Exceptions. Whenever the following individuals' duties require the daily taking or daily use of weather observations or the supervision or training of personnel to take official weather observations, they are exempt from the recency of experience requirements as long as they continue in any of the duties for which they are certificated:

All NWS personnel except those requiring certification as local warning radar observers.

FAA Academy instructors.

FAA field supervisors and training officers.

8.    Certification Terms.

8.1    Lapsed Certificate. A temporary suspension of the certificate's validity caused by failure to revalidate the certificate upon transfer, observer's eyesight problems, failure to maintain recency of experience, or poor observer performance. A lapsed certificate may be reinstated by the issuing authority upon the recommendation of the field supervisor whenever the conditions causing the temporary suspension have been corrected. Document the reinstatement on the back of the certificate or in the FAA training record for tower visibility. An observer with a lapsed certificate may not take official weather observations.

8.2    Canceled Certificates. This action revokes the certificate's validity. Normally, certificates are canceled when:

Observers transfer from the jurisdiction of the issuing authority.

Observers terminate employment.

A certificate has lapsed for 90 consecutive days.

An observer fails to maintain the certification qualifications stated in this chapter.

8.3    Validation. These are administrative actions that are designed for use by the issuing authorities to ensure that only qualified individuals are assigned official observing duties. Types of validation actions are:

Validation upon transfer provides the field supervisor the means to evaluate the job proficiency of newly assigned observers and provides the issuing authority the means to account for certificates. Validation must be completed within 46 consecutive days of arrival at the new duty station, otherwise the certificate lapses.

Special validation ensures that observers maintain recency of experience. Whenever the issuing authority determines that a special review of new weather reporting procedures or refresher training is needed, they may institute a special validation action for personnel in their area. -This validation shall be documented as directed by the issuing authority.

Validation for multiple locations certifies relief observers, mobile observers, and special project observers for a group of stations or for all company locations. The certificate may be validated for several types of observations provided the observer is so qualified.

Annual validation applies to FAA personnel certificated to take tower visibility observations. Field supervisors shall provide at least annually refresher training in visibility procedures to all certificated observers. Records of annual validations shall be documented in the individual's training record.

9.    Certificate Accountability. NWS regions, Overseas Operations Division, and the FAA Academy shall establish a system to account for each certificate issued.

9.1 Contents. Minimally, the accountability system shall include:

    a.     Name of holder,

    b.     Type(s) of observation(s) for which certified,

    c.     Location(s) for which certified, and

    d.     Assigned certificate number.

    e.     Date of issue.

9.2    Certificate Numbers. Whenever possible, number the certificates consecutively using the block of numbers listed below. The FAA Academy may establish their own numbering system for Visibility-Only certificates if they so desire. Once a number has been used, do not repeat it on any subsequent certificates. If additional numbers are needed, prefix a "1" before the block assignment. Example: Eastern Region 110,000, 110, 001 .... 

9.3 Accountability Changes.

9.3.1 Transfers. Upon transfer to a new duty station, an observer's certificate lapses on the 46th day after arrival unless the certificate is validated by the issuing authority to include the new station. To avoid any delays in validation, certificates of transferees should either be hand carried or promptly mailed to the field supervisor of the new duty station. The field supervisor at the new duty station should ensure that the transferee meets the qualifications in section 4 of this chapter before requesting validation from the issuing authority serving his/her station. WS Form B-25, "Request for Observer's Examination or Certification," or memo may be used for this purpose. Retain a duplicate copy on station to serve as temporary certification authority until the action is completed. If the transfer involves different issuing authorities, i.e., transfer between NWS regions, a new certificate shall be issued and the old certificate shall be returned to the originator for cancellation.

    a. FAA Transfers to Tower Visibility Stations -- Certified Observers. If transferee holds a weather observer's certificate either tower, limited aviation reporting station (LAWRS), or basic surface, it must be reissued or validated to include the new station within 45 days of arrival.

Tower visibility is the responsibility of the transferee's new supervisor, who shall ensure that the transferee meets the qualifications in section 4, of this chapter before certifying the transferee as proficient to take tower visibility observations at the new station.

As transfers occur, certificates will be reissued on AC Form 3000-36 (specially annotated version). Thus, validation procedures differ administratively -- depending upon the form number printed on the transferee's certificate.

The differing procedures are detailed below:

    1.     If transferee's certificate is on a WS Form B-61-1, WS Form B-l9, or WB Form B-l9, the new supervisor shall forward the certificate to the Weather Coordinator, FAA Academy, for reissuance on AC Form 3000-36 via FAA Personnel Management Information System (PMIS).

Then, after transferee has demonstrated new station proficiency, the new supervisor will certify this fact by (1) signing and dating the specially-annotated AC Form 3000-36 (in course description,'remarks section), (2) entering this proficiency certification information in the appropriate section of employee's training file, (3) filing a validated copy of AC Form 3000-36 in employee's training file, and finally, (4) mailing a copy (or facsimile) of the validated AC Form 3000-36 to the Weather Coordinator, FAA Academy, for entry/update on MASTER LIST.

    2.     If transferee ALREADY holds a tower visibility certification on AC Form 3000-36, signed and dated (validated) by a previous supervisor, no reissuance is necessary, and the following procedures apply:

After new station proficiency is demonstrated, the new supervisor will (1) enter this information in transferee's training file in the appropriate section, and (2) notify Weather Coordinator, FAA Academy, by memo of transferee's validation at new station for update on MASTER LIST.

    b.    FAA Transfers to Tower Visibility Stations -- Non-certified Employees. There are two groups of non-certified employees: (1) trainees from the FAA Academy who passed the tower visibility certification examination in residence and (2) employees who need to pass the certification examination as part of the qualifications as listed in section 4 of this chapter.

    1.     For trainees who passed the visibility certification examination while at the FAA Academy, a specially annotated AC Form 3000-36 will arrive at the field facility along with other training records, via PMIS.

Like other transferees, the field supervisor is responsible for local training and checkout and for ensuring that the trainee meets all qualifications for tower visibility observations at the new station.

Once station proficiency is demonstrated by trainee, the supervisor will certify this fact by following the same procedures as stated in section 9.3.1.

    2.     For individuals who need to pass the certification examination, the supervisor should request the examination from Weather Coordinator, FAA Academy.

When the individual attains a passing score, a specially annotated AC Form 3000-36 is issued, via PMIS.

Therefore, procedures for proficiency and certification are the same as other employees, as described in section 9.3.1.

NOTE: If trainee did not pass the examination at the FAA Academy, the specially annotated AC Form 3000-36 will NOT be issued, and the procedure for certification is the same as other non-certified employees. The supervisor may verify trainee's visibility examination score by referring to the certificate of training which lists all phase and certification scores. This may be necessary to ascertain whether an AC form 3000-36 was issued and misplaced or whether one was NOT issued.

9.3.2    Retirements, Resignations, and Dismissals. Field supervisors shall annotate the certificates of observers who terminate employment with the reason and effective date and return the certificate to the issuing authority for cancellation.

9.3.3    Record of Canceled Certificates. Unless litigation is pending for which an observer's certificate may be required, the issuing authority shall retain a record of canceled certificates for 2 years, then destroy. In the event of litigation, the certificate or record shall be retained for an additional 2 years after the completion of the litigation, then destroyed.

10.    FAA Approval. This chapter has been reviewed and approved by the Federal Aviation Administration.

11.    Supplements. This chapter will not be supplemented by NWS regions unless the supplements are approved by Data Systems Division, WSH.
 

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WSOM Issuance
83-9    5-12-83