***[Details of Developmental Assignment]{.underline}***

**1. Position Title** (if applicable):\
Special Assistant to the Director

**2. Level of Responsibility** (list pay plan, series and grade (e.g.,
GS-1301-15)):

> GS-1301-14 (ZP-1301-IV)

3.  **Host Office** (if in NOAA, start with Line/Staff Office down to
    the lowest level - e.g., Division or Branch):\
    NESDIS/ National Oceanographic Data Center

**4. Timeframe** (expected start date, duration, any known time
dependencies):

3-4 month assignments

During period May 2006 -- April 2007

(e.g.; May -- Aug 2006, Sep- Dec 2006, Jan-Apr 2007)

**5. Assignment Description** (include goals/objectives/expected
outcomes):

Three primary work areas:

-   Facilitate our 'Strategic Think Group' which is exploring new
    business models for the organization which includes the National
    Coastal Data Development Center, the NOAA Central Library, as well
    as the oceanographic data center.

-   Develop and coordinate NOAA Ocean Council positions on behalf of the
    Director, NODC, who serves as the NESDIS Representative to the
    Council

-   Assist Director in direction and oversight of PPBES efforts of NODC
    programs in Ecosystem and NOAA Leadership Goals, and provide
    recommendations to the Director based on NODC staff input and own
    analysis of materials and NOAA guidance documents.

**6. Potential Benefit to LCDP Participant** (e.g., leadership
competencies/skills to be used -- see list of OPM leadership
competencies at
[www.opm.gov/ses/define.html](http://www.opm.gov/ses/define.html)):

-   **Leading Change** -- Strategic Thinking, Vision, External
    Awareness: The 'Strategic Think Group' process is the all about
    focusing a vision for the organization and creating change inspired
    by a fresh look at customer needs and mission requirements. The LCDP
    participant's role will be to facilitate the exploration of business
    models and requirements by four NODC staff members, to bring in
    ideas from an external advisory group, and contribute own
    perspectives from prior work experiences.

-   **Results Driven** -- Customer Service, Problem Solving, Technical
    Credibility: Experience in the Strategic Think Group and with NOAA
    Ocean Council will deal with customer services issues on many levels
    -- from data and information services to NOAA staff and programs, to
    other federal programs, and to non-federal constituencies. The LCDP
    participant will have multiple opportunities to offer problem
    solutions in these contexts and have immediate feedback from senior
    leaders. Additionally, the experience in the NODC enterprise will
    build the participant's specific knowledge about data and
    information management tools and techniques necessary to implement
    the "integrated data environment" now being highlighted in NOAA
    program development guidance.

-   **Business Acumen --** Financial Management: Direct participation in
    the PPBES process at NODC will give practical experience in and
    exposure to the Planning and Programming phases under two NOAA Goals
    -- Ecosystems and Mission Support -- where NODC has over \$15M of
    current program activity.

7.  **Any other considerations, special requirements or comments**:

> Work will be performed at the NODC Offices in Silver Spring, MD.
> Travel for up to 5 consecutive business days may be required several
> times during this 12-month period, for example, to participate in site
> visits to non-NOAA data centers to gather comparative information on
> their methods of operation and business practices. This may include
> foreign travel.

***[Contact Information]{.underline}***

**8. Assignment Contact Person** (include email address):

Deputy Director, <Kurt.J.Schnebele@noaa.gov>

Director, <Zdenka.Willis@noaa.gov>

**9. Host Office Phone Number**:

> 301-713-3270

***Please send completed form to
[Shirley.A.Miller@noaa.gov]{.underline}. Thank you!***