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NOAA: Modernizing Environmental Data

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NOAA

Project Description

NOAA Office of Coastal Management: 7 Years as Business Analyst and Project Manager

Overview

For seven years, I served as a Business Analyst and Project Manager at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)’s Office of Coastal Management. During this time, I led and contributed to numerous projects focused on developing geospatial, training, and coastal management community applications. My work spanned a wide range of initiatives, from website renovations to the creation of specialized tools for marine spatial planning and coastal flood management.

Key Projects

Digital Coast and OCM Websites Renovation

Overview: Led the comprehensive renovation of the decade-old Digital Coast and OCM websites, involving hundreds of distinct content pages and a complex training management system.

Role and Responsibilities:

  • Coordinated with diverse product stakeholders
  • Managed the website rebuilding process
  • Updated hundreds of pages and product templates to meet modern web standards, usability principles, and brand guidelines.

Results and Impact:

  • Implemented responsive and contemporary design
  • Increased client satisfaction and site usage
  • Exceeded predetermined key performance indicators (KPIs)

Historical Hurricane Tracker

Overview: Spearheaded the redesign of the Historical Hurricane Tracker, the third most trafficked tool hosted by OCM.

Role and Responsibilities:

  • Advocated for a user-centric design approach
  • Oversaw the technical upgrade of the tool
  • Ensured smooth transition despite delays in requirement definition

Results and Impact:

  • Significantly improved user experience and accessibility
  • Introduced mobile-friendly features
  • Achieved a double-digit percentage increase in traffic

Marine Cadastre National Viewer

Overview: Created a new GIS-based web tool for exploring, analyzing, and downloading marine geospatial data.

Role and Responsibilities:

  • Coordinated requirements and data integration between NOAA and BOEM
  • Directed the development of a robust and flexible backend system

Results and Impact:

  • Supported offshore renewable energy development and marine conservation efforts
  • Provided a valuable resource for environmental scientists and policy makers

Adapting Stormwater Management for Coastal Floods

Overview: Developed practical guidelines and tools for adapting stormwater management strategies in coastal flood situations.

Role and Responsibilities:

  • Managed the overall development of guidelines and tools
  • Coordinated with multiple government agencies, NGOs, and stakeholders

Results and Impact:

  • Created actionable resources for effective stormwater management during coastal flooding
  • Enhanced coastal resilience

Elevation Inventory Revamp

Overview: Modernized the Elevation Inventory system, which processes and displays geospatial data related to land and sea elevation levels.

Role and Responsibilities:

  • Directed the discovery process
  • Led heavy refactoring efforts to enhance system reliability and performance

Results and Impact:

  • Improved system performance and reliability
  • Continued to serve as an essential tool for environmental efforts and climate change impact prediction.

 

Digital Coast Academy Training Management System

Overview: Developed and enhanced the Training Management System for the Digital Coast Academy, offering interactive courses for coastal managers and stakeholders.

Role and Responsibilities:

  • Led the new implementation from design to development
  • Coordinated with the outreach department for smooth transition and roll-out

Results and Impact:

  • Improved efficiency in management and scheduling
  • Resolved outstanding technical debt
  • Enhanced overall system performance and user experience

    CAMMP Grants Management Program

    Overview: Led the rescue and rework of the Coastal and Marine Management Program (CAMMP) system for managing $200 million in coastal zone project grants.

    Role and Responsibilities:

    • Served as senior business analyst and project manager
    • Navigated challenging vendor relations and technical hurdles
    • Transitioned the platform to Microsoft Azure’s cloud

    Results and Impact:

    • Successfully launched the reworked system
    • Significantly improved management and applicant efficiency

    Skills Demonstrated

    • Project Management
    • Business Analysis
    • Stakeholder Coordination
    • System Design and Implementation
    • User-Centric Design Advocacy
    • Technical Debt Resolution
    • Cloud Migration (Microsoft Azure)
    • GIS and Geospatial Data Management
    • Environmental and Coastal Management Expertise

    Conclusion

    My seven-year tenure at NOAA’s Office of Coastal Management was marked by significant contributions to a wide array of projects crucial for coastal management, environmental protection, and marine spatial planning. Through these projects, I consistently demonstrated my ability to lead complex initiatives, coordinate with diverse stakeholders, and deliver solutions that not only met but often exceeded expectations. The work done during this period has had lasting impacts on coastal management practices, environmental research capabilities, and public access to critical geospatial data.