The PacIOOS UI/UX Data and Product Developer is an exciting, full-time position that will lead all aspects of development, testing, and deployment of web-based interactive products, including design and coding of User Interface (UI), charts, maps, interactives, and dashboards for ocean, climate, and coastal hazards data.

The UI/UX Data and Product Developer will work closely with the PacIOOS data management group, funding partners, and stakeholders to design, develop, and code visualizations and web-based interactive user products of weather, ocean, climate, and coastal information to support ocean and coastal decision making across the Pacific Islands. Additionally, the successful candidate will ensure developed tools, products, and visualizations are responsive to user needs, compliant with Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS)-designated standards and best practices and integrate seamlessly with existing PacIOOS systems. To view the full job description, including details on Major Duties, Primary and Secondary Qualifications, and to apply online, visit the RCUH website, click on “Job Postings” and enter job ID 222177 (closing date April 8, 2022 HST).

The PacIOOS Data Systems Management Specialist is an exciting, full-time position that will oversee the technical operation of the data services run by PacIOOS. This includes administration of Linux- and Windows-based PacIOOS machines and data servers and system-level support of hardware and software used to distribute data and products to the public.

The Data Systems Management Specialist will keep up-to-date on emerging technologies and provide guidance on future data-serving needs including specification and purchasing of hardware and software, server upgrades, and system security serving needs. Additionally, the successful candidate will provide input to PacIOOS planning and reporting; participate in the administration, implementation, and development of the evolving PacIOOS data server system; and provide end-to-end maintenance of the PacIOOS server system. Actual work location may occasionally be off-campus. Visit the RCUH website, click on “Job Postings” and enter job ID 222179 to view the full job description, including details on Major Duties, Primary and Secondary Qualifications, and to apply online (closing date March 31, 2022 HST).

In early March, the Kalaeloa Barbers Point wave buoy was replaced with a newer model, the Datawell Directional Waverider DRW4, which also has an integrated current meter. Moored approximately 1.7 miles offshore of Kalaeloa Harbor on the leeward coast of Oʻahu, this buoy has been providing wave height, period and direction as well as temperature. The currents are challenging at this location, and with stakeholder input PacIOOS determined that this would be an important location for collecting current data. Information about waves and currents promotes safe transit entering and exiting the Kalaeloa Harbor, offers real-time data to recreational ocean users, and provides critical information for coastal hazard and low-lying inundation forecasts.

The Kalaeloa Barbers Point wave buoy is owned and managed by PacIOOS. Data are managed by the Coastal Data Information Program (CDIP) at Scripps Institution of Oceanography of the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). Long-term partnerships between PacIOOS, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), and CDIP enable data streaming into the PacIOOS website and PacIOOS Voyager.

The IOOS Association’s long-time Executive Director, Josie Quintrell, is retiring this fall, starting a leadership transition over the next few months. Josie’s decision to retire will bring to a close a remarkable career of 20 years in service to the IOOS Association and advancing national ocean observing strategies. The IOOS Association Board of Directors is leading a search for a new Executive Director. This is a tremendous opportunity to grow the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System.

Though it will be bittersweet to see Josie Quintrell retire later this year, IOOS is looking for the next Executive Director. To learn more about the position and how to apply, click here. Feel free to share with your networks! [Photo: Josie Quintrell]

During a three-day virtual meeting in March, representatives from all the IOOS Regional Associations came together to share successes and challenges, strategize and envision the future. They learned from each other about best practices, effective products, engagement, and explored how to foster better collaboration and information sharing. Additionally, the IOOS Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Fellow updated the group on activities of the fellowship and explored how related efforts can benefit IOOS and the regions. Lastly, the group discussed the New Blue Economy work NOAA is leading. During break out sessions the group discussed what IOOS and Regional Associations bring to the table in support of NOAA’s strategic and operational role in the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods and jobs, and ocean ecosystem health.

The U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System has been accepted as a mentor organization for Google's 2022 Summer of Code (GSoC). Established in 2005, GSoC invites students (18 years or older) to propose programming projects to vetted open source organizations. Accepted projects, to be announced in May, will begin in June following a short introductory period for the student to get to know their mentors and the organization they’re partnered with. GSoC students can make direct contributions and functionality enhancements to the software projects they work on, and may continue to stay involved as regular contributors after their GSoC projects are completed.

IOOS has suggested several possible areas for proposals that include topics in cloud storage, visualizing sonar data, ERDDAP, and more. Interested students can learn more on IOOS' organization page here and here.

More information on IOOS’ open source oceanographic data software can be found on the IOOS GitHub site.

The Economist Impact's World Ocean Initiative recently published an article, Value among the waves: The promise of ocean observation data for growth in the blue economy, which outlines the importance of consistent and reliable ocean observations in growing a vital sector of the global economy. PacIOOS Director Melissa Iwamoto was featured in the article and highlighted that “there is a lot of interest from communities to have more autonomy, more ownership of the instruments deployed in their waters.” Additionally, because ‘blue’ economy implies some measure of alignment between economic development and the health of the ocean, the article emphasized that ultimately, without ocean observation data, there would be no blue economy: ocean-based economic activity cannot take place without access to ocean observations of some kind. With regard to expanding ocean observations, Melissa pointed out that a stakeholder-first approach is essential, but understanding the economic benefits of ocean observations may help bolster support for entities like PacIOOS aiming to address user needs.

Voneric Boktok, who is a student in the Marine Science Certificate Program at the College of the Marshall Islands (CMI), is participating in an internship with Max Sudnovsky, UH Sea Grant Extension Specialist and Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) Liaison with PacIOOS. Voneric, who is from Mejit, Ailuk, Wotje, Arno and Majuro and whose Clan Name is Raur, wanted to gain experience that could increase his ability to work with agencies and organizations concerned with environmental management and stewardship in RMI. With funding provided through the Partnership for Advanced Marine and Environmental Science Training for Pacific Islanders, a National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Education program, Max developed a project for Voneric.

Voneric has been assisting with the maintenance and operation of the PacIOOS nearshore sensor in Majuro, located at Uliga Dock. He is currently researching water quality indicators to understand early indicators of potentially polluted run-off from storm drainage, sewage spills, and soil erosion from land-based waterways such as outflows that lead directly into the nearshore waters of Majuro.

Learning about this type of instrument and other PacIOOS efforts will allow him to give beneficial progress to his country, Voneric said. Working with the University of Hawai‘i Sea Grant and PacIOOS, Voneric hopes to share his experience with the RMI EPA Water Quality Division, the Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority Coastal Division, and his fellow classmates at CMI.

Outside of school, Voneric enjoys watching College and NBA basketball. Most importantly, Voneric likes to spend his time with his family. [Photo (l-r): Voneric Boktok and Max Sudnovsky]