Welcome Tim Bardsley to the NWS Reno Team

NWS Reno is happy to announce that Tim Bardsley recently arrived as the new Senior Service Hydrologist (SSH). As SSH, Tim is the primary NWS contact for hydrologic decision support, forecast and warning services in Nevada and the eastern Sierra.  

SSH Tim Bardsley enjoying the great outdoors.
Tim first became interested in hydrology as a college student while exploring the rivers, mountains and canyons of the West. His undergraduate degree in civil/environmental engineering (University of Colorado at Boulder) and Master’s in hydrology (University of Nevada at Reno) give him a solid framework for hydrologic research. As a researcher at Niwot Ridge, CO, and as a hydrologist at the NRCS Utah Snow Survey Office, he conducted numerous hydrologic investigations as well as repairs and maintenance at well over one hundred hydrometeorological sites in four states, including extensive field work throughout Nevada and the Sierra Nevada.  

Tim's latest position was the Utah Liaison and Research Integration Specialist for the Western Water Assessment applied research program. While in this position, he was stationed at the NWS Colorado Basin River Forecast Center (CBRFC) in SLC, UT.  Among numerous other projects to support resource managers faced with climate variability and change, he used the NOAA Community Hydrologic Prediction System (CHPS) to model the potential impacts of climate change on local and regional water supplies.  He also convened workshops and networked with stakeholders to assess water supply system vulnerabilities and adaptive strategies to improve resilience in the face of climate change and variability.

What is the role of a Service Hydrologist?

There are 124 NWS Weather Forecast Offices and most employ a Service Hydrologist (SH). The SH is responsible for supporting all hydrology operations within a NWS Forecast Office Hydrologic Service Area (HSA). Hydrology operations includes collecting daily observations, monitoring river stages, and issuing river flood warnings or statements when needed.  The Senior Service Hydrologist (SSH) is responsible for more than one HSA.  

Other duties of a SH include:
  • Support development and application of the Community Hydrologic Prediction System (CHPS).
  • Utilize technical skills in information technology and data processing to improve hydrometeorological operations.
  • Conduct and facilitate research and develop training resources for the evolution of the NWS Hydrology Program.
  • Perform simulation testing and provide decision support.
Interested in a NWS Hydrology Position?

A useful reference for learning about NWS hydrology positions and qualification requirements is the NWS JetStream Online School for Weather and all NWS job opening are posted to The Federal Government Jobs Site



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