Department of the
Interior
Departmental
Manual
Effective Date: 1/31/08
Series: Organization
Part 155: Bureau of Reclamation
Chapter 4: Director, Technical Resources
Originating Office: Bureau of Reclamation
155 DM 4
4.1 Director,
Technical Resources. The Director provides direction,
management, and coordination of scientific research, engineering and technical services
related to water resources management and development; research programs which
develop new information and technologies that respond to and anticipate
mission-related needs and provide for innovative management, development, and
protection of water and related resources.
Oversees design, estimating, and construction activities for Reclamation
and is responsible for the quality assurance of the dam safety program; and oversees
the coordination of Reclamation’s power function with the Corps of Engineers,
Western Area Power Administration, Bonneville Power Administration, and the
Tennessee Valley Authority. The office
is located in
A. Senior
Advisor, Hydropower. Serves as the liaison on
intergovernmental initiatives associated with hydropower delivery. Formulates and coordinates the implementation
of corporate partnership efforts involving Reclamation’s power functions and
activities in support of Departmental goals and interagency objectives in
collaboration with the Corps of Engineers and the Tennessee Valley Authority. Represents Reclamation and coordinates with
the Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC), the North American
Electric Reliability Corporation, and the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission. Oversees and is responsible
for Reclamation’s reliability compliance pertaining to WECC standards. In addition to the
above, the Senior Advisor oversees the Manager,
Power Resources who performs the following:
(1) Formulates, coordinates, and provides
guidance and support associated with Reclamation’s power resources.
(2) Provides program management oversight for the Power Review of
Operation and Maintenance program and the Power Operations and Maintenance
Incident Evaluation and Reporting program.
(3) Facilitates development of Reclamation Manual Policy and Directives
and Standards for the Reclamation power program with regional power managers.
(4) Manages the development of technical standards, procedures, and
instructions.
(5) Develops power business practices and compiles best practices,
collects power program data and prepares benchmarking statistics, conducts
special engineering studies, and produces training materials and seminars
related to power operation and maintenance work.
B. Senior
Advisor, Design, Estimating, and Construction and Dam Safety Officer. Serves as the senior advisor to the Director,
Technical Resources focusing on oversight associated with design, cost estimating,
and construction activities and the auditing function of the dam safety program
within Reclamation. Responsible for
providing advice and increasing awareness of established requirements within
Reclamation as studies are being formulated or prepared.
C. Director,
(1) Chief, Civil Engineering
Services is responsible for structural and hydraulic analysis of
waterways and concrete dams. Provides
assistance in selecting sites for structures as well as consultation and
technical advice for pumping plants, power plants, fish facilities, wetlands,
roads, bridges, pipelines, tunnels, canals, and diversion structures. Provides construction management consultation
and engineering services such as cost estimates; planning and technical specifications;
and material engineering services, specializing in technologies such as
corrosion, coatings, plastics, concrete, soil, and rock. Manages Reclamation’s Value Engineering/Value
Analysis program.
(2) Chief, Environmental
Services is responsible for environmental studies and examination of the
interrelationships between the environment and regulated aquatic systems. Provides research and investigative services
for water treatment and desalting pilot plants and water quality chemical
analyses. Performs development, design,
and compilation of tabular and graphic spatial databases, water
resource-related economic and financial analysis, as well as social analysis
and public involvement on the impact of government actions.
(3) Chief, Geotechnical
Services is responsible for geotechnical studies, analyses, and designs
of embankment dams, structure foundations, and surface and underground
excavations including landslides.
Provides geologic services including development and interpretation of
exploration and laboratory testing programs; and specialized geological,
seismological, and geophysical investigations of regional earthquake hazards,
engineering geophysics and paleofloods.
Monitors dam performance and safety through the dam safety program.
(4) Chief, Infrastructure Services is
responsible for engineering services for mechanical and electrical equipment
and systems related to primary hydropower generation and water delivery
equipment. Provides complete electrical
and mechanical design, inspection, installation, testing analysis, and
operation and maintenance services for powerplants, pumping plants, dams, and
water conveyance structures. Provides
specialized operation and maintenance services such as diagnostics and repair
for generators, power transformers, switch gear, protective relaying, and
provides power system studies.
(5) Chief, Water Resources Services is responsible for applied
research, planning investigations and water operations support, and special
studies related to Reclamation’s water management needs. Provides technical support including design,
analysis, studies, and reviews in the areas of water supply availability,
dependability, requirements, use, and rights; water quality; flood hydrology
and hydrometeorology; sedimentation and river hydraulics; emergency management;
land suitability; and drainage and groundwater activities. Provides hydraulic analyses of structures and
fish protection facilities.
D. Director,
Research and Development. Responsible for identifying and
projecting needs to determine the direction of Reclamation’s research
program. Serves as consultant for
Reclamation research programs to offices throughout Reclamation and the
Department; plans, executes, and reports the results of the Science and Technology
and Desalination programs; and ensures interchange of scientific knowledge
between researchers and operational programs and compliance with the Federal
Technology Transfer Act and related intellectual property protection acts. Provides expert
technical, fiscal, legislative, and policy advice and assistance to the Technical
Resources Director and the Commissioner on the Science and Technology and
Desalination programs. In
addition to the above, the Director oversees the Research Program Coordinator who performs the following:
(1) Implements and coordinates the day-to-day operations of the
Reclamation-wide research and technology transfer programs.
(2) Provides program development and evaluation, budget development,
and financial management.
(3) Coordinates with Reclamation offices,
including the