Hello everyone!

Things have been moving very fast for me in DC.  The past several months I have focused on writing and communication intensive tasks.  I have several accomplishments to let you in on and then I will share with you what I have learned about phasing out of Knauss and progressing into the next phase of my career. I am at the half-way point of my fellowship and am concerned with what comes next?

 I have been involved in the planning, programming, budgeting, and execution system for the nation’s fisheries management program.  Through this process I have been able to impact future projects in NOAA. The system is similar to the proposal writing process: identify the need and goal, design appropriate projects, and request resources for your program and team members.  The better the business case, the more likely your proposal will gain traction. The process moves up the food chain from the program, to NOAA, to the Department of Commerce, to the President, and then finally to Congress.  There are many hurdles a proposal needs to navigate before it is ‘executed’ in a budget.  In my case I am working on 2011-15 out years.  I have seen several of my projects move forward in the process but there are several years and to go before they are realized.  I have had the opportunity to meet with other offices to coordinate projects; teamwork is the key.  The perspective I have been seeking during this fellowship is clearly linked to budget process.  From headquarters to each region the funding starts here.

I have participated in the public release of the 2007 Status of US Fisheries Report to Congress.  As a coauthor of this document I was able to follow the document through the public rollout process.  I participated in developing the language and figures within the document but additionally I was involved in selecting the cover, working with the printers, and distribution of the document.  I accompanied Acting Administrator of NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service, Jim Balsiger, to the House and Senate Office Buildings to brief Congress prior to the report’s public release.  I participated in press conferences and even fielded several telephone interviews myself with National Reporters including AP and Christian Science monitor.  It was nice to be considered an expert on the report and to represent NMFS.  I found this process satisfying.  We had worked as a team to release a document that created much interest. 

I am beginning to write Federal Register Notices.  These notices are NMFS way of communicating openly with the public about proposed rules, final rules, guidance for councils, stock status changes, and other actions.  The documents I am working on can officially start the clock for management action ‘timelines’ at the regional council level and in some cases are mandated by acts of congress.  The verbiage of these documents is both precise and concise.  Several levels of clearance are needed to clear a notice for publication including edits by lawyers and regulatory experts.  I am eager to gain this writing experience and to continue learning about the management decision making process. 

August 1^st is the official start of job hunting season for Knauss Fellows.  I have heard of one fellow who has already landed a job.  It is not uncommon for fellows to leave prior to the Jan. 31^st end of the fellowship.  Sea Grant promotes the August 1^st job hunting season and will not consider you a Fellow if you leave before you have completed 6 months of the fellowship.  This fellowship has helped me to narrow down my career path.  I have gained unbelievable perspective on fisheries and fisheries management.  I cannot wait to see where this next 6 months of this experience takes me.  I hope that when I return to Alaska I can apply this knowledge and these skills to be effective in managing the fisheries resources. 

I have been getting questions about the fellowship offline and that is great and often (for confidentiality) the best way.  I would like to see this blog become more interactive. Please ask me questions in the comments section and I will respond faster than Speedy Gonzales!

Q1.  Public transportation in D.C.?  Do I need to live downtown to partake in social events?  To car or not to car?

I mentioned in my earlier blog that waiting until after placement week to find an apartment was a good idea.  While it is true that you can get placed in Maryland, Virginia, or DC, one can live downtown and use the METRO to easily reach any of these places.  The METRO is super reliable, clean, and safe.  Most lines run late during the week and on the weekends into the wee hours of the morning.  The Metro facilitates safe and fun social outings as well as commuter transportation.  Some drawbacks, living downtown is spendy and can be unsafe.  DC tends to have neighborhoods that are nice by day and shady by night.  Be sure to checkout potential neighborhoods at night before you settle on an apartment.

The U street area is singles/party central.  The U street is safe but if you walk to many blocks to either side it is scary.  There is a great view of the mall from that area.  The fellows that had there their apartment robbed in broad daylight, that apartment is close to U street.  Living on the edges of the DC area is nice as well.  The metro sprawls in all directions.  The ends of the individual lines have less traffic so fewer trains and truncated schedules. 

As for a car, I do not have one and I depend on public transportation and a bike.  From what I have heard this place is a tax nightmare.  Virginia and Maryland have different rules on cars.  DC demands that you change your plates immediately.  I would avoid a car at all costs.

Q2.   Can I split fellowship between Legislative and Executive?

I am trying to.  I will have to keep you updated.  I have a Legislative experience tentatively planned for the Fall.  Seems doable, after all the is fellowship is what you make of it: selling yourself, your pet projects, ect.  Go big!

Q3.  Is craigslist a good site to shop for housing? 

Craigslist has worked for many fellows and it is free.  I tried roommates.com and that was more active in seeking-out roommates and apartments by neighborhood.  I think it cost like $20 for a month.

Q4.  Is living alone and option?

Living alone is an option but it does drain your already limited fellowship resources.  I think it is a good idea to look around for a single place but after placement week you might change your mind.  Imagine 50 people in the same boat as you looking for the same things as you: safe, cheap, and close housing.  It is often much more economical to share a place. 

Q5.  How much does a fellow really make?

Well the fellowship is split up between a stipend and health insurance/travel money.  Placement week does not come out of your fellowship award, headquarters pays that back.  The 2009 Fellows will be awarded more than I currently am so for specifics you should search the Knauss Web Page for the 2009 budget. Here is the link to the 2009 budget info:

http://www.seagrant.noaa.gov/Knauss/FY09%20CLass/Dean_John_A_Knauss_Marine_Policy_Fellowship.pdf

 Basically you will be the lowest paid person in your office.

I would check with Michele and Gayle at the AK Sea Grant office, they are a great help.

Please keep those questions coming!

Seanbob

Congratulations to the Alaska SeaGrant Knauss Marine Policy Fellows of 2009: Celeste Leroux, Erin Steiner, and Mary Bozza!!

I cannot wait to see you all at placement week this December.  I am sure each of you is very excited. Perhaps now that you are ‘in’ many new questions and concerns are on your mind.  The wheres, hows, whys and whos are blanks that I could probably help you with.  Do not hesitate to contact me with any questions. 

The logistics of the move/packing can be daunting.  The fellows in my class seem to have approached this a variety of ways ranging from only a backpack and a bike to an extended U-Haul truck (full) + Motorcycle+ 2 bike+ sports car . . . .Some fellows are moving to DC for good.  I have a good feel for the safe neighborhoods and party zones.  What I do not know first hand I can find out.  Fellows pay around 900-1000 per month to share a place and over 1000 to live alone.  Of course settling on a place to live should wait until after placement week.  Fellowship opportunities are spread throughout the beltway and one would not want to limit themselves. 

It has been around 100f here in DC and it is only June.  In Jan/Feb we had several nasty windy ice stormy days so you should bring clothing for all weather.

 I am slowly learning how dangerous DC can be.  It is being improved and is safer than it was 10 years ago (so I heard).  Run down parts of town are being redeveloped and these areas are generally safe but crime is just underneath the surface.  One fellow I know had her wallet stolen at a Congressional reception.  At last week’s Congressional Ocean Week celebration, there were 100 reports of stolen goods at a single reception.  Two of the current fellows had their apartment broken into while they were at work and had laptops/computers (Dissertations) stolen. 

But trust me the fellowship is worth enduring the downsides to DC.

In addition to the fellowship opportunities DC has much to offer culturally that Alaska lacks.  I read that the DC area is second only to NYC in variety of ethnic cuisine.  The museums are incredible and most of them are free.  I would hit all the museums you can in the winter; the mall is a zoo starting around March and ending . . . well certainly by December!

I am beginning to ramble but get in touch with me for specifics.  I will let you in on the secrets of placement week.

Congratulations and welcome to the club!

Seanbob

          Lucky number 13 is where you will find me.  I work in building SSMC3, cube #13437, the thirteenth floor.  This federal building is much more ascetically pleasing than the ‘borg-ship’ in Juneau.  Instead of a dozen bronze pelicans plunging into the cement, here in Silver Spring Maryland, the entrance is adorned with a huge bronze hand holding, you guess it -nothing.  Yet the sculpture is fitting – one could never find a pelican in Alaska – but here in Silver Spring there are plenty of empty hands. 

NOAA has assimilated four tall buildings to create one headquarters for all regions.  This nerve-center complex is conveniently connected to both the metro and the commuter rail, very efficient.  SSMC3 is just a fancy way to say Silver Spring Metro Center building 3.  The government has to have its acronyms. It seems the more times I pass the ‘bronze hand’ emerging from the concrete, the more fluent I become in NOAA jargon.  What can I say ‘resistance is “futile”. 

An average week in the ‘cube’ consists of several meetings and plenty of work.  I attend meetings that outline the priorities of each department within the consortium. It is interesting to follow projects and note how priorities change.  I attend teleconferences from each of the regional management councils prior to their meetings.  I gain insight into the hot issues and management topics around the country and Western Pacific territories.  Our department, sustainable fisheries, meets weekly to discuss our projects and weekly achievements.  New goals are discussed and targets set.  I hear about the outcomes of meetings and trips. 

I have my own projects.  I am currently wrapping up a new section to the annual report to congress on the status of US fishing stocks.  This has brought me in contact with regional NOAA officials.  I have begun training on the NMFS strategic planning for 2011-2015.  I organize video conference meetings between headquarters and each region.  I will gain a greater understanding of what each department in NMFS does and what they will be doing in the future.

My Knauss Fellowship priorities occupy much of my work week, perhaps 20%.  Besides the happy hour meetings, training/workshop sessions, and hearings on Capitol Hill, I have helped plan the Knauss class trip.  Several proposals were created to tour the marine areas and Sea Grant offices of states like California, Louisiana, Florida, and Maine.  I am working on the California proposal.  A week in Northern California in sounds nicer than a week in the Deep South in August (Maine would be nice).

So even though the hand is empty, my days are filled and busy.  All kidding aside, my colleagues here at NOAA are interesting vibrant folk, always willing to lend a helping hand. 

How are things in Alaska?  The cherry trees are blooming here; pink-confetti drifts everywhere . . .