This position is located in the National Weather Service (NWS), Weather Forecast Office (WFO), with one vacancy Honolulu, HI. WFOs issue watches, warnings and advisories as well as forecasts for their local area, keeping the public informed of weather hazards and interacting with emergency management partners to prepare for and mitigate the impacts of weather and water hazards. They monitor multiple sources of observations, disseminate weather, water and climate-related information.
Qualification requirements in the vacancy announcements are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook, which contains federal qualification standards. This handbook is available on the Office of Personnel Management's website located at: https://www.opm.gov/policy. BASIC REQUIREMENTS: This position has a positive Education Requirement in addition to at least one year of Specialized Experience in order to be found minimally qualified. Transcripts must be submitted with your application package. You MUST meet the following requirements: To qualify for the 1340 series: EDUCATION: A. Degree: Meteorology, Atmospheric Science, or other natural science major that included: 1. At least 24 semester (36 quarter) hours of credit in meteorology/atmospheric science including a minimum of: Six semester hours of atmospheric dynamics and thermodynamics;* Six semester hours of analysis and prediction of weather systems (synoptic/mesoscale); Three semester hours of physical meteorology; and Two semester hours of remote sensing of the atmosphere and/or instrumentation. 2. Six semester hours of physics, with at least one course that includes laboratory sessions.* 3. Three semester hours of ordinary differential equations.* 4. At least nine semester hours of course work appropriate for a physical science major in any combination of three or more of the following: physical hydrology, statistics, chemistry, physical oceanography, physical climatology, radiative transfer, aeronomy, advanced thermodynamics, advanced electricity and magnetism, light and optics, and computer science. * There is a prerequisite or corequisite of calculus for course work in atmospheric dynamics and thermodynamics, physics, and differential equations. Calculus courses must be appropriate for a physical science major. OR B. Combination of education and experience: course work as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. -AND- SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. This experience need not have been in the federal government. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations e.g., professional; philanthropic, religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies; knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. To qualify for a GS-12 level: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements above, applicants must also possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following: Providing meteorological support for aviation operations, satellite meteorology, marine weather or hydrometeorology; and Disseminating weather information, including potentially hazardous weather conditions to officials. To qualify for a GS-13 level: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements above, applicants must also possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following: Analyzing and assessing current and forecast weather situations; Formulating and issuing weather forecasts, warnings, and advisories; and Providing weather forecasts or other technical materials to partners.
As a Meteorologist, you will perform the following duties: The working title for this position is General Forecaster. Serve as a General Forecaster to develop and issue scheduled and unscheduled meteorological products and services while providing advice, guidance, and warnings for local, state, and federal levels during severe and hazardous weather situations. Determine forecast guidance requirements and evaluate new technology or techniques for incorporation into an operating environment to improve forecast capabilities and work to resolve problems or concerns raised by internal or external partners or customers. Provide assistance in area-wide warning and preparedness programs and severe weather public awareness programs and conduct or participate in the conduct of local studies and developmental projects to find ways to improve services applying expertise in weather forecast operations. Integrate meteorological data and assess data sets to determine the need for and develop warnings, statements, or advisories to meet user needs. NOTE: These duties are described at the full performance level of the GS-13; the GS-12 is developmental leading to such performance. Learn more about NWS and its mission here: https://www.noaa.gov/www.noaa.gov/regional-collaboration-network/regional-videos. CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: The work is generally sedentary, although carrying of bulky projectors and other information materials is occasionally required, along with some light travel. During periods of threatening weather or rapidly changing weather conditions, the increase in workload and the necessity for rapid dissemination of weather warnings and updates requires periods of acute mental alertness and produces considerable mental stress. Adverse weather conditions often require the incumbent to work hours longer than the usual shift, adding to mental and physical stress.