PDF versionJob Summary
*Applicants currently occupying a 1340 series position in the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and applying under competitive merit promotion procedures are covered under the "Exception" clause and DO NOT need to submit transcripts if you are only asking to be considered for the 1340 series. If you wish to be considered for the 1315 series, you must provide a copy of your transcripts. Please refer to the Requirements and Documents sections for additional information.
Major Duties
This position is located in the National Weather Service (NWS), River Forecast Centers (RFC) with one vacancy in Norton, MA.
As a Hydrometeorological Analysis and Support Forecaster, you will perform the following duties:
- Use operational hydrometeorological expertise in conjunction with advanced processing techniques, data sources, and equipment (including WSR-88D) to analyze and assimilate real-time hydrometeorological data.
- Produce forecast and guidance products for the RFC area of responsibility, including analyzing the potential for future flooding and the effects of observed precipitation and other hydrometeorological phenomena on river flows.
- Serve as a functional bridge between the RFC and operations at all Weather Forecast Offices (WFO) in the RFC area.
- Assimilate and quality control of hydrometeorological forecasts for input to the River Forecast Center (RFC) operational forecast system.
The duties described are at the full performance level of the GS-12 grade; the duties at the GS-11 are developmental leading to the GS-12 level.
Qualifications
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 requires applicants to meet a Basic Education Requirement in addition to at least one year of specialized experience in order to be found minimally qualified. You MUST meet one of the following basic education requirements:
EDUCATION:
To Qualify for the Meteorology, 1340 Series:
A. Degree:meteorology, atmospheric science, or other natural science major that included: At least 24 semester (36 quarter) hours of credit in meteorology/atmospheric science including a minimum of: a. Six semester hours of atmospheric dynamics and thermodynamics;* b. Six semester hours of analysis and prediction of weather systems (synoptic/mesoscale); c. Three semester hours of physical meteorology; and d. 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.ORB.Combination of education and experience:course work as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.*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
To Qualify for the Hydrology, 1315 Series:
A. Degree:physical or natural science, or engineering that included at least 30 semester hours in any combination of courses in hydrology, the physical sciences, geophysics, chemistry, engineering science, soils, mathematics, aquatic biology, atmospheric science, meteorology, geology, oceanography, or the management or conservation of water resources. The course work must have included at least 6 semester hours in calculus (including both differential and integral calculus), and at least 6 semester hours in physics. Calculus and physics, as described above, are requirements for all grade levels.
OR
B. Combination of education and experience-- course work as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
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 at the GS-11 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-09 in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following: Assisting with the analysis of precipitation data; and
Preparing hydrometeorological forecasts for issuance. OR
EDUCATION: 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education, leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in a related field.
OR
Combination of related education and experience.Note: Only graduate-level education in excess of two years can be used for a combination.
To qualify at the 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 in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following: Utilizing precipitation data to produce river forecasts; and
Formulating and issuing hydrometeorological forecasts.
Pay Range
$71,274.00 - $111,062.00