PDF versionJob Summary
This position is located in the National Weather Service (NWS), National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP), Storm Prediction Center (SPC), with two vacancies in Norman, OK.
Major Duties
The working title of this position Mesoscale Assistant, Fire Weather Forecaster. As a Mesoscale Assistant, Fire Weather Forecaster, you will be performing the following duties:
- Perform comprehensive analyses of the current and forecast state of the atmosphere over the contiguous U.S. for the potential for severe thunderstorms, hazardous winter weather, and fire weather conditions using surface and upper-air weather observations, Doppler radar, and satellite imagery, and numerical weather model guidance.
- Develop and issue text-based or graphical Thunderstorm Outlooks, Fire Weather Outlooks out to eight days in the future, and Mesoscale Convective Discussions for the contiguous U.S., for severe thunderstorms/tornadoes, and hazardous short-term winter weather conditions.
- Participate in studies, developmental projects, focal point duties, and testing of new meteorological products to advance the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) mission.
- Collaborate internally with other SPC meteorologists, and externally with local National Weather Service (NWS) forecast offices, as needed to ensure forecast product consistency.
The duties described are at the full performance level of the GS-12 grade; the duties at the GS-07, GS-09, and 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
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.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-07 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-05in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following: Collecting hydro-meteorological data to monitor weather conditions. OR
EDUCATION:One full year of graduate-level education in Meteorology, Atmospheric Science or in a directly related field.
OR
SUPERIOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT:Demonstrated by a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with one of the following.NOTEIt is your responsibility to ensure your application clearly states how you meet one of the provisions below: A grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher based on a 4.0 scale for all completed undergraduate courses, or those completed in the last 2 full years of undergraduate study;
A GPA of 3.5 or higher based on a 4.0 scale for required courses completed in a major field of study, or those courses completed in a major field of study during the last two years of undergraduate study;
Class standing of upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision of the college;
Membership in a national Scholastic Honor Society certified by the Association of College honor Societies, excluding freshman honor societies. OR
COMBINATION:A combination of related graduate-level education and specialized experience.
To qualify at the GS-09 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-07in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following: Assisting in developing forecasts for weather conditions; and
Using state-of-the-art hydro-meteorological data to monitor weather conditions. EDUCATION:Master’s Degree or equivalent graduate degree in Meteorology, Atmospheric Science, or other related discipline or 2 years of progressively higher graduate level education leading to such a degree.
OR
COMBINATION:A combination of related graduate-level education and specialized experience.
NOTE: Only graduate education in excess of one year is qualifying for combination.
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-09in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following: Analyzing and assessing the current and forecast weather situations and weather trends for thunderstorms, fire weather, or short-term winter weather conditions; and
Participating in devising forecast products using a variety of meteorological tools. OR
EDUCATION:Ph.D. degree or equivalent doctoral degree in Meteorology, Atmospheric Science, or other related discipline or 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree.
OR
COMBINATION:A combination of related graduate-level education and specialized experience.
NOTE: Only education in excess of two years is qualifying at this level.
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-11in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following: Forecasting weather situations and weather trends for thunderstorms, fire weather, or short-term winter weather conditions;
Devising and formulating forecast products using a variety of meteorological tools; and
Providing advice and assistance on weather situations.
Pay Range
$42,053.00 - $96,978.00