Summary
This position is located in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Weather Service (NWS), Weather Forecast Offices (WFO) or National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP), with vacancies in each listed location. This announcement establishes a Standing Register to fill vacancies as they arise. The first cut-off is October 17, 2026, with additional cut-offs through the closing date. Apply now for current and future hiring cycles. See Qualifications for details.
Responsibilities
Because of the level of interest anticipated for these positions, you will be asked to select up to 20 duty locations for which you wish to receive consideration. You are encouraged to choose carefully and please select only those locations where you would be willing to accept a position. You may wish to consider such things as the cost for relocation, which will not be reimbursed by the agency, and the cost of living in the duty location(s) you select. You will be referred for only those locations you choose and for which you are within reach for consideration. If you are selected you may or may not receive offers for all locations you choose. As a Meteorologist, you will perform the following duties: Integrate, with occasional assistance, forecast weather, water, and climate hazards with associated societal risks to produce and communicate life-saving impact-based warnings, advisories, outlooks and general forecasts, providing initial review of data to ensure accuracy, precision, and timeliness. Support the development, production and delivery of interpretive services by providing, with occasional assistance, most Impact Based Decision Support Services (IDSS) that include tailored products, specialized notifications, remote briefings, and/or on-site deployments to a set of core partners that share a role in public safety and protection of property. Collect, assess, analyze, and integrate a complete set of environmental data in order to provide forecasts of critical elements at global, synoptic, and increasingly finer meso-scale levels. Assist in the collaboration and co-creation with colleagues while leveraging the talents of others to improve and optimize the day-to-day operational functions of the Weather Forecast Offices (WFOs)/National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP). NOTE: These duties are described at the GS-09 level; the GS-05 and GS-07 are developmental leading to such performance. All positions are developmental to the Full Performance Level (FPL) GS-12. CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: The work is performed in a typical office setting. Rotating shift work is required with the WFO and/or National Center in operation 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 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. Incumbent must maintain sharp mental focus during highly stressful events. Incumbent will be required to maintain a weather watch at the office when the general public is evacuating the area.
Qualifications
This Standing Register Job Announcement establishes an applicant pool under Direct Hire Authority 5 CFR 337.205(b) to fill full-time permanent positions at multiple NWS locations as vacancies occur. The announcement will remain open as stated in the vacancy notice. For consideration during the current review cycle, applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on October 17, 2026. Applications received after the cutoff may be considered during future review cycles. Applicants remain eligible for consideration for up to six months after the announcement closes or until they withdraw. Applicants who withdraw may reapply for future referrals. Eligible applicants may also be considered for additional vacancies as new certificates are issued. After the announcement closes, applicants may submit documentation of additional qualifications earned after the closing date to noaa.applicantinquiries@noaa.gov. This information may be considered for up to six months following the closing date. Incomplete resumes, unsupported questionnaire responses, or missing required documentation may result in an applicant being rated ineligible or not qualified. Applicants may update their application for future cutoff dates. Qualification requirements are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook. BASIC REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must meet the positive education requirement and specialized experience requirement (or applicable education substitution/combination). Transcripts must be submitted. To qualify for the 1340 Meteorology series: EDUCATION: A. Degree in Meteorology, Atmospheric Science, or another natural science major that includes: At least 24 semester (36 quarter) hours in meteorology/atmospheric science, including: 6 semester hours in atmospheric dynamics and thermodynamics 6 semester hours in analysis and prediction of weather systems (synoptic/mesoscale) 3 semester hours in physical meteorology 2 semester hours in remote sensing of the atmosphere and/or instrumentation 6 semester hours of physics, including at least one laboratory course. 3 semester hours of ordinary differential equations. 9 semester hours in appropriate physical science coursework, including 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, or computer science. Calculus coursework appropriate for a physical science major is required as a prerequisite or corequisite for atmospheric dynamics and thermodynamics, physics, and differential equations. OR B. Combination of education and experience that includes the required coursework above. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower federal grade level. Specialized experience is experience that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform the position duties. Qualifying experience may include paid or unpaid work, including volunteer service. GS-05: Applicants who meet the basic education requirement qualify at the GS-05 level. GS-07: In addition to the basic requirements, applicants must meet one of the following: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-05, including: Using current hydro-meteorological data to monitor conditions and assist with forecast preparation for weather, water, or climate hazards. OR EDUCATION: One full year of graduate-level education in Meteorology, Atmospheric Science, or a related field. OR SUPERIOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT: A bachelor's degree with one of the following: GPA of 3.0 or higher overall or during the final two years of undergraduate study; GPA of 3.5 or higher in major coursework or in major coursework completed during the final 2 years; Upper third ranking in graduating class; or Membership in a qualifying national scholastic honor society. OR COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: A combination of graduate education and specialized experience may satisfy requirements. GS-09: In addition to the basic requirements, applicants must meet one of the following: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-07, including: Using advanced hydro-meteorological data to monitor a geographic area and assist in preparing and issuing warnings, advisories, outlooks, and forecasts for weather, water, or climate hazards. OR EDUCATION: Master's degree or equivalent graduate degree in Meteorology, Atmospheric Science, or a related field, or two years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree. OR COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: A combination of qualifying graduate education and specialized experience may satisfy requirements. Only graduate education beyond the amount required for the next lower grade level may be combined with experience.
Requirements
Key Requirements: Applicants must be U.S. Citizens. Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by background investigation. More requirements are listed under Qualifications and Additional Information. Must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable (www.sss.gov) Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement. Additional Considerations: One year probationary period may be required. Payment of relocation expenses (PCS) is not authorized. This position requires Low Risk Security Clearance. Background investigation will be required. Continued employment is subject to applicant's successful completion of security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements will be grounds for termination. NOTE: A one year probationary period will be required under the Direct Hire Authority unless you are a current Department of Commerce (including NOAA) employee and are in the same line of work and with no more than a 30 day break in service. Any selections made under this notice will be processed as new appointments to the civil service. Therefore, Current Federal employees would be given new appointments to the civil service and may have to serve a new probationary period under CFR 315.802 (b). As a condition of employment for accepting this position, for those required to serve a 1-year probationary period, we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: Your performance and conduct; Needs and interests of the agency; Whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and Whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of then Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
Education
College Transcript: If you are qualifying based on education, submit a copy of your college transcript that lists college courses detailing each course by the number and department (i.e., Bio 101, Math 210, etc.), name of accredited institution, course title, number of credit hours and grade earned. You must submit evidence that any education completed in a foreign institution is equivalent to U.S. education standards with your resume. You may submit an unofficial copy of the transcript at the initial phase of the application process. If course content cannot be easily identified from the title of the course as listed on your transcript, you must submit an official course description from the college/university that reflects the content at the time the course was taken. Note: Your college transcript is used to verify successful completion of degree, or college course work. An official college transcript will be required before you can report to duty. Education completed in colleges or universities outside the United States may be used to meet the above requirements. You must provide acceptable documentation that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. For more information on how foreign education is evaluated, visit: OPM Foreign Education Evaluation.