Lead Meteorologist

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; Boulder (CO); Remote; USD 106,000 - 157,000; Full time

Job summary

NOAA, National Weather Service, Weather Forecast Office, seeks a Lead Meteorologist to oversee shift operations, ensure timely forecasts, warnings, and advisories for the public and emergency partners.

The role leads weather watches using Doppler radar, satellite data, and hydrometeorological analyses, serves as primary liaison to FAA, FEMA, and state/local agencies, and manages overtime and staffing on rotating schedules.

Qualifications

• Requires degree in meteorology or a closely related field.
• Official transcripts may be requested to verify education.
• Ability to coordinate with federal, state, and local agencies.

Responsibilities

• Serve as shift leader for quality and timeliness of all NWS forecast and service products, warnings, and advisories.
• Conduct weather watches using Doppler radar data, satellite imagery, and hydrometeorological analyses for warnings and forecasts.
• Serve as primary contact for FAA, FEMA, and emergency management officials on weather-related actions.

Skills

Lead meteorology

Weather forecasting

Emergency management liaison

Education

Bachelor's degree in meteorology

Tools

Doppler radar interpretation

Satellite imagery analysis

Job description

• Hiring Agency: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
• Department: Department of Commerce
• Location: Multiple Locations
• Schedule: Working on rotating shifts is routinely required with the WFO in operation 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

This position is located in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Weather Service (NWS), Weather Forecast Office (WFO), with vacancies in each listed location. WFOs issue warnings and forecasts for their local area, keeping the public informed of weather hazards and interacting with emergency management partners to mitigate the impacts of weather and water hazards.

Key Responsibilities

As a Lead Meteorologist, you will perform the following duties: Serve as the shift leader responsible for quality and timeliness of all National Weather Service (NWS) forecast and service products, warnings, and advisories prepared and issued by the Weather Forecast Office (WFO).

Conduct weather watches, which involve interpretation of Doppler radar data, satellite imagery, and the analysis of other hydrometeorological data for the preparation of all WFO warning, forecast and service products, including individual briefings.

Serve as the primary contact for other Federal, state, and local agencies such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and emergency management and law enforcement officials, over matters involving the initiation and implementation of immediate or emergency public health and safety measures based on NWS forecasts, warnings and watches.

Handle general office administrative matters which may occur on shift, including augmenting staff and approving overtime and leave. CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: Working on rotating shifts is routinely required with the WFO in operation 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The work is generally sedentary, although there is considerable moving about among various desks and equipment. Routine duties require meeting tight deadlines.

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 Lead Meteorologist to work hours longer than the usual shift, adding to mental and physical stress.

Requirements & Education

NOTE: Applicants currently occupying a 1340 series position in the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration and applying under competitive merit promotion procedures are covered under the \"Exception\" clause and DO NOT need to submit transcripts. Substitution of education for specialized experience is not applicable to this vacancy.

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.

Which agency is hiring for this position?

This position is with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce.

What is the salary for this position?

The posted pay range is $106437 – $156715/yr.

Is this position remote or telework eligible?

This position is eligible for telework.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-11-23.

What is the work schedule?

This is a Working on rotating shifts is routinely required with the WFO in operation 24 hours a day, seven days a week. position.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open under the 'Fed Transition' hiring path.