Meteorologist

NOAA Office of Human Capital Services (OHCS) (DOC); Anchorage (AK); On-site; USD 41,000 - 91,000; Full time

Job summary

NOAA Office of Human Capital Services (OHCS) in the United States is establishing a Standing Register of Eligible Applicants for Meteorologist vacancies across multiple NOAA locations, including Anchorage, Alaska. Open to U.S. citizens with qualified education and specialized experience, the announcement supports a 24/7 weather enterprise with development to Full Performance.

Initial cut-off May 22, 2026. Positions cover forecast operations within NOAA/NWS, with travel and relocation allowances

Responsibilities

• Integrate forecast data to produce weather, water, and climate hazard forecasts and life‑saving warnings.
• Provide Impact Based Decision Support Services (IDSS) including tailored products and briefings for core public-safety partners.
• Collect and analyze environmental data to forecast elements at global to meso-scale levels.
• Collaborate with Weather Forecast Offices (WFOs) and National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) to improve day-to-day operations.

Job description

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 job announcement is intended to establish a Standing Register of Eligible Applicants to fill vacancies as they arise with an initial cut-off date of May 22, 2026. Please refer to the Qualifications section for additional information.
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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 job announcement is intended to establish a Standing Register of Eligible Applicants to fill vacancies as they arise with an initial cut-off date of May 22, 2026. Please refer to the Qualifications section for additional information.
Learn more about this agency

Overview

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Accepting applications

Open & closing dates
05/01/2026 to 09/30/2026

Salary

: $40,736 – $90,731 per year Salary ranges will vary based on the location. Please visit: OPM Salary Charts for specific salary information related to a specific location.

Pay scale & grade

GS 5 – 9

Locations

• 1 vacancy in the following locations:
• Anchorage, AK
• Fairbanks, AK
• Juneau, AK
• Pago Pago, AS
• San Joaquin, CA
• Key West, FL
• Barrigada, GU
• Honolulu, HI
• Dodge City, KS
• Goodland, KS
• Jackson, KY
• Lake Charles, LA
• Glasgow, MT
• Santa Teresa, NM
• Elko, NV
• Medford, OR
• Pendleton, OR
• Carolina, PR
• Brownsville, TX
• Midland, TX
• Riverton, WY

Remote job

No

Telework eligible

Yes—as determined by the agency policy.

Travel Required

Occasional travel – You may be expected to travel for this position.

Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

Appointment type

Permanent

Work schedule

Full-time

Service

• Competitive
• Promotion potential
• 12 – If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you may be non‑competitively promoted if you perform successfully and if recommended by management.
• Job family (Series)

Job family (Series)

• 1340 Meteorology

Supervisory status

No

Security clearance

Not Required

Drug test

No

Position sensitivity and risk

Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

Trust determination process

• Suitability/Fitness

Financial disclosure

No

Bargaining unit status

No

Announcement number

NWS-26-12947704-DHA

Control number

867259300

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)

Federal employees whose job, agency or department was eliminated and are eligible for priority over other applicants.

Clarification from the agency

Open to the Public and Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL).

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Duties

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.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

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.
• Payment of recruitment incentives may be 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;
• 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

Qualifications

This Standing Register Job Announcement establishes a list of eligible applicants under Direct Hire Authority 5 CFR 337.205(b) to be used to fill full‑time permanent positions across multiple NWS locations as hiring needs arise. Applications received by May 22, 2026 will receive first consideration. Thereafter, applications will be reviewed every 90 days or as needed, as additional vacancies occur.

Applications received after the initial cut‑off date will be considered as future vacancies become available. Applicants will receive consideration up to 6 months after the closing date of the announcement, or until the applicant withdraws their application from consideration. Applicants who withdraw from consideration may re‑establish active consideration by submitting a new application package for the next referral. Additionally, applicants may be considered on subsequent certificates as new vacancies become available and additional referrals are issued.

Once the announcement closes, you may submit documentation of any additional qualifications gained after the closing date to [e-mail]. Such information may be considered for up to six (6) months following the announcement’s closing date.

If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses you provided in your online questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation before the vacancy closes, you may be rated ‘ineligible’, or ‘not qualified’. If this occurs, you may update your application for a future cut‑off date.

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-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/

BASIC REQUIREMENTS: This position has a positive Education Requirement in addition to at least one year of Specialized Experience OR substitution of education for experience OR combination (if applicable) 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.

1. Six semester hours of physics, with at least one course that includes laboratory sessions. 3. Three semester hours of ordinary differential equations.

2. 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 at the GS‑05 level:++ Applicants that meet the Basic Education Requirement qualify at the GS‑05 level.

++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‑05 in the Federal service. Specializedexperience MUST include all of the following:

• Using state‑of‑the‑art hydro‑meteorological data to monitor current conditions and provide assistance in forecast preparation for weather, water or climate hazards.

OR

SUBSTITUTION OF 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. NOTE: It 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 OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: A combination of successfully completed graduate‑level education and specialized experience may be used to meet the total experience requirements.

++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‑07 in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following:

• Using state‑of‑the‑art hydro‑meteorological data to monitor a geographic area and assist in the preparation and issuance of warnings, advisories, outlooks and general forecasts for weather, water or climate hazards.

OR

SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION: Master’s or equivalent graduate degree in Meteorology, Atmospheric Science or in a directly related field or 2 years of progressively higher‑level graduate education leading to such a degree.

OR

COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: A combination of successfully completed graduate‑level education and specialized experience may be used to meet the total experience requirements. Note: Only graduate level education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be combined with experience.

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.

Additional information

ICTAP and CTAP Candidates: Eligible for selection priority if it is determined that the applicant is well qualified. Information about ICTAP eligibility is on OPM’s Career Transition Resources website at: Employee Guide to Career Transition.

ICTAP applicants MUST submit the following documents:

1. Copy of your RIF separation notice; notice of proposed removal for failure to relocate; notice of disability annuity termination; certification from your former agency that it cannot place you after your recovery from a compensable injury; or certification from the National Guard Bureau or Military Department that you are eligible for disability retirement;
2. Copy of your SF‑50 “Notification of Personnel Action” documenting your RIF separation, noting your positions, grade level, and duty location, and/or Agency certification of inability to place you through RPL, etc;
3. Copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating; and
4. Any documentation from your agency that shows your current promotion potential.

CTAP applicants MUST submit the following documents:

1. Copy of your specific RIF notice; notice of proposed removal for failure to relocate; a Certificate of Expected Separation (CES); or certification that you are in a surplus organization or occupation (this could be a position abolishment letter, a notice eligibility for discontinued service retirement, or similar notice).
2. Copy of your SF‑50 “Notification of Personnel Action”, noting current position, grade level, and duty location;
3. Copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating; and
4. Any documentation from your agency that shows your current promotion potential.

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case‑by‑case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. https://appsupport.usastaffing.gov/hc/en-us/sections/28980686389652-Reasonable-Accommodation-Information

NOAA participates in e‑Verify, an Internet‑based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that enables participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their newly hired employees.

The Federal Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full‑time, part‑time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

We will review your resume and supporting documentation to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for the position.

Additionally, you will be evaluated using the USAHire Assessment.

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

Veteran’s Preference does not apply to direct hire recruitment procedures.

To preview the announcement questionnaire, click here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12947704

Required documents

Required Documents

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS (may be: (1) uploaded directly from your desktop; or (2) uploaded directly from your USAJOBS stored attachments):

• ++Only resumes up to a total of two pages will be accepted++ . Applicants with resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. Reference the USAJobs Help Center for additional recommendations and instructions.
• You are encouraged to make your resume and profile searchable https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to/account/profile/searchable.
• You are highly encouraged to use USAJOBS Resume Builder to ensure all required information is included in your Resume.
• If you use your own resume or curriculum vitae, for each work experience at a minimum, your resume should include; job title(s) (including job series and grade, if Federal); description of duties or work performed; starting and ending dates (month and year).
• Part‑Time work must be clearly identified and include the number of hours per week; if not identified, then work will be assumed to be Full‑Time. (NOTE: A full‑time work schedule requires most employees to work 33‑40 hours during the work week. A part‑time schedule requires an employee to work less than full‑time, typically 16‑32 hours per week.)

2. Unofficial Transcripts: This position has a positive education requirement and therefore, requires proof of higher education. If you are using the substitution of education to meet qualifications, you must submit an unofficial transcript.

• Special Instructions for Foreign Education: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work and degree. You MUST provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation with a course by course listing along with your application. Failure to provide such documentation by the closing date of the announcement will result in lost consideration.

3. Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) documentation if applicable (see “Additional Information” section).

Agency contact information

Applicant Inquiries

[e-mail]

NOAA Office of Human Capital Services (OHCS)

1315 East West Hwy

SSMC4

Silver Spring, MD 20910

US

Next steps

Throughout the recruitment and hiring process we will be communicating with you via email; therefore, it is imperative that the email address you provide when applying for this vacancy remains active. Should your email address change, please notify the point of contact identified in the vacancy announcement as soon as possible so that we can update our system.

This Job Opportunity Announcement may be used to fill other equivalent positions throughout the Federal government. The position must be alike (e.g.: within the same geographic locations, equivalent grade/band and requires the same qualifications and specialized experience as indicated in this vacancy announcement).

Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) for Anchorage, Alaska is 1.49%, Fairbanks, Alaska is 1.49%, Juneau, Alaska is 1.49%, Barrigada, Guam is 11.88%; Honolulu, Hawaii is 8.64% and is not federally taxed. The COLA is not reflected in the locality salary shown in this vacancy announcement. COLAs are exempt from Federal income taxes; post differentials are not.

Post Differential may be authorized for hires outside of the local area. May be eligible to applicants from the mainland, Alaska, or Hawaii. You may be entitled to 25% post differential allowance in addition to the salary for American Samoa, and 20% for Guam. Post differentials are not exempt from Federal income taxes.