Meteorologist

American Meteorological Society; Anchorage, Northern (AK, KY); Hybrid; USD 68,000 - 92,000; Full time

Job summary

NOAA's National Weather Service seeks Meteorologists to join a standing register for vacancies in Anchorage and other locations. This developmental to full‑performance role offers exposure to forecast production, warning dissemination, and IDSS services for public safety.

The position requires U.S. citizenship, security clearance, and meeting education requirements in meteorology or related fields. A comprehensive federal benefits package and opportunities for career progression are provided.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Meteorology, Atmospheric Science, or related field with required course work.
• Specialized experience as defined for GS-05/07/09 levels may be substituted with education as outlined.
• Calculus and physics coursework required; knowledge of atmospheric dynamics and numerical forecasting recommended.

Responsibilities

• Integrate forecast weather, water, and climate hazards with societal risks to produce warnings and forecasts.
• Support development and delivery of IDSS products and briefings for public safety partners.
• Collect and analyze environmental data to forecast critical elements at multiple scales.
• Collaborate with colleagues to improve day‑to‑day operations of Weather Forecast Offices and NCEP.

Skills

Forecasting

Data analysis

Communication

Education

Meteorology degree

Physics background

Differential equations

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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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

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; 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

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 July 12, 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 [e-mail]. 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;
• 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.

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.

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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.

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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.