Weather Technician/Observer

Amentum; Vandenberg Village (CA); On-site; USD 48,216 - 55,104; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k)

Life insurance

Long-term disability

Short-term disability

Paid time off

Paid parental leave

Paid holidays

Job summary

Amentum is seeking a Weather Observer at VSFB to perform upper air and surface observations, report to the Weather Systems Manager, and support airfield operations. The role requires certification or prior DoD/FAA/NWS METAR experience and strict adherence to AFMAN guidelines.

Shifts cover typical hours Mon–Fri 0730–1700 with after-hours/weekend support as needed; 24/7 NAOC-related observation duties when required; a clean DoD clearance, vision, and a valid driver’s license are essential.

Qualifications

• Must have High School Diploma or GED.
• Experience with METAR code through DoD/FAA/NWS or equivalent.
• Maintain observer qualification-training per AFMAN 15-111/15-124 and related instructions.
• Must obtain DoD Secret Security Clearance and be a U.S. citizen.
• Vision: 20/20 or corrected to 20/20 with glasses/contacts.
• Valid U.S. Driver's License required.

Responsibilities

• Report to Weather Systems Manager.
• Support completion of upper air observations using computer data; certified observer needed for ~3 hours.
• Operate VSFB Weather Observatory during airfield hours (Mon–Fri 0730–1700) with after-hours/weekend support as needed.
• Perform daily upper air balloon observations at 0000 and 1200 UTC.
• Perform weather observations at VSFB Weather Stations 24/7 in support of NAOC.
• Support launch operations including scrubs; adhere to shift/rest constraints (max 60 hrs/week; max 14 consecutive days).
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Upper air observations

METAR code usage

DoD/FAA/NWS experience

DoD security clearance eligibility

Driver's license

Education

High School Diploma/GED

Surface Observation certification

Job description

Typical Duties

• Report to and receiving directions from the Weather Systems Manager


• Support completion of upper air observations using computer data and platform. This assignment requires the attention of one certified observer from the time of instrument preflight through the final transmission of data (approximately 3 hours).


• Operate the VSFB Representative Weather Observatory (RWO) during airfield operating hours (normally, Monday through Friday, 0730 to 1700 hours local time) to include after-hours or weekend support when airfield is open, to perform upper air and surface observations consistent with AFMAN 15-111 and AFMAN 15-124, FMH-3, and IAW 30 SWI 15-101 or supporting OPLANs


• Perform daily upper air balloon observations at 0000 and 1200 UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) every day.


• Perform weather observations at VSFB Weather Stations during airfield operating hours 24/7 in support of the National Airborne Operations Center (NAOC).


• Support launch operations through nominal launch and/or scrub, and until mission requirements are completed. Ground operations safety requirements, which must be managed through scheduling and staffing, include maximum 12-hour shift with at least 8 hours of rest after 12 hours of work, a maximum of 60 hours per week, a maximum of 14 consecutive calendar days.


• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

• A High School Diploma/GED


• Employees shall have a current Surface Observation certification or have had at least two (2) years of experience with a Department of Defense (DoD), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), or National Weather Service (NWS) agency in taking, recording, encoding, and disseminating surface observations using Meteorological Aviation Report (METAR) code.


• Employees shall maintain certification requirements as long as they are employed.


• Employees must have at least 20/20 vision or visual acuity correctable to 20/20 with glasses or contact lenses.


• Maintain the prescribed observer qualification-training program. covering information on local operating instructions and procedures related to all observing duties, to include surface and upper air observations consistent with AFMAN 15-111, AFMAN 15-124, and FCM-H3-1997, and IAW 30 SWI 15-101 or supporting OPLANs.


• Pass a closed-book qualification examination and demonstrate that the observer can accomplish a correct observation and meet all transmission schedules. This demonstration must include the use of both primary and backup systems for basic weather watch observations and balloon observations.


• Must be able to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret Security Clearance, which includes U.S. citizenship


• Valid U.S. Driver’s License required

Salary And Other Compensation

The annual starting salary for this position is between $35.00 – $40.00 hourly. Factors which may affect starting pay within this range include geography/market, skills, education, experience, and other qualifications of the successful candidate.

Benefits

The Company offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements: medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, 401(k) retirement plan, life insurance, long-term disability insurance, short-term disability insurance, paid time off, paid parental leave, and paid holidays annually.

• Health insurance


• dental insurance


• vision insurance


• 401(k) retirement plan


• life insurance


• long-term disability insurance


• short-term disability insurance


• paid time off


• paid parental leave


• paid holidays annually

Compensation Details

$40.00

The compensation range or hourly rate listed for this position is provided as a good-faith estimate of what the company intends to offer for this role at the time this posting was issued. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as job responsibilities, education, experience, skills, internal equity, market data, applicable collective bargaining agreements, and relevant laws.

Benefits Overview

Our health and welfare benefits are designed to support you and your priorities. Offerings include:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance


• Paid time off and holidays


• Retirement benefits (including 401(k) matching)


• Educational reimbursement


• Parental leave


• Employee stock purchase plan


• Tax-saving options


• Disability and life insurance


• Pet insurance

Note: Benefits may vary based on employment type, location, and applicable agreements. Positions governed by a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), the McNamara-O'Hara Service Contract Act (SCA), or other employment contracts may include different provisions/benefits.

05/26/2026 - Until Filled

Amentum anticipates this job requisition will remain open for at least three days, with a closing date no earlier than three days after the original posting. This timeline may change based on business needs.

Amentum is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our hiring practices provide equal opportunity for employment without regard to race, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), age, ancestry, United States military or veteran status, color, religion, creed, marital or domestic partner status, medical condition, genetic information, national origin, citizenship status, low-income status, or mental or physical disability so long as the essential functions of the job can be performed with or without reasonable accommodation, or any other protected category under federal, state, or local law. Learn more about your rights under Federal laws and supplemental language at Labor Laws Posters.