This position is located in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO), Aircraft Operations Center (AOC), with two vacancies in Lakeland, FL. This position is also announced under vacancy number OMAO-26-12849527-ST, which is open to Status Candidates. You must apply to both announcements if you want to be considered for both.
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. BASIC REQUIREMENTS: This position requires applicants to meet a Basic Education Requirement in addition to at least one year of Specialized Experience OR substitution of education for experience OR combination in order to be found minimally qualified. You MUST meet the following basic 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. 2. Six semester hours of physics, with at least one course that includes laboratory sessions.* 3. Three semester hours of ordinary differential equations.* 4. 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-11 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-09 in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following: Assisting with collecting or analyzing real-time remote sensing or aircraft data to assess current and forecasted weather situations; and Assisting with monitoring or evaluating the validation and quality of real-time meteorological data. OR SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in Meteorology, Atmospheric Science or in a directly related field or 3 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. To qualify at the GS-12 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-11 in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following: Collecting or analyzing real-time remote sensing or aircraft data to assess current and forecasted weather situations; Monitoring or evaluating the validation and quality of real-time meteorological data; and Analyzing aviation hazards, identifying risks, and recommending solutions to aviation customers.
As a Meteorologist, you will perform the following duties: Coordinate team projects/missions and provide technical guidance and direction in monitoring, analyzing, and collecting remote sensing and aircraft in- situ data in dynamic weather environments. Monitor and evaluate real-time weather data, aviation and ground radar, and satellite imagery for both scientific and safety purposes; analyze and assess current and forecasted weather situations at both the synoptic and mesoscale levels, utilizing all necessary warning, advisory and forecast products required for pre-flight mission briefings. Adapt general forecasts to conform to observed local weather phenomena and prepare warnings and advisories. Warn or alert general public of immediate danger situations such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and other severe storms by providing briefings and/or weather updates to decision makers in accordance with procedures. NOTE: These duties are described at the full performance level of the GS-12; The GS-11 is developmental leading to such performance. CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: The position requires that the incumbent engage in mission flights, which may include flights into severe storms to perform the duties of this position and NOAA Air Crewmember duties during these flights. The incumbent is required to meet and maintain the Air Crewmember medical requirements as described in the Aircraft Operations Center (AOC) Operations Manual and the AOC Medical Policy. For AOC purposes, a valid Class 3 FAA Medical Certificate without limitations will be deemed equivalent to an Aircrew Medical Examination. The position requires strict adherence to safety procedures and training due to exposure to potentially severe weather conditions and hazardous flight environments. This position is designated as a flight crewmember with critical safety or security responsibilities and as such, has been designated as a testing designated position (TDP); as a condition of employment, the incumbent of a TDP is subject to a random drug test that occurs without suspicion that an individual is using illegal drugs. The position contributes directly to NOAA fulfillment of public safety responsibilities and delivery of essential activities which likely protect life and property. NOAA aircraft operate throughout the world providing a wide range of capabilities including hurricane reconnaissance and research, marine mammal and fisheries assessment, flooding, fires, disaster response, emergency services, and coastal mapping. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Work is split between office and flight conditions. Serves as a crewmember onboard government aircraft. Assignments often entail flying into dynamic and hazardous weather environments. Must be able to climb an aircraft ladder, and at times be able to carry equipment weighing up to 50 lbs. Position requires the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) 3rd class or equivalent physical evaluation, based on National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) aviation policy. Traveling across the US and to foreign countries is not uncommon. WORK ENVIRONMENT: Incumbent serves as a NOAA Air Crewmember on missions which may include flights into severe storms. Flying environment may be turbulent. Aircraft noise levels may be greater than 85 decibels. Fieldwork may occur anywhere in the world, under less than adequate living and working conditions. Deployed areas may require exposure to extremes from tropical heat, or subzero arctic cold. Incumbent receives training in safety procedures, aircraft egress, water survival, and must follow all NOAA and FAA safety regulations related to the position.