METEOROLOGIST

About the role

You will serve as a Meteorologist in the Forecast Operations division of Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) Pearl Harbor, HI, performing the Department of Defense (DoD) sole tropical cyclone (TC) forecast mission.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the Typhoon Duty Officer, demonstrating expertise in all aspects of tropical meteorology to issue time-critical TC warnings.
• Apply specialized technical knowledge to synthesize data, satellite imagery, radar, and numerical weather prediction model guidance to forecast TC track, intensity, and structure and issue authoritative TC warnings and decision support.
• Work as the on-shift forecast lead for a 4-person joint service watch team.
• Maintain broad situational awareness of key DoD installations and assets and U.S. civilian interests potentially affected by TCs.
• Independently operate specialized meteorological systems including the Automated Tropical Cyclone Forecast software system (ATCF), the Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System (AWIPS), and satellite display software.
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures and dataflow documentation.
• Proactively troubleshoot critical meteorological computer systems and associated data flow processes to ensure continuous 24x7 operations.
• Conduct detailed annual post-storm analysis of the track, intensity, and structure of all TC activity.
• Perform in a developmental capacity under closer supervision and guidance of a senior forecaster if selected at the GS-12 level.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Must be determined suitable for federal employment.
• Must participate in the direct deposit pay program.
• New employees to the Department of the Navy will be required to successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check.
• Generally, current federal employees applying for GS jobs must serve at least one year at the next lower grade level (time-in-grade requirement).
• Within the Department of Defense (DoD), the appointment of retired military members within 180 days immediately following retirement date to a civilian position is subject to specific provisions.
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.
• Must obtain and maintain an interim and/or final security clearance prior to entrance on duty.
• This position may require travel from normal duty station to CONUS and OCONUS, including remote or isolated sites. You must be able to travel on military and commercial aircraft for extended periods of time.
• Must obtain and maintain a U.S. Passport.
• This is a Mission Essential position; you will be required to ensure continuity of operations and/or completion of tasks essential to the mission.
• Must possess a Bachelor's or higher degree in meteorology, atmospheric science, or a related natural science major that includes at least 24 semester hours of meteorology/atmospheric science coursework, or a combination of education and experience.
• This position is designated as Key in accordance with regulations; in the event of a crisis, war, or mobilization, the incumbent must continue to perform duties to support mission requirements.
• A member of the Ready Reserve may not fill the position on a permanent basis.
• Incumbent will be required to work rotating shifts, irregular hours, overtime, and be subject to recall to support unscheduled weather support or emergency requirements.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• Degree: meteorology, atmospheric science, or other natural science major that included:
  • 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;
    • Two semester hours of remote sensing of the atmosphere and/or instrumentation.
  • Six semester hours of physics, with at least one course that includes laboratory sessions;
  • Three semester hours of ordinary differential equations;
  • 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.
• Combination of education and experience: course work as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

GS-13 Level:

• In addition to the basic requirements, you must have a Bachelor's Degree in Meteorology (transcripts required at time of application).
• Your resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-12 grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector, including:
  • Operational Tropical Cyclone Forecasting: Serving as an on-shift forecast lead or authoritative forecaster, synthesizing complex satellite imagery, radar, scatterometry, and numerical weather prediction (NWP) models to produce and issue time-critical tropical cyclone track, intensity, and structure warnings under strict deadlines.
  • Systems Proficiency & Dataflow Management: Operating and troubleshooting specialized meteorological systems and applications (e.g., Automated Tropical Cyclone Forecast [ATCF] system, AWIPS, or equivalent production suites) to maintain continuous 24/7 operational dataflow.
  • Post-Storm Analysis & Mentorship: Conducting detailed post-storm reanalysis of tropical cyclones, authoring technical reports/assessments, and providing formal on-the-job training and mentorship to forecasters.

GS-12 Level:

• In addition to the basic requirements, you must have a Bachelor's degree in Meteorology (transcripts required at time of application).
• Your resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-11 grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector, including:
  • Developmental Forecasting Support: Assisting in the collection, analysis, and synthesis of meteorological data (satellite, radar, and NWP model output) to prepare draft forecasts, warnings, or weather advisories under the guidance or review of a senior forecaster.
  • Systems Utilization: Utilizing meteorological workstation software (e.g., AWIPS, ATCF, or similar workstation tools) to display, process, and format weather data and products.
  • Watch Operations Support: Participating as a watch team member in an operational setting and supporting post-event data quality control, assessments, or technical documentation.

Transcripts are required at time of application.