National Weather Service in Gaylord, MI Seeking Students for

Summer 2024 In Office Volunteer Internship

Description: The National Weather Service in Gaylord, MI seeks motivated students that desire to learn more about the operations in a local weather service office.

In this internship, students will learn many aspects of the day-to-day operations of the office, including warning operations, forecast creation, and decision support services.  In addition, the student will have the opportunity to participate in office research and outreach.  This will give the student an opportunity to determine whether a career with the National Weather Service is of interest to them.

Length of Internship:  Averages two days per week (~10 to 20 hours) starting in middle to late May 2024 and continuing through the middle of August 2024.  This is an unpaid internship.

Eligibility:  At least a half-time student pursuing a major in meteorology or atmospheric science that will be in their junior or senior year as of spring semester 2024.

What Is Required:  

• A cover letter stating your interest in the internship and why we should select you

• Your resume that includes coursework you have completed and any related experience

• At least one reference from your current meteorology department

• A copy of your school transcript that shows the current semester of enrollment (Fall 2023)

Upon selection, there will be additional forms that will need to be filled out, including fingerprint cards.  

Deadline:  Monday January 15, 2024. 

Please send your information to: John.Boris@noaa.gov

Or

National Weather Service

c/o John Boris

8800 Passenheim Rd.

Gaylord, MI 49735

Questions can be addressed via the e-mail address above or by calling the office at (989) 731-3384 ext 766

Student Volunteer Program Position Description

Major Duties:

1. Data Acquisition Duties/Impact-Based Decision Support Services

   • Learn data acquisition duties and assist in the provision of impact-based decision support services (IDSS). These tasks form the backbone of duties performed by many newly hired meteorologists.  This will include the following:

     • Create and transmit routine data products (RTP/STP)

     • Quality control of NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts

     • In a training capacity, assist with upper air balloon launches, including becoming familiar with the RRS software system, and launch procedures.

     • Assist with IDSS tasks:

       • Assist in the development of Weather Story graphics/Graphicasts/DSS Packets/Event specific IDSS

       • Assist staff in answering routing public service requests via telephone and social media platforms.

2.  Systems Proficiency

   • Learn use of the Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System (AWIPS):

   • Complete IT Security Awareness course

3.  Weather Monitoring/Forecasting Support

   • In a training capacity, assist the forecast staff in monitoring current weather conditions

   • Training in surface and upper air analysis and assessment of forecast model output.

4.  Research/Special Projects

   • Participate in a special project or research study (Science and Operations Officer)

   • Participate in an outreach event, if available (Warning Coordination Meteorologist)

   • Participate in a co-op observer visit (Operations Program Leader)

   • Participate in a hydrology field visit (Hydrology Program Leader)

Volunteers will also complete a short (1-3 page) report summarizing the internship.  Content should include the number of hours worked, operational activities learned and/or participated in, and a brief description of any projects worked on or events participated in.