Student Opportunities

There are three types of student programs here at NWS Buffalo:

Paid Employment
Student Volunteer
Job Shadow

Paid Employment

Although paid student programs are not directly available through the local NWS office, the Department of Commerce has a new program called Pathways. For more information, please see:

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management

Student Volunteer

IMPORTANT: Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the summer 2021 Student Volunteer program will be completed remotely.

Goal: Provide college students with an experience in a guided atmospheric science research project while getting to see what a career in operational meteorology is like at a National Weather Service Forecast Office

Applicant requirement:

College students enrolled in an Atmospheric Science, Meteorology or Hydrology program for the Fall of 2021 (in either undergraduate or graduate program), and have completed their sophomore year
College students with an interest in a career within the National Weather Service
Students with flexibility to participate for 3 to 4 days a week, 3 to 4 hours per day, generally between 80 – 100 hours over a two-and-a-half-month period (late May through early August)

What are some of the things you will be doing while volunteering with the Buffalo NWS?

Contribute to research projects while working remotely with other volunteer students and NWS staff
Complete assigned and self-chosen meteorology learning modules on line
Watch assigned videos to observe different operational meteorology aspects from office tour and weather balloon launches to equipment related repairs and maintenance
Meetings with meteorologist on a weekly to bi-weekly basis (as time permits) to discuss progress of different tasks, career related discussion, or any other types of questions you may have
One on one training with a meteorologist via Google Meet, going over office computers and programs to issue forecasts, warnings, etc.
Participate in a severe weather event reviews remotely, video calls with national centers, etc.
Miscellaneous activities as agreed upon by the student volunteer and NWS management
Complete a written summary on the experiences with the student volunteer program, and give a 15-20 minute (remote) presentation to the staff at the end of the summer

To apply, send the following by March 15^th, 2021:

Cover letter
Resume
Most recent transcript (official or unofficial)

Send the above to:

David Zaff - Science and Operations Officer
National Weather Service
587 Aero Drive
Cheektowaga, N.Y. 14225
(716) 565-0204
David.Zaff@noaa.gov

Job Shadow

The NWS Buffalo Job Shadow program is intended for students interested in meteorology as a possible career. The students spend around 2-4 hours with a NWS Buffalo meteorologist observing the forecast process, and discussing NWS career opportunities.

Interested students should contact:

Dave Zaff
Science and Operations Officer
National Weather Service
587 Aero Drive
Buffalo, NY 14225
(716) - 565 - 0204
david.zaff@noaa.gov