Student Volunteer Program

                                          STUDENT VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

                 NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NEWPORT/MOREHEAD CITY, NC

Applications are now being accepted for the 2019 Summer Student Volunteer Program. The application deadline is:

MARCH 13, 2019.

DESCRIPTION

The student volunteer program is available to current undergraduate and graduate students. This program provides students the opportunity to learn about the science of weather forecasting and the role of the National Weather Service and other NOAA agencies. This is done through several approaches including research, job shadowing and computer based learning. Students will be required to complete a research project during their time at the office. The research can cover a range of topics from specific forecasting challenges to significant event reviews. Each student will also be required to job shadow a minimum of five operational forecasting shifts.

The student volunteer program, though not a paying position, has many benefits for students and graduates. Competition for positions within the NWS has increased in recent years, and it has proven beneficial for recent college graduates to have prior operational forecasting experience when they apply for positions within the NWS. Due to resource restraints, only a few students are selected to the student volunteer program through a competitive application process. Several of our previous volunteers have gone onto graduate school, jobs within the National Weather Service, and/or private sector positions in the field of meteorology.

Through pre-arranged coordination with their university, students may be able to receive college credit for volunteer time with the NWS. The primary goal of the volunteer program is to help the student gain the research skills and understanding of weather forecasting that the will help the student have a successful career in meteorology.

EXPECTATIONS

Expectations of the student volunteers at the NWS Newport include:

• Each volunteer will be expected to be able to participate in the program from late May through early August and complete a minimum of 120 volunteer hours in the office or participating in office related functions.
• The volunteer will conduct an office approved research project with assigned mentors. The volunteer will present their research to the staff at the end of the internship.
• Volunteers will complete a core set of training modules. 
• Each volunteer will shadow a minimum of five operational shifts.
• Volunteers will be trained and encouraged to participate actively in office social media activities, including creating routine office posts and monitoring social media during high impact events.
• The volunteers will be encouraged to participate during office outreach efforts, including spotter training, hurricane/safety fairs, town hall meetings, etc. The volunteers will conduct themselves in a professional and respectful manner.
• Volunteers are expected to wear proper casual-business attire.
• Volunteers will abide by all security and safety rules.

 If standards are not met, this may be grounds for dismissal.

REQUIREMENTS

The volunteer program is only open to current undergraduate or graduate level students:

1. Majoring in meteorology or other related sciences
2. Available to volunteer for at least 120 hours between late May and early August
3. In good academic standing

TO APPLY

Submit an application packet, which includes:

1. NWS MHX Volunteer Application (PDF version OR Google Doc version)
2. 1-Page Resume
3. Transcript (unofficial is acceptable)

The application packet can be submitted one of three ways:

Mail to:

NWS MHX Student Volunteer Program

c/o Carl Barnes

533 Roberts Rd

Newport, NC 28570

Fax to: 252-223-3673

Email Carl.Barnes@noaa.gov and request a secure drop box be set up to send all files electronically. DO NOT send any files as an attachment to an email.

ALL APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2019 SUMMER STUDENT VOLUNTEER PROGRAM ARE DUE BY:

MARCH 13, 2019.

PAST RESEARCH

Students will be required to complete a research project during their time at the office. The research can cover a range of topics from specific forecasting challenges to significant event reviews. Previous student research topics include:

• Wind Gust Climatology for Eastern North Carolina
• Improving Sea Fog Recognition and Forecasts along the North Carolina Coast
• Localized One Inch Hail study
• Sea Surface Temperature Climatology
• Severe Weather Climatology for Eastern North Carolina
• Severe Wind and Downburst Potential study using RAOB
• Updating Flood Impact Categories at Local Non-Forecast points
• Coastal Flood/Storm Surge Inundation Research
• The Use of WEMo along the North Carolina Intracoastal Waterway

CONTACT

If you have any questions, please email the NWS Newport/Morehead City Student Volunteer Program leader, Carl Barnes, at Carl.Barnes@noaa.gov.