Student Volunteer Program

Student Volunteer Program

National Weather Service
Newport/Morehead City, NC

The student volunteer program is available for current undergraduate and graduate students. This program is designed to provide students with an opportunity to learn about the science of weather forecasting, along with education about other NOAA agencies. This is done through several approaches including research, job shadowing and computer based learning.

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 as well as private sector positions in the field of meteorology.

The volunteer program will be available for current undergraduate or graduate level students:

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

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

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 that the research skills and understanding of weather forecasting that the volunteer will gain will ultimately help the student in future career choices.

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

Application Requirements:

NWS MHX Volunteer Application
Resume
Transcript (unofficial is acceptable)

To Apply: Please complete the NWS MHX Volunteer Application one of the following ways.

NWS MHX Volunteer Application (Google Form)
NWS MHX Volunteer Application (PDF)
NWS MHX Volunteer Application (DOC)
- Please email or send a copy of your resume and transcript to Casey.Dail@noaa.gov with or after submitting your application.
  
  Email: Casey.Dail@noaa.gov
  
  Mail: 533 Roberts Road, Newport, NC 28570
  
  Fax: 252-223-3673