Student Volunteer Program

Student Volunteer Program

For Summer/Fall 2026 - All student positions are filled. Check back in early Spring 2027 for any future availability.

Overview

The National Weather Service office in Tallahassee offers students the opportunity to work directly with forecasters in an operational environment and gain hands-on experience in their field of study. Our primary focus is on operational meteorology. Students learn and develop their forecasting skills using the same computer systems that NWS forecasters use. Students routinely work up to 10 hours a week with NWS forecasters.

Qualifications

The program is available to any student enrolled in an academic institution pursuing a meteorology degree. The student must also be at least a rising junior, or have completed two years of undergraduate education.

Application Process

Volunteer positions, if available, are advertised around mid-February via email to students and teachers. Students are required to submit a cover letter, a one-page resume, an unofficial transcript, and responses to two essay or short response questions. After an evaluation of the submitted application packets, the highest ranked candidates are interviewed.

Expectations and Requirements

Selected students are expected to work up to 10 hours per week on a fixed schedule for the fall and spring semesters. There are options to continue volunteer work into the summer semester on a case-by-case basis. Often, students working in the summer work a rotating shift schedule to get a better understanding of work-life in the National Weather Service. These positions are on-site only.

A security background check must be completed before the start of any internship.

Related Opportunities

NOAA offers several student opportunities, including paid student internships through the Pathways Program and undergraduate scholarships through the Hollings Scholarship Program.

Students are welcome to schedule a tour of the office or a shadow shift. Please send an email to one of the points of contact below for more information.

NWS Tallahassee staff also teach an FSU course every spring semester called Operational Meteorology (MET4705).

Points of Contact

For more information please contact:

Student Volunteer Program Coordinators:

Molly Merrifield - Lead Meteorologist

David Reese - Meteorologist

Kelly Godsey - Senior Service Hydrologist/Meteorologist