Student Volunteer Program

Student Volunteer Program

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. There are two main tracks for the student volunteer program, an operational track and a research track. Students in the operational track work to become upper air certified and to develop their forecasting skills using the same computer systems that NWS forecasters use. Students in the research track are tasked with projects that both match their personal interests and improve NWS operations.

Qualifications

The program is available to all currently enrolled undergraduate and graduate meteorology students at Florida State University.

Application Process

Volunteer positions are advertised each semester via email to students and teachers in the FSU meteorology program. 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 we review the submitted applications, a portion of the candidates are interviewed.

Expectations and Requirements

Selected students are expected to work a minimum of 10 hours per week for the fall and spring semester opportunities and a minimum of 20 hours per week for summer opportunities. Summer students in the operational track usually work rotating shifts to get a feel for the lifestyle of a forecaster.

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, where they can watch a weather balloon launch and see the forecast process in action. 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).

Finally, our office works closely with the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM), which has its own student volunteer program that meteorology students can apply to. You can find out more about those opportunities here.

Points of Contact

For more information please contact:

Eric Bunker Student Volunteer Program Leader

Kelly Godsey Student Volunteer Program Representative

Parks Camp Science and Operations Officer