10 questions. One real vacancy announcement. Three applicant resumes with transcripts. Determine who qualifies — and at what grade level. Then find out where your gaps are.
Agency: [Federal Agency] | Service: Competitive | Appointment: Permanent, Full-Time | Promotion Potential: GS-12
Hiring Authority: Direct Hire Authority, 5 CFR 337.205(b)
Open Period: Standing Register with 90-day cut-off reviews
A. Degree in Meteorology, Atmospheric Science, or other natural science major that included:
1. At least 24 semester hours in meteorology/atmospheric science including:
2. 6 SH physics with at least one lab course*
3. 3 SH ordinary differential equations*
4. At least 9 SH in 3+ of: physical hydrology, statistics, chemistry, physical oceanography, physical climatology, radiative transfer, aeronomy, advanced thermodynamics, advanced E&M, light and optics, computer science
*Prerequisite or corequisite of calculus for atmospheric dynamics/thermodynamics, physics, and differential equations.
OR B. Combination of education as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
GS-5: Meets basic education requirement = qualified.
GS-7: One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-5: Using state-of-the-art hydro-meteorological data to monitor current conditions and provide assistance in forecast preparation for weather, water, or climate hazards.
OR 1 year graduate education in meteorology/atmospheric science. OR Superior Academic Achievement. OR combination.
GS-9: One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-7: Using state-of-the-art hydro-meteorological data to monitor a geographic area and assist in the preparation and issuance of warnings, advisories, outlooks, and general forecasts for weather, water, or climate hazards.
OR Master’s degree in meteorology/atmospheric science. OR 2 years progressive graduate education. OR combination.
Education: B.S. in Atmospheric Science, State University (May 2024). GPA: 3.45 overall, 3.7 in major.
Experience:
Weather Observer — Regional Airport Authority (Jun 2024 – Present, 40 hrs/week)
Record and disseminate surface weather observations. Monitor automated weather station data for accuracy. Assist senior meteorologists in preparing local aviation forecasts. Use ASOS and radar data to track developing weather systems. Prepare daily summaries of temperature, precipitation, and visibility for airport operations.
Undergraduate Research Assistant — State University Dept. of Atmospheric Science (Jan 2023 – May 2024, 20 hrs/week)
Assisted faculty with data collection for mesoscale convective storm research. Used Python to process and analyze Doppler radar datasets. Created visualizations of storm structure using GIS software. Co-authored poster presented at regional meteorology conference.
| Course | SH | Grade | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atmospheric Dynamics I | 3 | A | Dynamics/Thermo |
| Atmospheric Dynamics II | 3 | B+ | Dynamics/Thermo |
| Atmospheric Thermodynamics | 3 | A- | Dynamics/Thermo |
| Synoptic Meteorology I | 3 | B | Synoptic/Mesoscale |
| Synoptic Meteorology II | 3 | A | Synoptic/Mesoscale |
| Mesoscale Meteorology | 3 | B+ | Synoptic/Mesoscale |
| Physical Meteorology | 3 | A | Physical Met |
| Remote Sensing of the Atmosphere | 3 | B | Remote Sensing |
| General Physics I (w/lab) | 4 | B | Physics |
| General Physics II (w/lab) | 4 | B+ | Physics |
| Ordinary Differential Equations | 3 | B- | Math |
| Calculus I | 4 | B | Math |
| Calculus II | 4 | B+ | Math |
| Statistics for Physical Sciences | 3 | A | Elective (Stats) |
| Physical Oceanography | 3 | A- | Elective (Phys Ocean) |
| General Chemistry I | 4 | B | Elective (Chemistry) |
| Computer Science I | 3 | A | Elective (CS) |
| Additional courses in English, humanities, social sciences, and general electives = 120 total SH | |||
Meteorology/Atmospheric Science SH: Dynamics/Thermo: 9 | Synoptic/Mesoscale: 9 | Physical Met: 3 | Remote Sensing: 3 = 24 SH
DD-214: None submitted. No veterans’ preference claimed.
Education: B.S. in Geography with Minor in Atmospheric Science, Regional University (May 2022). GPA: 3.1 overall. M.S. in Atmospheric Science, Regional University (In Progress — 15 SH completed as of June 2026).
Experience:
Environmental Technician — State Department of Environmental Quality (Aug 2022 – Present, 40 hrs/week)
Collect and analyze air quality monitoring data. Prepare environmental compliance reports. Operate weather monitoring equipment at field stations. Review climate data for permitting decisions. Use GIS to map environmental monitoring sites.
Student Intern — National Weather Service [City] Forecast Office (May 2021 – Aug 2021, 40 hrs/week)
Observed senior forecasters preparing daily weather briefings. Assisted with recording surface observations. Participated in severe weather operations during tornado season. Learned to use AWIPS workstation for data display.
| Course | SH | Grade | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Atmospheric Science | 3 | B | General Met |
| Weather Analysis & Forecasting | 3 | B+ | Synoptic |
| Atmospheric Thermodynamics | 3 | C+ | Dynamics/Thermo |
| Physical Meteorology | 3 | B | Physical Met |
| Radar Meteorology | 3 | A- | Remote Sensing |
| General Physics I (w/lab) | 4 | C | Physics |
| General Physics II (no lab) | 3 | C+ | Physics |
| Calculus I | 4 | C+ | Math |
| Statistics | 3 | B | Elective (Stats) |
| Physical Geography | 3 | A | Geography |
| Climatology | 3 | B+ | Elective (Climatology) |
| GIS Applications | 3 | A | Geography |
| Remaining SH in geography, social sciences, humanities = 120 total SH. No ordinary differential equations taken. | |||
Graduate Transcript (In Progress): Atmospheric Dynamics (3 SH, A), Advanced Synoptic Meteorology (3 SH, B+), Mesoscale Analysis (3 SH, In Progress), Numerical Weather Prediction (3 SH, B), Satellite Meteorology (3 SH, A-) = 15 SH completed
Meteorology/Atmospheric Science SH (Undergrad): Dynamics/Thermo: 3 | Synoptic: 3 | Physical Met: 3 | Remote Sensing: 3 | General Met: 3 = 15 SH
DD-214: Submitted. U.S. Army, E-5, served Sep 2016 – Aug 2020. Southwest Asia Service Medal. Honorable discharge. VA disability rating: 30% compensable.
Education: B.S. in Atmospheric Science, Technical University (May 2020). GPA: 2.85 overall, 3.2 in major. M.S. in Atmospheric Science, Technical University (Aug 2022). Thesis: “Ensemble Forecast Verification Methods for Tropical Cyclone Track Prediction.”
Experience:
Meteorologist — Private Weather Forecasting Company (Sep 2022 – Present, 40 hrs/week)
Use hydro-meteorological data including radar, satellite, surface observations, and numerical weather prediction model output to monitor weather conditions across a 12-state region. Prepare and issue severe weather alerts, general forecasts, and client-specific weather briefings. Monitor geographic areas and issue warnings and advisories for hazardous weather including severe thunderstorms, winter storms, and flooding events. Independently prepare and disseminate impact-based forecasts for commercial clients in aviation, energy, and agriculture sectors.
Graduate Research Assistant — Technical University (Aug 2020 – Aug 2022, 20 hrs/week)
Conducted independent research on tropical cyclone forecasting. Developed ensemble verification algorithms using MATLAB and Python. Published findings in peer-reviewed journal. Taught undergraduate lab sections in synoptic meteorology.
| Course | SH | Grade | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atmospheric Dynamics I & II | 6 | B, B+ | Dynamics/Thermo |
| Atmospheric Thermodynamics | 3 | B | Dynamics/Thermo |
| Synoptic Meteorology I & II | 6 | B+, A | Synoptic/Mesoscale |
| Physical Meteorology | 3 | A- | Physical Met |
| Satellite & Radar Meteorology | 3 | A | Remote Sensing |
| General Physics I & II (both w/lab) | 8 | C+, B | Physics |
| Ordinary Differential Equations | 3 | C | Math |
| Calculus I, II, III | 12 | C, C+, B- | Math |
| Statistics | 3 | B+ | Elective (Stats) |
| Chemistry I | 4 | C+ | Elective (Chemistry) |
| Computer Science I | 3 | B | Elective (CS) |
| Physical Oceanography | 3 | B | Elective (Phys Ocean) |
| Graduate: 36 SH completed including Advanced Dynamics, Tropical Meteorology, Mesoscale Modeling, NWP, Research Methods, Thesis = M.S. awarded Aug 2022 | |||
Meteorology/Atmospheric Science SH (Undergrad): Dynamics/Thermo: 9 | Synoptic: 6 | Physical Met: 3 | Remote Sensing: 3 = 21 SH + 3 SH Intro from graduate = 24+ total across both degrees
DD-214: None submitted. No veterans’ preference claimed.
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