National Weather Service

New York, NY
Student Programs

The National Weather Service Forecast Office in Upton, NY (central Suffolk County Long Island) provides opportunities for students considering careers in atmospheric sciences, hydrology, electronic engineering and information technology. There are three types of programs that are available to students.

Note: For Full-Time Employment, visit: http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/firsttimers.asp

The following is a summary of the three (3) types of programs that are available to students at Upton, NY:

1. STUDENT EDUCATIONAL EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS (Paid Employment)

As of Apr 20, 2009, there are no vacancies available for this program at Upton, NY. There are currently two (2) students in the SCEP program at Upton, NY.

The Federal Student Educational Employment Program provides employment opportunities to students who are enrolled or accepted for enrollment as degree seeking students taking at least a half-time course load in an accredited pre-college, technical, vocational, 2 or 4-year college or university, graduate or professional school. The program comprises two components: the Student Temporary Employment Program (STEP) and the Student Career Experience Program (SCEP):

a. Student Temporary Employment Program (STEP)
Job opportunities under this program offer you temporary employment. Employment can range from summer jobs to positions that last as long as you are a student. These employment opportunities need not be related to your academic field of study.

a. Student Career Experience Program (SCEP)
This program offers you valuable work experience directly related to your academic field of study. It provides formal periods of work and study while you are attending school. It requires a commitment by you, your school and the DOC. You may be eligible for permanent employment under this component after successfully completing your education and meeting work requirements.

Features of the SCEP and STEP Programs are:

• Students may be employed year round.
• Flexible schedule of work assignments.

Eligibility Requirements are:

• A student enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a degree-seeking student (diploma, certificate, etc.).
• At least the minimum age required by Federal, State or local laws and standards governing the employment of minors.
• Taking at least half-time academic, vocational or technical course load in an accredited pre-college program, technical or vocational school, 2-year or 4-year college or university, graduate or professional school.
• U.S. Citizenship and complete security check is required.
• At the beginning of each semester/quarter, each student will produce a letter of verification from their educational institution showing proof of enrollment in school for the upcoming semester/quarter.

Salary and Promotions: The pay you receive will depend on the education and work experience you already possess. As you advance in your education you may be eligible for promotions based on your work performance, grade point average, and credits earned.

Additional Information and Opportunities may be found at
http://ohrm.doc.gov/jobs/Student/info.htm

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2. Student Volunteer (Non-Pay)

As of Apr 20, 2009, there are no vacancies available for this program at Upton, NY for Summer 2009, but we are accepting applications for the Fall 2009 semester.

• This program is intended for upper level (junior or higher) undergraduate students, or graduate level students in meteorology, atmospheric science, hydrology, computer science or engineering.
• Up to four students are accommodated at any period of time.
• Students must be enrolled in an independent study/internship program through there school to participate for which the school may award academic credit for the student's activities in this program. See your local educational institution for details.
• Students work flexible hours as agreed upon in advance.
• The student volunteer period is generally during the summer or a traditional semester, but may extend longer.
• Background security investigation and fingerprinting are required - these are accomplished by the NWS once accepted.
• Students should have an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• This is NOT an intern position and should be noted as a Student Volunteer position when applying for future employment.
• U.S. Citizenship is required.

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3. Job Shadow

As of Apr 20, 2009, there currently are opportunities available for this program at Upton, NY.

There are three levels of "Job Shadow" available to students. U.S. Citizenship is required.

LEVEL 1 - Pre-College
This level is intended for pre-college students interested in meteorology, atmospheric science, hydrology, information technology, and or electronics engineering as a career. A tour of the NWS facility is provided for the student followed by approximately two (2) hours with an appropriate NWS employee (meteorologist) observing and discussing career opportunities. These are usually done in the evening 5-7 pm to coincide with our daily upper air (weather balloon) observing activities.

Total Approximate Time: 1 Day (3-4 hours)

LEVEL 2 - Undergraduate Students
This level is intended for freshman and sophomore students enrolled in a university, college or technical program majoring in meteorology, atmospheric science, hydrology, information technology, and or electronics engineering. It is also for college students considering these fields as a major.
A tour of the NWS facility will be provided for the student followed by approximately four (4) hours with an appropriate NWS employee (meteorologist) observing and discussing career opportunities. The student will also meet with members of the local NWS management team to further discuss future career study options.

Total Approximate Time: 1 Day (5-6 hours)

LEVEL 3 - Upper level Undergraduate and Graduate Students
This level is intended for students nearing graduation or in graduate school majoring in meteorology, atmospheric science, hydrology, information technology, and or electronics engineering. The program is the same as level II, however it is expanded for up to three 6-hour days at the NWS office. The expanded time is intended to give the student a more comprehensive understanding of what it is like to work at an NWS Forecast Office. Prior participation in a Level 1 or 2 job shadow is permitted but not required.

Total Approximate Time: 3 Days (6-8 hours/day)

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Interested students, teachers and counselors should contact:

Jeffrey S. Tongue, Science and Operations Officer
National Weather Service
175 Brookhaven Ave.
Upton, NY 11973

(631) 924-0593 ext. 224
e-mail: jeffrey.tongue@noaa.gov

Forms:
- OF-306 (PDF fillable)
- OF-612 (PDF fillable)
- Security Cover Sheet (.doc)
- Fingerprint Cards (obtain from NWS)
- SCEP/STEP Agreement (.doc)
- Volunteer Agreement (.doc)

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