NWS Twin Cities Student Volunteer and Shadowing Opportunities

Our next student volunteer opportunities will be available Summer 2024. The application deadline has passed. Students interested in applying for Summer 2025 can check back here in February 2025 for more details. 

NWS Twin Cities VolunteerPosition Description

The Student Volunteer Program involves working with the NWS Weather Forecast Office in Chanhassen, MN. The selected student volunteer will have the opportunity to work on a research project, shadow NWS forecasters, and/or assist with one of our team's (Science Technology and Training, Operations or Decision Support Services) goals. The selected student will also have a mix of other in-person experiences (participating in an outreach event, seeing the radar, going on an Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS) preventative maintenance trip, etc.). The selected student will also be assigned a mentor to work with.

Minimum Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program in meteorology or a related field

  (such as atmospheric science, environmental science, climatology, hydrology, etc.).

• Be in good academic standing as defined by the educational institution (at least a 2.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale)

What to Expect

• The volunteer will work in-person shifts between 10-15 hours per week. The volunteer can occasionally work virtually if they choose.

Application Process and Deadlines

Your application must include the following:

• Cover letter detailing why you would like to volunteer for the National Weather Service.
• A one-page resume.
• An unofficial transcript.
• Your application may also include a letter of recommendation from an academic professor in their field of study.

The next application period will be held in February 2024.

Other Related Opportunities

NOAA offers several student opportunities, including paid student internships through the pathways program, undergraduate scholarships through the Hollings Scholarship Program, or the Presidential Management Fellows program to name a few. A brief overview of each of these programs can be found below:

Job Shadow Opportunities

Job shadowing opportunities are available to students at high school or college/university academic levels. The job shadow would follow an NWS Twin Cities Meteorologist on shift for a couple of hours to understand daily operations at our forecast office located in Chanhassen, MN. For inquires or requests to arrange a job shadow opportunity, please email nws.twincities@noaa.gov.

• Note: Any job shadow arrangement is weather dependent and could be cancelled or rescheduled at short notice.

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 the point of contact below for more information.

Pathways Program

The Pathways Program is a fantastic gateway to enter the National Weather Service or any other federal agency!

Pathways opportunities are paid internships that are open to current students or recent graduates. In the National Weather Service, a student intern must complete 640 hours of service and must be in the process of meeting the basic education requirements outlined in the "Meteorology Series 1340" link below.

Once the student intern completes their pathways appointment, they may have the opportunity for a non-competitive conversion to a full-time hire.

For more information about the Pathways program use the "Student Pathways - USA Jobs" link below. NWS Pathway positions can be found on this same link, using keyword "1399" - which is the job series for all student intern vacancy announcements.

More information on this opportunity can be found here!

Hollings Scholarship Program

The Hollings Scholarship Program provides successful undergraduate applicants with awards that include academic assistance (up to $9,500 per year) for two years of full-time study and a 10-week, full-time paid ($700/week) internship at a NOAA facility during the summer.

The internship between the first and second years of the award provides the scholars with hands-on, practical experience in NOAA-related science, research, technology, policy, management, and education activities. Awards also include travel funds to attend a mandatory NOAA Scholarship Program orientation and the annual Science & Education Symposium, scientific conferences where students present their research, and a housing subsidy for scholars who do not reside at home during the summer internship.

Hollings Alumni report that the experience influenced their academic and career paths, expanded their professional networks and improved their skills for working in NOAA mission fields. 100% of Hollings Scholars surveyed said that they would recommend this opportunity to other students.

More information on this opportunity can be found here!

Presidential Management Fellows (PMF)

The Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) Program is administered by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Each year, candidates apply to the program in efforts to be selected as Finalists. Finalists are then eligible for appointment as Presidential Management Fellows (Fellows; PMFs) at a participating Federal agency. The PMF Program is an opportunity for advanced degree holders across all academic disciplines and from all segments of society.

To become a PMF, you must participate in a rigorous application and assessment process. It takes patience and endurance, but also gives you a chance to demonstrate your leadership ability and potential. As a PMF, you will have earned your place in the program, and the opportunity to grow professionally, serve your country, and make a difference on behalf of the American people!

The very first step in successfully becoming a PMF is paying attention to the details of the annual application and assessment process. For detailed eligibility requirements, check out the eligibility webpage. Once the application period opens, it will appear on USAJOBS (www.usajobs.gov) by searching for "Presidential Management Fellows".

More information on this opportunity can be found here!

Points of Contact

For more information, please contact:

Student Volunteer Coordinators: Nick Carletta (nicholas.carletta@noaa.gov) and Ryan Dunleavy (ryan.dunleavy@noaa.gov).