Student Opportunities at NWS Twin Cities
An Overview of Student Opportunities available at NWS Twin Cities and we are now accepting applications for summer 2025 volunteers
NWS Mission Statement & Vision
Who We Are
The National Weather Service (NWS) is part of the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) federal government agency.
The NWS consists of 122 field offices across the Continental U.S., Hawaiian Islands, Alaska, Puerto Rico, as well as one state office on the island of Guam.
The NWS is responsible for providing weather, water and climate data, forecasts, warnings, and impact-based decision support services for the protection of life and property and enhancement of the national economy.
The vision of the NWS is to build A Weather-Ready Nation, where society is prepared for and responds to weather, water, and climate-dependent events. The NWS vision is to build A Weather-Ready Nation, where society is prepared for and responds to weather, water, and climate-dependent events.
NWS Twin Cities' County Warning Area (CWA)
Our office is responsible for providing a plethora of various weather forecast and decision support services. The area of responsibility known as a County Warning Area (CWA) consists of 42 Minnesota Counties and 9 Wisconsin Counties. Chanhassen, MN (red) is centrally located within the CWA.
Our office is also responsible for providing aviation forecasts to seven airports (blue) across our CWA to include Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport.
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Student Volunteer Overview
The Student Volunteer Program involves working with forecast operations staff at NWS Twin Cities in Chanhassen, MN. Student volunteers have the opportunity to under the oversight of an NWS Meteorologist: collect meteorological data, issue NWS products, and work on a research project.
The student volunteer program also offers the potential opportunities of in-person experiences such as: participating in an outreach event, seeing the radar, weather balloon launch, going on an Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS) preventative maintenance trip, etc.). The selected student will have a designated mentor as a point of contact, but will have the opportunity to work with several operational staff on any given shift.
Student Volunteers can expect to work in-person shifts ranging between 10-15 hours per week. The volunteer may have the option to occasionally work virtually if they choose.
Minimum Qualifications
- Must be a U.S. Citizen
- Be able to commit 10-15 hours a week in-person at NWS Twin Cities office in Chanhassen, MN.
- Currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program in meteorology or a related field
- Examples include (but not limited to): Atmospheric Science, Environmental Science, Climatology, Hydrology.
- Be in good academic standing as defined by the educational institution (at least a 2.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale).
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Application Process
The application period for 2025 Summer Volunteer has closed
Selections are typically made within four weeks of the application close date which was February 14 this year. Students selected to participate in the student volunteer program will be required to complete a background check prior to the program start date.
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Meet the Volunteer Team
Nick Carletta Lead Forecaster, Student Volunteer Program Lead
Nick is currently a Lead Meteorologist at the NWS WFO in the Twin Cities. He joined the NWS in 2017 at WFO Grand Forks and joined WFO Twin Cities in 2020. Prior to joining the NWS, he worked at a private forecasting company, DTN, and was a scientific programmer for an aerosol remote sensing algorithm at NASA Goddard. He has been a part of the student volunteer program since his first year and looks forward to welcoming a new group each year!
Brent Hewett Meteorologist, Student Volunteer Program Assistant
Brent is currently a meteorologist at the NWS Twin Cities weather forecast office. He joined the NWS in 2019 at the Twin Cities location. He previously served as a student volunteer at the NWS Northern Lower Michigan office (APX) during the summer of 2016 while studying at Central Michigan University. He looks forward to working with the next batch of students!
Ryan Dunleavy Meteorologist, Student Volunteer Program Assistant
Ryan started with NWS Twin Cities in March of 2022 as a student pathways intern then converted to operations full-time in January 2023. While as a student, he also served as a student volunteer at the Duluth, MN and Jacksonville, FL weather forecast offices. In addition to his operational forecasting duties, he also serves as the focal point for the office's Upper Air and Storm Verification Programs.
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Additional Opportunities
Job Shadow Opportunities
Job shadowing opportunities are available to currently enrolled students at high school or college/university academic levels. This opportunity is a one-time visit where the student joins an NWS Twins Cities Meteorologist on shift for up to two hours. The primary objective of a job shadow visit is for the student to understand daily operations within the National Weather Service, as well as other professions within the organization that fall outside of meteorology. For inquiries or requests to arrange a job shadow opportunity, please email: nws.twincities@noaa.gov .
Not A Current Student?
For those interested in meteorology and are not a current high school or college student, our office does hold group tours throughout the year. You can inquire at nws.twincities@noaa.gov about being added to the tour list. Additionally, more information can be found many career opportunities within the NWS here
- Note: Any job shadow arrangement is weather dependent and could be cancelled or rescheduled on short notice.
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.
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 below:
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 below:
