Student Opportunities at NWS Fort Worth

National Weather Service Forecast offices regularly provide opportunities for college students to gain valuable work experience, both as paid employees and as unpaid volunteers. Many NWS employees participated in such programs themselves when they were students and remain grateful for the experience. For this reason, they understand how beneficial such programs can be, and they are eager to return the favor. This is true even if a student ends up not working for the National Weather Service.

Of course, the NWS benefits greatly from these programs as well. Not only do we gain a little extra help for a few months, but we also give potential future employees a running start toward a successful NWS career. When deciding which recent graduate to hire, a manager in the NWS often would like to select someone who has actual NWS experience -- and the positive recommendations to go with it!

There are several avenues by which students can participate in operations at WFO Fort Worth. The most immersive avenue is to participate in our student volunteer program, details for this program are below. We also offer students an opportunity to shadow forecast operations for a day, usually from about 10 am to 6 pm. Outside of these avenues, our office is available for tours.

Student volunteer program

Like the rest of the National Weather Service, WFO Fort Worth values the talents and enthusiasm of college students and recent graduates who aspire to careers in the National Weather Service. We recognize the important role they can play as future employees, and we strive to support them in their quest to enter our agency. We do this primarily by creating volunteer opportunities at WFO Fort Worth.

The Student Volunteer Program offers work experience related to the participant's academic field of study. Students have an opportunity to explore their career options and to develop both professional and personal skills.

Work hours for student volunteers

We understand that student volunteers have many other commitments, including their academic work and perhaps actual paid employment. For this reason, we are flexible about the hours and time-frame volunteers work. Most of our volunteers are expected to appear in the office for 5 days a week during a 2-4 week period during the summer months. However, we are flexible and will work with you if you if there extenuating circumstances.

We recommend that students work at at least part of their time during normal business hours, Monday through Friday. This gives the student greater exposure to a wider variety of weather and potentially allows the student to interact with a greater number of forecasters. A student will spend their work time on a variety of activities. Especially at first, some of the time will be spent shadowing forecasters and other staff members. Eventually, the student will work on specific local office projects.

Earning college credit as a volunteer

Students may wish to check with their academic advisor about earning credit toward graduation for the time they spend volunteering. Specific policies vary by institution. For example, some schools may require the student to work more than 8 hours per week in order to earn credit. Otherwise, it does not matter to the NWS whether a student is volunteering for credit or not.

Rules and regulations for volunteers

All volunteers must be actively enrolled in a college program or be a recent graduate. The National Weather Service, as an agency of the United States Department of Commerce (DOC), is bound by the laws, policies, guidelines, and procedures regarding voluntary and uncompensated services as summarized in DOC Administrative Order 202-311. This is important information for potential volunteers. For example, Section 2.03.d in this document explains the citizenship requirements for volunteers: "If an agency may not hire citizens of a particular country, citizens of that country may not serve as student volunteers." Also note the Student Volunteer Agreement at the bottom of that document. The first point requires that: "The student is enrolled at least half time at an accredited school, is recommended by the school, and is acceptable to the agency."  All prospective volunteers will also be required to complete the necessary paperwork and security forms before being allowed to spend time at the NWS office.

Shadow operations for a day

If you are a college student interested in shadowing our forecast operations for a day, please send an email to our Science and Operations Officer, David Bonnette, at david.bonnette@noaa.gov. In most cases, we do not offer shadow opportunities to high school students.

How to apply for a student volunteer position at NWS Fort Worth

Fill out the application form by February 28th, 2025.

Positions will be competitively selected with applicants notified of their selection or non-selection in mid to late March. If you have questions about the application, student volunteer program, please send an email to David Bonnette, the Science and Operations Officer, at david.bonnette@noaa.gov