Meteorological Technician (Winter Seasonal)

Job Details

Qualifications & Requirements

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-08/18/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. To receive credit for experience, your 2-page resume MUST clearly indicate the nature of the duties and responsibilities for each position, starting and ending dates of employment (month/year), and the resume must reflect full and/or part-time or total number of hours worked (i.e., work 40+ hours a week, rather than indicating full-time). If part-time, the hours must be annotated to be able to pro-rate the amount of qualified specialized experience. Resumes must not exceed two single-sided pages and resumes longer than two pages will not be accepted. You may only submit one resume. Only the document submitted as the "Resume" under the Documents section will be used to determine your qualifications/eligibility and for rating purposes. In the event you submit more than one resume, only the latest submission will be reviewed. SELECTIVE FACTORS: Due to the technical nature of avalanche science the position requires Professional Avalanche Training at the level II or equivalent (Examples: Recreation Level II Avalanche and Professional Avalanche Level 1). Candidates who do not meet these requirements by close of this announcement will receive no further consideration for this position. -AND- Due to the remoteness of the work locations and the need for prompt emergency medical assistance, this position requires certification as a Wilderness First Responder along with CPR certification.is required. Candidates who do not meet this requirement by close of this announcement will receive no further consideration for this position. To qualify for this position at the GS-07 grade level, you must possess one of the following: A: One full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-6 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). This experience includes activities such as: measuring meteorological phenomena with scientific equipment and instrumentation; conducting field snow stability tests and observations; evaluating weather maps, products, and data for determining avalanche forecasts; observing and recording atmospheric characteristics, i.e., temperature, air movement, visibility, pressure, air density, cloud types; decoding, plotting, and systematically recording data related to the physical characteristics of the atmosphere, i.e., charts, diagrams, cross sections; or collecting, analyzing, interpreting, adjusting, and verifying atmospheric and other meteorological data to confirm and improve accuracy and efficacy. . You must include hours per week worked. -OR- B: Successful completion of one full year of graduate level education with a major study in a related field such as atmospheric science, meteorology, or other fields of study directly related to the position. You must include transcripts in your application materials. -OR- C: Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. You must include transcripts. Volunteer Experience: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. ICTAP/CTAP Statement: Current surplus and current or former displaced Federal individuals who have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) must be well qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection. Well qualified means that the applicant meets the following: OPM qualification standards for the position; all selective placement factors, where applicable; special qualifying conditions that OPM has approved for the position, where applicable; is physically qualified with reasonable accommodation, where appropriate to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry; and is rated by the organization at least at the well qualified level on all competencies.

Position Overview

Likely entry on duty: October - November 2026. Open to the first 100 applicants. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 (EST) on 08/18/2026 to be considered. For more park(s) information, select "Learn more about this agency" below:

Duties

• Utilizes cross country skis under harsh backcountry conditions on steep and rugged mountainous terrain. Collects and records daily snow, avalanche, and weather observations from avalanche paths affecting Yellowstone Park roads, Enters information into database. Evaluates National Weather Service and Natural Resource Service products and data from automated mountain weather stations for inclusion in the avalanche forecasts. Conducts field snow stability tests and observations, and in conjunction with other observations from field personnel. Independently interprets and evaluates snow stability and issues daily avalanche hazard forecasts and warnings which are available to park personnel. Determines when/if avalanche hazard mitigation is needed. Using own judgement and experience, determines when avalanche conditions have changed sufficiently to recommend a change in existing avalanche hazard ratings. Responsible for determining road closures and reopening based on avalanche danger and weather conditions. Participates in avalanche hazard mitigations as a forecaster and/or howitzer team member. In the event of avalanche accident, serves as a first responder for rescues and/or prepares detailed reports of the accident and response operations. Develops and teaches avalanche safety training classes for park employees and partners. This position will be located at one of two possible locations, depending on operational needs and available housing. Lake Area Information: This position may be located at Yellowstone Lake in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, elevation 7,750 feet, 52 miles south of park headquarters at Mammoth. Temperatures of -20 degrees Fahrenheit are not uncommon in winter. Lake is a Yellowstone interior duty location. The road to this location is not plowed after the first weekend in November, and the location is only reachable by snowmobile or snow coach November through April. A pool of snowmobiles for personal use is available on a reservation system. The US Mail is delivered approximately twice a week in the winter. Schools are available outside the park. Many community services are available at Cody, Wyoming, 80 miles driving distance to the east. While there are challenges with life in Yellowstone's interior during the winter, there are also exceptional winter recreational opportunities and few places on earth can rival the superlative resource conditions and ecological integrity experienced in Yellowstone's interior. Government housing will be provided, at employee cost. East Area Information: This position may be located at the East Entrance in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, elevation 6,950 feet, 79 miles from park headquarters at Mammoth. Temperatures of -20 degrees Fahrenheit are not uncommon in winter. East Entrance is considered an isolated post and few employees are stationed there. Many community services are available in Cody, WY, 53 miles to the east on US Hwy 14/16/20 which includes shopping, a hospital, schools, and museums. The road east of the station is plowed year-round and was described by President Theodore Roosevelt as the 50 most beautiful miles in America. Schools are only available outside the park. East entrance is surrounded by outstanding recreational opportunities both inside the park and outside the park in Shoshone National Forest. Starting in the Fall, the road to this location is not plowed after the end of November, and the location is only reachable by snowmobile late November through early April. A pool of snowmobiles for personal use is available but use may be affected by other priorities. Medical services, grocery shopping, banking, entertainment, UPS, and other delivery services are NOT available in the winter in the interior of the park. The residential area is only accessible by oversnow vehicles. Although this isolation is acceptable to some employees, many soon find it a hardship for themselves and their families. We strongly suggest you thoroughly investigate the winter lifestyle characteristics in Yellowstone National Park interior sites. Government housing will be provided, at employee cost.