Phase III: Operational Shifts G – 615-915am / Q 330-900pm QC Hydro Data

1. The University at Albany / WFO Student Experience Developing Tomorrow’s National Weather Service Meteorologists Raymond G. O’Keefe, AMIC and Warren R. Snyder, SOORaymond.Okeefe@noaa.gov and Warren.Snyder@noaa.govNOAA/National Weather Service – Albany, NY Introduction • University at Albany Department of Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences students (typically Juniors) participate in a year-long academic course (Atmospheric Science 490) designed to provide them with a complete WFO experience • Provide NWS with highly qualified, trained, diverse candidates for entry level positions • Students enhance local research, outreach and focal point programs • Students work, train, mentor with almost all office staff members • Developed and Managed by SOO • Students work 2-4 shifts per week after training Phase I: Independent Study • Orientation, HSPD-12 Requirements, Safety, IT Security, Diversity Training • Learning AWIPS, WSR88D, CRS, GHG Systems, through readings and hands on sessions • Training on Upper Air System and Operations • DLOC Course Sections • Radar Applications Using AWIPS • WFO Student Guide • Office Proficiency, DLOC, AWIPS and Upper Air Phase II: Classroom Activities on Campus/at Home • Six MetED Courses – including Hydrology • NWSTC TAF Online Course • Nowcast Guide • Directives/Policy: 10-813 TAFS Student Success Stories Phase III: Operational Shifts • G – 615-915am / Q 330-900pm • QC Hydro Data • Participate in Upper Air Release • Prepare NOWCASTS under supervision • Prepare student AFD, SFC Analysis, Practice TAFS • Answer phones, call spotters, interact with customers • E – Prepare Extended grids with NWS Intern • M – Mesomet/Aviation • Aviation program overview, prepare practice TAFS • A – Midnight – Overview of digital forecast process, preparing some products, understanding shift work Operational and Experiential Training • WES Cases • Grids Population of the EFP • COOP Trip with CPM • ASOS, WSR88D Site with ET • Learn about non-conventional NWS Jobs/Opportunities • Smart Tools w/ITO • AWIPS Hydro Training with 1-on-1 by SSH • Minimum 60 hours participation on office research or focal point projects Where Are They Now? Student Diversity • 46 or 26% of Graduates are Women • Much higher than percentage of women in current NWS workforce • 30 Graduates work for the NWS • Juneau, Alaska to Key West, Florida • Caribou, Maine to Pueblo, Colorado Kimberly G. Sutkevich Meteorologist Intern WFO Albany 2009-2010 Class Alicia A. Smith Meteorologist Intern WFO Pittsburgh • ATM 490: Spring 2004 • WFO Albany STEP: May 2004-May 2005 • U Albany Graduation: May 15, 2005 • Meteorologist Intern: U.S. Army, Dugway, UT, August 2005-April 2007 • Meteorologist Intern: NWS, Albany, NY, April 2007-present (l. to r.) Katherine Linnernbach, Bonnie Anderson, Rihaan Gangat, Sara Ganetis, Alicia Bentley, Deborah Lucia, Brittnie Stull, Jenifer Diana 170 Graduates since 1994 • ATM 490: Spring 2006 • WFO Albany STEP: June 2006-May 2007 • U Albany Graduation: May 18, 2007 • Ithaca College: MBA, May 15, 2008 • Meteorologist Intern: NWS, Pittsburgh, PA, June 2009-present