METEOROLOGICAL TECHNICIAN Job in Des Moines, IA

Vacancy No. IA-12829119-AF-26-021 Department Air National Guard Units
Salary $61,607.00 to $80,087.00 Grade 9 to 9
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 11/6/2025 Close Date 11/20/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Status Candidates
Locations:
Des Moines, IA


Summary

IOWA AIR NATIONAL GUARD - TITLE 32 EXCEPTED SERVICE POSITION
This position is open to current military members of the 132d Wing, Des Moines, Iowa Air National Guard

LOCATION: 132d Wing, Des Moines, Iowa

This job is open to

National Guard and reserves

Current members, those who want to join or transitioning military members.

Clarification from the agency

This position is open to current members of the 132d Wing, Iowa Air National Guard

Duties

As a METEOROLOGICAL TECHNICIAN, GS-1341-9 your duties are below;

  1. Provides complex operational weather support to Air Force, Army, Reserve, Guard and other DoD customers in the form of Mission Execution Forecasts (MEF). Analyzes climatic regimes, geography, terrain, weather system characteristics, centralized weather products, and indigenous surface and upper air reports to forecast weather conditions for all parts of mission to include takeoff, route, target and landing for locations worldwide. Considers aircraft operating thresholds and hazards applicable to aircraft and aerial delivery systems in advising aircrews on possible impact on takeoff, route, target, and landings. Applies physical and meteorological factors in assessing the impact on specific terminal aerodromes, assault strips, landing zones, extractions zones, and land and water drop zones. Advises senior staff officers and mission commanders of possible weather impact and provides assistance in making go/no go weather decisions for impending air and ground operations.
  2. Observes current local and world-wide environmental conditions. Evaluates records and transmits surface weather observations. Operates atmospheric instruments, weather radar and meteorological computer workstations, and utilizes satellite imagery and products provided by military, national, and international weather agencies. Uses detailed understanding of the atmosphere and space environment to translate raw data into useful military intelligence information. Issues advisories, watches, and warnings to alert users of dangerous or inclement weather. Works to minimize weather team limitations and maximize meteorological support capability to customers. Plans, tailors, and recommends upgrades to weather support architecture to suit mission requirements. Ensures weather team operating procedures support customer requirements and complies with higher echelon directives. Interacts with higher echelon weather support teams arranging product flow and defines weather team requirements.
  3. Identifies, evaluates, and monitors significant weather developments, especially as they present potential impacts on critical flight operations. Discusses the location, intensity, movement, and development potential of weather features. Provides technical guidance and instructions to technical employees in the preparation of special mission forecasts as required. Participates in daily meteorological briefings to squadron personnel.
  4. Identifies and evaluates data sources for applicability and quality; operating communications and meteorological equipment to perform automated and interactive point selection; and initiates computer generated graphic sequences to accurately load, evaluate and display meteorological charts, alphanumeric data and statistical model output. Solves a variety of meteorological problems and interprets and adapts precedents or guidelines requiring departures from previous approaches to similar projects to accommodate specialized requirements such as special missions or flights or base missions. Maintains awareness of Communication Security (COMSEC)/Operations Security (OPSEC)/Computer Security (COMPUSEC) requirements to ensure that no classified information is released to unauthorized personnel and that classified information is properly protected.
  5. Provides technical guidance and instructions to lower graded fulltime technicians and traditional military employees. Solves a variety of meteorological problems with other production personnel. Answers request for technical information regarding regional products from field meteorologists, DOD customers and other users. Participates in technical briefings, conferences and meetings as required. Provides meteorological assistance and resolves most technical problems during the production process. Recommends techniques, methods and procedures to enlarge and improve the unit's forecasting capabilities.
  6. Provides weather briefings for local, transient and other supported aircrews in person or by telephone or closed circuit television. Modifies forecasts developed by other activities to provide information on exact conditions expected to be encountered by the aircraft for projected timeframe for the area of operation. Researches climatology data to provide information and prepare briefings. Researches and maintains meteorological studies and reviews.
  7. Observes, encodes, records, disseminates and evaluates weather observations. Observes weather phenomena, encodes and records the observation following established instructions and guides using computer-based systems in weather station. Disseminates weather observations using the system and/or other local procedures. Assists unit personnel by issuing and tracking weather advisories as required.
  8. Performs other duties as assigned or required. D1817000

Requirements

Conditions of employment

NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERSHIP IS REQUIRED: This is an excepted position that requires military membership in a compatible military assignment in the Iowa Air National Guard. Selectee will be required to wear the military uniform. Acceptance of this excepted position constitutes concurrence with these requirements as a condition of employment.

APPLICATION MATERIALS MUST BE RECEIVED BY 11/20/2025 . FAILURE TO PROVIDE COMPLETE INFORMATION MAY RESULT IN YOUR NOT RECEIVING CONSIDERATION FOR THIS POSITION. Please refer to the Qualifications and Evaluations Section of this Announcement to understand the qualification requirements, and the How to Apply Section for detailed instruction on applying.

TRIAL PERIOD REQUIREMENT: As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 2-year trial period or 1-year (Veterans Preference Eligibles Only) during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

  • Your performance and conduct.
  • The needs and interests of the agency.
  • Whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
  • Whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
Upon completion of your trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

SECURITY CLEARANCE REQUIREMENT: Employment is subject to attaining and maintaining a clearance as required by this position. If the selectee does not possess the applicable security clearance when hired, application must be made within 30 days of the start date. Failure to make application for the required security clearance will result in termination of employment.

Failure to complete prescribed courses may be cause for reassignment or termination of FTS.

Military Rank Requirements: ENLISTED MEMBERS (E-5 to E-6)

Qualifications

In describing your experience, please be clear and specific. We will not make assumptions regarding your experience. Applicants who do not fully address the minimum/specialized experience needed for the position in their resume will not be referred for consideration.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Experience measuring meteorological phenomena with scientific equipment and instrumentation. 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. Collecting, analyzing, interpreting, adjusting, and verifying atmospheric and other meteorological data to confirm and improve accuracy and efficacy.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: GS-1341-9: Must have experience in the following:

  • 1-year equivalent to at least next lower grade level experience, education, or training in applying principles and procedures of various meteorological models and forecasting techniques.
  • Experience collecting, analyzing, interpreting, and evaluating numerous meteorological and oceanographic charts, planning, organizing and coordinating work

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

ENLISTMENT CASH BONUSES: Acceptance of a technician position may affect any bonus and/or educational assistance that may be applicable. Please contact your Education Office prior to accepting a position with the Iowa Army National Guard.
Participation in direct deposit is mandatory.

If you are a male applicant born after 12/31/1959 and are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act, the Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that you are not eligible for appointment in this agency (https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx).

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Once the announcement has closed, your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine if you meet the qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are found to be among the qualified candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required for this position:

  • Knowledge of meteorological methods, techniques and practices including weather observing, forecasting, communications, meteorological equipment and support procedures in determining how local and world-wide conditions, reports and observations from various sources affect world-wide weather forecasts, the extent of change, and whether to take action to protect aircraft.
  • Skill in the development and operation of data collection, verification, information dissemination, observation and forecasting services and systems.
  • Skill in providing effective weather briefings to senior staff and DoD customers.

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:

  1. Your resume showing work schedule, hours worked per week, dates (format should include Month and Year) of employment and duties performed.
  2. Additional Supporting Documents (if applicable): Cover Letter, Transcripts, DD 214, SF-50, ect.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.

A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration.

To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.

Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.

After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.

You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.

To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.

Agency contact information

Christopher Powders
Phone
515-252-4677 X4677
Email
christopher.l.powders.civ@army.mil
Address
IA 132nd Wing
3100 McKinley Ave
Des Moines, IA 50321-2799
US

Next steps

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated by the Human Resources Office to determine your eligibility for the position. After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.