Meteorological Development Laboratory (MDL) Student Career Experience Program (SCEP)

Meteorological Development Meteorological Development Laboratory (MDL)Laboratory (MDL)

Student Career Experience Student Career Experience Program (SCEP)Program (SCEP)

Laura CutrerLaura CutrerStudent Career Experience Program CoordinatorStudent Career Experience Program Coordinator

[email protected]@noaa.gov

http://http://www.weather.gov/mdl/coop/coop.phpwww.weather.gov/mdl/coop/coop.php

http://www.weather.gov/mdl/coop/coop.php

http://www.weather.gov/mdl/coop/coop.php

Student Career Experience ProgramStudent Career Experience Program

Table of ContentsTable of Contents

1.1. Program DescriptionProgram Description

2.2. What Students Will DoWhat Students Will Do

3.3. MDL ProjectsMDL Projects

4.4. Application RequirementsApplication Requirements

5.5. The Hiring ProcessThe Hiring Process

6.6. The Successful SCEP CandidateThe Successful SCEP Candidate

7.7. Working At MDLWorking At MDL

8.8. Student BenefitsStudent Benefits

9.9. FAQFAQ

10.10. Helpful URLsHelpful URLs


Program DescriptionProgram Description

Alternate full-time employment and studyAlternate full-time employment and study The appointment is for at least 12 monthsThe appointment is for at least 12 months

– Students typically start off working full-time for 6 consecutive Students typically start off working full-time for 6 consecutive monthsmonths

– Students may work during class breaksStudents may work during class breaks

– Students may work part-time while attending school Students may work part-time while attending school

– Students may attend school full-time while on LWOPStudents may attend school full-time while on LWOP

– Students must complete the SCEP either concurrent with or Students must complete the SCEP either concurrent with or before their graduationbefore their graduation• Postponement of graduation may be requiredPostponement of graduation may be required



Work on MDL project(s) related to majorWork on MDL project(s) related to major MeteorologyMeteorology Computer ScienceComputer Science Information TechnologyInformation Technology MathematicsMathematics StatisticsStatistics PhysicsPhysics OceanographyOceanography



Gain valuable work experienceGain valuable work experience MDL has 5 branches and more than 50 staffMDL has 5 branches and more than 50 staff MDL has nearly 20 different projects underwayMDL has nearly 20 different projects underway


What Students Will DoWhat Students Will Do

Work alongside expertsWork alongside experts Develop and test softwareDevelop and test software Gain knowledge related to latest forecasting, Gain knowledge related to latest forecasting,

verification, and product generation techniquesverification, and product generation techniques


MDL ProjectsMDL Projects

Decision Assistance BranchDecision Assistance Branch Flash Flood Monitoring and Prediction (FFMP)Flash Flood Monitoring and Prediction (FFMP) Fog MonitorFog Monitor Four Dimensional Storm Investigator (FSI)Four Dimensional Storm Investigator (FSI) General User Alert Display Panel (GUARDIAN)General User Alert Display Panel (GUARDIAN) Local Storm Report Application (LSR)Local Storm Report Application (LSR) System for Convection Analysis and Nowcasting System for Convection Analysis and Nowcasting

(SCAN)(SCAN) System on AWIPS for Forecasting and Evaluation System on AWIPS for Forecasting and Evaluation

of Seas and Lakes (SAFESEAS)of Seas and Lakes (SAFESEAS)



Evaluation BranchEvaluation Branch AWIPS Verification ProgramAWIPS Verification Program Storm SurgeStorm Surge and Coastal Wave Applicationsand Coastal Wave Applications

– Sea, Lake, and Overland Surges from Hurricanes (SLOSH)Sea, Lake, and Overland Surges from Hurricanes (SLOSH)– Extra-tropical storm surgesExtra-tropical storm surges– Coastal wavesCoastal waves



MesoscaleMesoscale Prediction Branch Prediction Branch National Digital Forecast Database (NDFD)National Digital Forecast Database (NDFD) Local AWIPS Model Output Statistics Program Local AWIPS Model Output Statistics Program

(LAMP)(LAMP)



Product Generation BranchProduct Generation Branch Aviation Forecast Preparation System (AvnFPS)Aviation Forecast Preparation System (AvnFPS) Central Product GenerationCentral Product Generation Forecast UncertaintyForecast Uncertainty XML ServicesXML Services



Statistical Modeling BranchStatistical Modeling Branch Model Output Statistics (MOS)Model Output Statistics (MOS) Gridded MOSGridded MOS


Application RequirementsApplication Requirements

ApplicantApplicant Is pursing a college degree relevant to MDL projectsIs pursing a college degree relevant to MDL projects Is committed to at least 12 months of employmentIs committed to at least 12 months of employment Has a GPA of 2.0 overall and 2.5 in his/her majorHas a GPA of 2.0 overall and 2.5 in his/her major Is a United States citizenIs a United States citizen


The Hiring ProcessThe Hiring Process

MDL accepts SCEP applications throughout the yearMDL accepts SCEP applications throughout the yearInterviews usually take place in mid-Sept and mid-Feb Interviews usually take place in mid-Sept and mid-Feb HRMO makes all SCEP job offersHRMO makes all SCEP job offersJob offers typically occur in December and AprilJob offers typically occur in December and AprilStudents usually begin work in January and MayStudents usually begin work in January and MayRecruitment may occur to fill unanticipated vacanciesRecruitment may occur to fill unanticipated vacancies


The Successful SCEP The Successful SCEP CandidateCandidate

Has excellent gradesHas excellent gradesKnows C/C++, FORTRAN, PERL, Python, etc.Knows C/C++, FORTRAN, PERL, Python, etc.Has experience in software developmentHas experience in software development Class project(s)Class project(s) Summer job(s)Summer job(s)

Is interested in a career with the NWSIs interested in a career with the NWSLikes working with computer softwareLikes working with computer softwareKnows where they want to fit into MDLKnows where they want to fit into MDL


Working At MDLWorking At MDL

NWSH is located in Silver Spring, MDNWSH is located in Silver Spring, MD 18 story office building18 story office building Cubicle officesCubicle offices

MDL is on the 10MDL is on the 10thth & 11 & 11thth floors of NWSH floors of NWSHD.C. Metro & MARC rail are adjacent to NWSH D.C. Metro & MARC rail are adjacent to NWSH Government transportation subsidy availableGovernment transportation subsidy available

Limited assistance is available for locating housingLimited assistance is available for locating housing


Student BenefitsStudent Benefits

Gain full-time professional work experienceGain full-time professional work experienceConsolidate career decisionsConsolidate career decisionsEarn GS-4/GS-9 salary Earn GS-4/GS-9 salary Exploit promotion potentialExploit promotion potentialWork 120-days following graduation, if MDL agreesWork 120-days following graduation, if MDL agreesConvert to career conditional, if MDL endorsesConvert to career conditional, if MDL endorsesEarn sick and annual leaveEarn sick and annual leaveBecome eligible for retirement benefitsBecome eligible for retirement benefitsReceive travel expenses between school & workplaceReceive travel expenses between school & workplace


FAQFAQ

Eligibility RequirementsEligibility Requirements Q. How many times can a student be appointed to Q. How many times can a student be appointed to

the SCEP?the SCEP?

A. There is no limit on the number of times a A. There is no limit on the number of times a student may be appointed as long as he/she meets student may be appointed as long as he/she meets the eligibility requirement for the appointment.the eligibility requirement for the appointment.


FAQFAQ

Eligibility RequirementsEligibility Requirements Q. Must students be U.S. citizens at the time they Q. Must students be U.S. citizens at the time they

are appointed?are appointed?

A. No. However, many agencies are precluded from A. No. However, many agencies are precluded from hiring non-citizens by a ban in their appropriations hiring non-citizens by a ban in their appropriations act. Students who participate in the SCEP act. Students who participate in the SCEP cannot becannot be converted to career conditional employment in the converted to career conditional employment in the competitive service unless they are citizens at the competitive service unless they are citizens at the time of conversion.time of conversion.


FAQFAQ

Appointment TypeAppointment Type Q. Can a student appointed to the SCEP remain on Q. Can a student appointed to the SCEP remain on

the appointment once they have completed their the appointment once they have completed their educational requirements?educational requirements?

A. Yes. Those appointed to the SCEP may continue A. Yes. Those appointed to the SCEP may continue on the appointment for 120-days beyond the date of on the appointment for 120-days beyond the date of completing their work and academic requirements completing their work and academic requirements for graduation. At the end of the 120-days, if the for graduation. At the end of the 120-days, if the graduate has not been converted to a career graduate has not been converted to a career conditional position in the competitive service, then conditional position in the competitive service, then he/she he/she must bemust be separated. separated.


FAQFAQ

Classification/Pay TenureClassification/Pay Tenure Q. Do students get within-grade increases?Q. Do students get within-grade increases?

A. Yes. Students in the SCEP are eligible for within-A. Yes. Students in the SCEP are eligible for within-grade increases.grade increases.

Q. Can students be promoted?Q. Can students be promoted?

A. Yes, SCEP students may be promoted.A. Yes, SCEP students may be promoted.


FAQFAQ

Student SchedulesStudent Schedules Q. Must students work or attend school during the Q. Must students work or attend school during the

summer?summer?

A. Students are always either attending classes, A. Students are always either attending classes, working at the agency, or both. Agencies may working at the agency, or both. Agencies may permit a break in the program during which time the permit a break in the program during which time the student is neither attending classes or working. The student is neither attending classes or working. The agency would place the student on LWOP during agency would place the student on LWOP during this period. this period.


FAQFAQ

Conversion – SCEPConversion – SCEP Q. When does the 120-Day conversion window Q. When does the 120-Day conversion window

begin … upon completion of course requirements begin … upon completion of course requirements for graduation or on “graduation ceremony day”?for graduation or on “graduation ceremony day”?

A. Upon satisfactory completion of course A. Upon satisfactory completion of course requirements for graduation. requirements for graduation.


FAQFAQ

Conversion – SCEPConversion – SCEP Q. Can a student work any of the required 640 hours Q. Can a student work any of the required 640 hours

necessary for conversion, after he/she completes necessary for conversion, after he/she completes his/her educational requirements?his/her educational requirements?

A. The required work experience must be gained A. The required work experience must be gained prior to or concurrent with the completion of the prior to or concurrent with the completion of the student’s educational requirements for graduation.student’s educational requirements for graduation.


FAQFAQ

Conversion – SCEPConversion – SCEP Q. Is a student only eligible for non-competitive Q. Is a student only eligible for non-competitive

conversion in the agency where the student worked conversion in the agency where the student worked prior to the completion of his/her education?prior to the completion of his/her education?

A. No. A student is eligible to be non-competitively A. No. A student is eligible to be non-competitively converted in any federal agency. Check job listing converted in any federal agency. Check job listing on USAJOBS to find appropriate positions for on USAJOBS to find appropriate positions for graduated students.graduated students.


Helpful URLsHelpful URLs

http://www.weather.gov/mdl/http://www.weather.gov/mdl/http://http://www.weather.gov/mdl/coop/coop.phpwww.weather.gov/mdl/coop/coop.php

Laura Cutrer, W/OST24 Laura Cutrer, W/OST24

1325 East-West Highway1325 East-West Highway

SSMC2, Room 10318SSMC2, Room 10318

Silver Spring, Maryland 20910Silver Spring, Maryland 20910

Phone: (301) 713-0056 x185Phone: (301) 713-0056 x185

Fax: (301) 713-9316Fax: (301) 713-9316

Documents

Meteorological Development Laboratory (MDL) Student Career Experience Program (SCEP)