Brief Description of Major Duties

Taken directly from the position descriptions for WCM GS-13 and WCM GS-14 as written by NOAA Human Resources, the following are some of the duties of the WCM.

Conducts area-wide evaluations of WFO products and services - This involves ensuring your office's products and services are generated according to established NWSH and Regional directives while providing a use for your customers. Your customers include the media, land managers, emergency managers and the general public. In fact, it is safe to say that everyone is a customer. Whether accessing weather information via your web site, local radio and television or, NOAA Weather Radio, customers range from the most experienced and meteorologically savvy to those who simply want to know if it's going to rain after they wash their car.

Conducts a WFO area-wide preparedness program - This involves ensuring all people within your County Warning Area (CWA) are aware of the weather hazards which threaten their safety and their property and are prepared to take action if and when these threats become reality.

Teaching is paramount in this endeavor. Media and emergency managers must be high on your priority list of those to teach. These resources have the greatest potential impact on the general public because of their ability to disseminate information widely and quickly and because of their first response capabilities.

Conducts a WFO area-wide preparedness planning and citizen education effort with and through various local and state agencies and organizations - This involves conducting education and training courses with the local schools and clubs (i.e., Lion's Clubs) in your CWA. There truly are no limits on whom you can help become more educated and aware of the weather threats in your CWA.

For more information, read the Directives on service outreach (NWSI - 10-18) at:

• Warning Coordination and Hazard Awareness
• StormReady and TsunamiReady Recognition Programs
• Service Education and Feedback
• Service Outreach Reporting Requirements

Serves as Senior Forecaster on shift duty in his/her absence, performing the full range of responsibilities of that position. This work may comprise approximately 25% of the time - This helps ensure you are adept at forecast operations including warning, dissemination and infrastructure capabilities. Further, in order to gage how effectively your forecast and warning operations are, you must have first hand, expert knowledge of these operations.

Leads or participates in the conduct of local staff hydrometeorological studies and developmental projects designed to capitalize on or incorporate the benefits of new science/technology/local techniques towards enhancing WFO preparedness objectives - This involves working with your service hydrologist/hydrology focal point, Science and Operations Officer, forecast staff and the Meteorologist in Charge to maximize the effectiveness of any training, review or station drill projects. Learning from past events is a proven technique and should be embraced.

When designated, acts for the MIC during his/her absence, with full technical, managerial, and administrative responsibility for WFO programs, products, and services - A knowledge of Labor and Management policies, management techniques, office procedures and policies, staffing issues and Regional Headquarters protocol are paramount for you to be successful in this capacity. Under your leadership, the office is expected to maintain a high level of service.