Physics Laboratory Assistant Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

This Standing Register Job Announcement establishes an applicant pool under Direct Hire Authority 5 CFR 337.205(b) to fill full-time permanent positions at multiple NWS locations as vacancies occur. The announcement will remain open as stated in the vacancy notice. For consideration during the current review cycle, applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on July 12, 2026.

Applications received after the cutoff may be considered during future review cycles. Applicants remain eligible for consideration for up to six months after the announcement closes or until they withdraw. Applicants who withdraw may reapply for future referrals. Eligible applicants may also be considered for additional vacancies as new certificates are issued.

After the announcement closes, applicants may submit documentation of additional qualifications earned after the closing date to noaa.applicantinquiries@noaa.gov. This information may be considered for up to six months following the closing date.

Incomplete resumes, unsupported questionnaire responses, or missing required documentation may result in an applicant being rated ineligible or not qualified. Applicants may update their application for future cutoff dates.

Qualification requirements are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must meet the positive education requirement and specialized experience requirement (or applicable education substitution/combination). Transcripts must be submitted.

To qualify for the 1340 Meteorology series:

EDUCATION:
A. Degree in Meteorology, Atmospheric Science, or another natural science major that includes:

• At least 24 semester (36 quarter) hours in meteorology/atmospheric science, including:
  • 6 semester hours in atmospheric dynamics and thermodynamics
  • 6 semester hours in analysis and prediction of weather systems (synoptic/mesoscale)
  • 3 semester hours in physical meteorology
  • 2 semester hours in remote sensing of the atmosphere and/or instrumentation
• 6 semester hours of physics, including at least one laboratory course.
• 3 semester hours of ordinary differential equations.
• 9 semester hours in appropriate physical science coursework, including three or more of the following: physical hydrology, statistics, chemistry, physical oceanography, physical climatology, radiative transfer, aeronomy, advanced thermodynamics, advanced electricity and magnetism, light and optics, or computer science.

Calculus coursework appropriate for a physical science major is required as a prerequisite or corequisite for atmospheric dynamics and thermodynamics, physics, and differential equations.

OR

B. Combination of education and experience that includes the required coursework above.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower federal grade level. Specialized experience is experience that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform the position duties. Qualifying experience may include paid or unpaid work, including volunteer service.
GS-05:
Applicants who meet the basic education requirement qualify at the GS-05 level.

GS-07:
In addition to the basic requirements, applicants must meet one of the following:

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-05, including:

• Using current hydro-meteorological data to monitor conditions and assist with forecast preparation for weather, water, or climate hazards.

OR

EDUCATION: One full year of graduate-level education in Meteorology, Atmospheric Science, or a related field.

OR

SUPERIOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT: A bachelor's degree with one of the following:

• GPA of 3.0 or higher overall or during the final two years of undergraduate study;
• GPA of 3.5 or higher in major coursework;
• Upper third ranking in graduating class; or
• Membership in a qualifying national scholastic honor society.

OR

COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: A combination of graduate education and specialized experience may satisfy requirements.

GS-09:
In addition to the basic requirements, applicants must meet one of the following:

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-07, including:

• Using advanced hydro-meteorological data to monitor a geographic area and assist in preparing and issuing warnings, advisories, outlooks, and forecasts for weather, water, or climate hazards.

OR

EDUCATION: Master's degree or equivalent graduate degree in Meteorology, Atmospheric Science, or a related field, or two years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree.

OR

COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: A combination of qualifying graduate education and specialized experience may satisfy requirements. Only graduate education beyond the amount required for the next lower grade level may be combined with experience.

College Transcript: If you are qualifying based on education, submit a copy of your college transcript that lists college courses detailing each course by the number and department (i.e., Bio 101, Math 210, etc.), name of accredited institution, course title, number of credit hours and grade earned. You must submit evidence that any education completed in a foreign institution is equivalent to U.S. education standards with your resume. You may submit an unofficial copy of the transcript at the initial phase of the application process. If course content cannot be easily identified from the title of the course as listed on your transcript, you must submit an official course description from the college/university that reflects the content at the time the course was taken.
Note: Your college transcript is used to verify successful completion of degree, or college course work. An official college transcript will be required before you can report to duty.
Education completed in colleges or universities outside the United States may be used to meet the above requirements. You must provide acceptable documentation that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. For more information on how foreign education is evaluated, visit: OPM Foreign Education Evaluation.