Advance your career with us
OPENINGS | Internships | Forecasters | Strategic Media   

Applying to become a member of team is centered on your level of interest, passion for weather & climate, and ability to collaborate. For any location in North America, applicants can apply for starting a zone in their state, join an existing team, or be an Affiliate Forecaster and collaborate with us during major events on a regional level. You're not limited to forecasting, but can expand to weather videos or graphic design to marketing and promotions.

WEATHER IS ONLY ONE PART 

We have opportunities in a mosaic of venues within our team including climate, weather, space science, emergency management. We also seek innovators in media, public relations, graphic design and more. Visit the Strategic Media Application Page for opportunities. (Photo: L to R: Forecaster Amanda Brioche, attending Miami University for Meteorology, and Meteorologist Randall J., a Florida Int; University graduate at a Nov 2011 team meeting in Miami, Florida. Both forecast on our South Florida Page.)

HOW TO GET STARTED

For high school or college students, you will need to identify two references, and list them in your application. One of which would be a trusted adult, teacher, scientist or employer to serve as your local advisor. Your second reference can be a parent or family member who is an effective writer. (Photo: L to R: Director of Strategic Media Diandre Williams, Baltimore County Science Teacher Ryan Helcoski, Forecaster Evan S.; Aug 2011)

Send in your application for review, so our Outreach Team can initiate the training process, while you are working to obtain your recommendation letters. The writer of your 2-3 paragraph reference should include:

• An example of your passion for weather & science or media & technology 
• A statement on your maturity and ability to collaborate in a team. 
• Contact email and phone number for our team if we have questions.

APPLICATION CRITERIA & PROCEDURE

Email to Director of Team Operations Aaron Salter:

(aaron.salter@footsforecast.org)

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

• College level: Freshman to grad student or post-doctoral;
• High school: Sophomore to senior; (9th grade apprentices can start at 15)
• Work-force weather enthusiasts/professionals or looking for work; 
• Meteorologists (active or retired) seeking to be a Forecast Advisor;
• Educators or those in the workforce seeking a mentoring role;                                     

PREFERRED BACKGROUND (for student forecasters)

• Some knowledge of surface and upper level weather
• Some experience in website/blogging/graphic design
• Available 30 min/day 2-3 times a week for online training
• Able to write a conversational but brief and locally relevant forecast that highlights the unique conditions and culture of your area.

1. INTRODUCTION In one or two paragraphs, tell us either:

A) What drives your passion for science, outdoors, weather or forecasting

OR

B) A significant weather event which impacted your life.

2. DETAILS If applying as a Forecaster, a bullet list describing:

• The geographic region you wish to cover and why
• Three talents, skills or advantages you can offer our readership
• A brief overview of your academic background 
• Three activities you do outside the weather (sports, clubs, etc.)

3. FORECASTS Provide a 3-day forecast for your multi-county area, including three cities which would be in your zone. Review and be familiar with our "conversational" style used by our forecasters in facebook to guide to how you should write.

Your application will be reviewed by college students, high school lead forecasters and professional meteorologists. The Outreach Team wishes to see how you can "de-mystify" a complex weather situation using everyday language, instead of acronyms and technical terms. In the Facebook search feature, enter "Foot's Forecast" and a variety of options will appear as examples of how our multi-state team publishes forecasts.

Forecast format: Today, Tonight, Tomorrow Night and Looking Ahead.

4. REFERENCES Please have two individuals submit to us via email within three weeks of your application a  two-paragraph letter of reference on your behalf. The writer is to include a contact number.

• If between grades 9-12: Options include a parent or guardian AND a current/former science teacher of yours OR an Assistant Principal. Context of the letter is to know a professional with your school system is aware of your application and can vouch for your eligibility for our team.

• If in college: A Professor, Academic Advisor, or fellow student in the same field of study at the same college;

• If at home or in the workforce: A member of your family or a colleague who is aware and can vouch for your background in weather and forecasting.

QUESTIONS? Before you apply, email any questions to Nikki Byers, our Director of the Forecaster Outreach (nikki.byers AT footsforecast.org) If you or your parents are interested in further details, we can arrange for a conference call to speak with a Team Advisor and a Lead Forecaster. We look forward to reading your application and collaborating with you!

Mr. Rich Foot, Chairman and CEO
Mr. Keith Krichinsky, Chief Operating Officer
Mr. Forrest Palmer, Student Outreach Advisor
Aaron Salter, Team Operations Director
Daniel Ross, Southeast Team / Tropical Team Director
Nikki Byers, Director of Forecaster Outreach