Atmospheric Scientist or Senior

Idaho Power Company•Boise, ID

12d•Onsite

About The Position

Idaho Power Company (IPC) — located in vibrant Boise, Idaho — is looking for an Atmospheric Scientist or Senior to join our Meteorology and Atmospheric Science team. It’s an exciting time to work for Idaho Power. Our work plays a critical role in communities we serve across Idaho and Oregon, and we’re working hard to safely provide our customers with the reliable, affordable, clean energy they depend on. This position is based at Idaho Power’s downtown Boise location. Relocation assistance may also be provided to the successful candidate. The Atmospheric Scientist supports Idaho Power Company (IPC)’s weather needs with limited guidance. The Atmospheric Scientist will lead moderately complex assignments and projects while interacting with various departments and weather users across Idaho Power. In addition to the meaningful work we do, we offer work-life balance, competitive pay and benefits, an employee incentive plan, and both a 401k employer-match and a pension plan, making Idaho Power one of the best employers in the state.

Requirements

Knowledge of: Applied atmospheric sciences, meteorology, hydrology, and climatology and how it pertains to a hydro-electric utility
Short, medium, and long-term (temperature and precipitation) forecasting
Weather analysis and forecasting techniques
Applied research methods and data management techniques to conduct meteorological research and development
Effects of orographics on wintertime weather systems and river system hydrology
Snowpack measurements and analysis used in temperature and quantitative precipitation forecasting, climate, and climate change
Renewable energy
Skills in: Planning and organizing
Time management
Weather and hydrologic analysis and forecasting
Effectively communicate weather information to non-meteorology customers, as well as other meteorology staff and contract meteorologists
Weather-related computer-programming languages such as Python, or other data-science-focused programming languages
Ability to: Produce short (days) and long (months) term weather forecasts including quantitative precipitation forecast and temperature to work with both fixed and irregular time constraints
Acquire and use atmospheric/meteorological data, synoptic and mesoscale models, and products to conduct mesoscale meteorological analysis and support specialized meteorological and hydrologic applications
Work under general direction, with considerable latitude, to carry out responsibilities
Plan and conduct assignments to conduct research, develop new techniques, produce operational forecasts for the business, operate and make real-time decisions for a winter weather modification program
Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record based on driving requirements for the position
Ability, willingness and flexibility to work long, irregular hours.
Atmospheric Scientist: Bachelor's degree in atmospheric science, physics, meteorology, or a related science
3 years of experience in the atmospheric sciences or meteorology related fields, in research, observing, forecasting or modeling
Senior Atmospheric Scientist: Bachelor's degree in atmospheric science, physics, meteorology, or a related science
7 years of experience in the atmospheric sciences or meteorology related fields, including experience in winter weather modification, renewable energy research, wildfire mitigation/science, and/or meteorological and hydrologic forecast integration

Nice To Haves

Mastery of theories and principals associated with theoretical and applied atmospheric science and meteorology
Applied research methods and data management techniques to conduct challenging meteorological research and development efforts
Experience with wildfire mitigation development and support
Long-term (temperature and precipitation) forecasting
Climatology
Snow pack measurements
Analysis used in temperature and quantitative precipitation forecasting, climate and climate change
Forecasting renewable energy including wind and solar
Winter weather modification.
Instrumentation, specialized sensors (including microwave radiometer, rawinsonde, and radars) and their data
Remote sensing
High performance computing systems, technical knowledge of weather models and management of large datasets
Identify productive areas for research and development of weather-based information products
Exercise a high degree of originality and judgement to define complex problems, act in a liaison capacity with other departments and/or external stakeholders, design and implementation of new forecasting techniques to include utilization of computer programming languages associated with atmospheric sciences, and implementation of meteorological forecasts into IPCs day to day operations
Analyze and interpret large datasets from weather models and observation networks
Master's degree in atmospheric science or physics, meteorology, or a related field
3 years of experience in operational meteorology with 1 season of meteorological and hydrologic integration, winter weather modification, wildfire mitigation/science, or renewable energy research
Have, or able to meet the requirements necessary for Certified Operator defined by the Weather Modification Association
Master's degree in atmospheric science, physics, meteorology, or a related field
10 years of experience in operational meteorology with 6 seasons of meteorological and hydrologic integration
Winter weather modification
Wildfire mitigation/science
Renewable energy research
Currently have or be able to meet the requirements necessary for Certified Operator defined by the Weather Modification Association

Responsibilities

Produce operational weather forecasts for wildfire mitigation, renewable and load forecasts, water supply forecasts, and weather modification operations
Produce short (days) and long (months) term weather forecasts including quantitative precipitation forecast and temperature to work with both fixed and irregular time constraints
Acquire and use atmospheric/meteorological data, synoptic and mesoscale models, and products to conduct mesoscale meteorological analysis and support specialized meteorological and hydrologic applications
Plan and conduct assignments to conduct research, develop new techniques, produce operational forecasts for the business, operate and make real-time decisions for a winter weather modification program