Field Meteorologist

Washington State University • Prosser, WA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

AgWeatherNet is a network of automated weather stations that provide information and decision support systems in near real-time via weather.wsu.edu. As the Field Meteorologist, you will be responsible for the acquisition, processing, and interpretation of high quality weather station data. Your duties will include monitoring and maintaining weather station equipment, identifying appropriate sites for station placement, and configure and install new stations, sensors and related equipment. You will ensure sensors are calibrated and will implement, improve, and interpret data quality assurance algorithms. You will also produce reports as needed for distribution to agricultural stakeholders. In addition, you will educate both stakeholders and general public on the use and interpretation of weather data and decision support tools. You will provide consultation and technical support for research and extension programs, as well as coordinate regional meteorological extension and outreach efforts that promotes the use of AgWeatherNet data. Additional responsibilities may include: originating programs, recommend programming changes to address needs. Collaborate with technical and other support staff in providing expert- level knowledge to create workable solutions and system improvements.

Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree and three (3) years professional experience OR a combination of education and experience totaling seven (7) years from which comparable knowledge and abilities are acquired.
• Bachelor’s Degree in meteorology, atmospheric science or related scientific field.
• Must have, or be able to obtain by time of hire, a valid driver’s license and meet requirements in accordance with SPPM 7.10 and departmental driving standards.
• Ability to climb a 10-m tower and be able to obtain basic tower Competent Climber certification within 3 months of hire.
• Ability to work in extreme outdoor temperatures in a variety of weather conditions.
• Experience in data management, interpretation and analysis.

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated expertise with weather network or related technologies including data loggers, sensors, computers, and wireless networks.
• Experience communicating with the general public or agricultural stakeholders on the interpretation of weather data.
• Experience with Quality Assurance/Quality Control processes and documenting procedures in weather or similar data acquisition and delivery.
• Experience with operation of computer software for weather networks including the delivery of complex weather data products like pest and disease models, water balance calculations, and irrigation scheduling.
• Possess level of Spanish speaking competency/ability to communicate effectively with Spanish-speaking stakeholders.
• Experience working in research or university setting.

Responsibilities

• Acquisition, processing, and interpretation of high quality weather station data.
• Monitoring and maintaining weather station equipment.
• Identifying appropriate sites for station placement.
• Configuring and installing new stations, sensors and related equipment.
• Ensuring sensors are calibrated.
• Implementing, improving, and interpreting data quality assurance algorithms.
• Producing reports for distribution to agricultural stakeholders.
• Educating stakeholders and the general public on the use and interpretation of weather data and decision support tools.
• Providing consultation and technical support for research and extension programs.
• Coordinating regional meteorological extension and outreach efforts that promote the use of AgWeatherNet data.
• Originating programs.
• Recommending programming changes to address needs.
• Collaborating with technical and other support staff to create workable solutions and system improvements.

Benefits

• Paid sick and vacation leave
• Paid holidays
• Medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents
• Retirement
• Deferred compensation
• Optional supplemental retirement accounts
• Training and development
• Employee tuition waiver

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level