Meteorologist, Wildfire & Ops Specialist

AltaLink•Calgary, AB

19h•Onsite

About The Position

The Meteorologist, Wildfire & Operational Weather Specialist provides meteorological forecasting, weather intelligence, and operational decision support for AltaLink’s Wildfire Mitigation Program, Field Operations, and 24/7 Control Centre. The role supports wildfire weather forecasting and risk interpretation during wildfire season, and provides year-round weather hazard awareness for field crews, system operations, emergency preparedness, and continuity of service. The role also owns AltaLink’s weather tools, forecasting processes, decision-support models, weather station network, and related situational awareness systems, including wildfire detection cameras. Wildfire risk management, fire behavior analysis, or Fire Behavior Analyst experience is an asset; the primary requirement is strong meteorological expertise and the ability to translate weather information into practical operational guidance.

Requirements

Degree or diploma in Meteorology, Atmospheric Science, Environmental Science with a meteorology focus, or a related discipline.
Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in operational meteorology, applied weather forecasting, severe weather forecasting, utility meteorology, emergency management weather support, or related disciplines.
Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered.
Proficiency with meteorological analysis and forecasting tools, weather models, observational networks, radar and satellite products, and GIS or spatial analysis tools.
Demonstrated ability to communicate forecast confidence, uncertainty, and operational implications clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.
Ability to work effectively independently and as part of a team.
Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders and support positive outcomes.
Proven track record of good performance and attendance.

Nice To Haves

Experience in wildfire weather forecasting, wildfire risk management, fire behaviour analysis, or Fire Behaviour Analyst work is considered an asset.
Experience developing or administering weather models, dashboards, scripts, GIS products, data workflows, or operational decision-support tools is an asset.
Experience managing weather stations, environmental monitoring equipment, remote sensors, cameras, telecommunications, or related field-based technology is an asset.
Experience working with external agencies, vendors, emergency management partners, municipalities, wildfire stakeholders, or weather service providers is an asset.
Knowledge of electrical utility operations, ICS, operational wildfire response, or 24/7 essential service operations is an asset.

Responsibilities

Provide daily and event-based weather forecasting, interpretation, and operational guidance to support wildfire mitigation, field operations, and the 24/7 Control Centre.
Monitor current and forecasted weather conditions, including wind, lightning, precipitation, temperature, humidity, drought, storm activity, and other hazards relevant to electric utility operations.
Support wildfire season readiness by interpreting fire weather conditions and communicating operational implications for field activities, control room operations, emergency response, and mitigation actions.
Provide year-round forecasting support for non-wildfire hazards, including severe storms, high winds, extreme cold, freezing rain, heavy snow, and other weather-driven operational risks.
Translate meteorological information into clear, timely, and actionable guidance for operational leaders, crews, and control room personnel.
Apply meteorological expertise to support wildfire weather forecasting, including assessment of fire weather indices, forecast confidence, changing weather patterns, and escalation triggers.
Use established wildfire weather tools, dashboards, models, and processes to support situational awareness and decision-making during periods of elevated wildfire risk.
Support real-time decisions during elevated wildfire risk, severe weather events, and emergency response scenarios by providing concise risk interpretation and operational considerations.
Collaborate with Wildfire Program personnel, Operations, and external subject matter experts to understand how weather conditions may influence wildfire risk, system exposure, and operational posture.
Lead and own AltaLink’s weather intelligence tools, forecasting processes, models, dashboards, reports, and decision-support products.
Develop, refine, and document weather-related models, thresholds, workflows, procedures, and communication products for wildfire mitigation, field operations, emergency response, and system operations.
Identify opportunities to automate, improve, and standardize forecasting products, weather alerts, risk indicators, situational awareness outputs, and operational reporting.
Establish clear processes for forecast review, escalation, communication, and integration into operational decision-making.
Work with internal teams, vendors, and external specialists to evaluate and implement weather-related tools, data sources, models, and technology solutions.
Oversee AltaLink’s weather station network, including performance monitoring, data quality, maintenance coordination, troubleshooting, lifecycle planning, and improvement opportunities.
Coordinate with internal teams, vendors, and external service providers to resolve weather station issues and support reliable weather data availability.
Support wildfire detection camera systems as part of AltaLink’s situational awareness capability, including operational use, issue identification, stakeholder coordination, and continuous improvement.
Integrate weather station data, public weather data, wildfire detection camera information, and other situational awareness inputs into practical operational guidance.
Work with external agencies, municipalities, wildfire agencies, weather service providers, vendors, and other stakeholders to support data sharing, wildfire readiness, and coordinated response.
Provide technical input to weather-related and situational-awareness elements of wildfire mitigation planning, operational procedures, emergency response planning, and after-action reviews.