Meteorologist

Bonneville Power Administration • Portland, OR

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Meteorologist works within Bonneville Power Administration’s Power Services, in Generation Asset Management, Power and Operations Planning, and Weather and Streamflow Forecasting. The position develops weather forecasts and provides information that supports renewable energy operations and stability of the regional power grid, particularly hydroelectric operations and energy-demand planning across the Columbia River Basin.

The role develops and issues daily, weekly, and seasonal forecasts; adapts forecasting techniques to complex challenges, including droughts and floods; and develops, manages, and enhances a Linux-based weather-forecasting platform and custom software. It applies meteorological science, models, and analytics to improve forecast accuracy and operational efficiency, including analysis of large-scale climate drivers such as El Niño and ocean-atmosphere interactions. The Meteorologist also issues severe-weather warnings to support the safety of field personnel and protection of infrastructure, leads and presents research to the scientific community, and provides technical oversight for contracts and partnerships involving climate science and renewable-energy forecasting. The position is located in Portland, Oregon, and requires in-person reporting to the official duty location.

Requirements

• Meet the basic education requirement through a qualifying meteorology, atmospheric science, or other natural science degree with specified meteorology, physics, differential equations, and related physical-science coursework, or a qualifying combination of education and experience.
• For GS-11, demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-9, including experience in at least three specified areas: gathering meteorological data, developing forecasts for internal customers, interpolating model output, assisting with scientific analyses or technical calculations, or using technological weather-data systems.
• For GS-11, qualifying education may include three years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D., a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or a qualifying combination of education and experience.
• For GS-12, demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-11, including experience in at least three specified areas: providing forecasts and briefings on hazardous weather or water events; analyzing weather at synoptic, mesoscale, and climate levels; conducting applied scientific research or analysis; supporting major projects or organizational studies; or using, developing, and maintaining forecasting or data-analysis systems.
• Provide copies of college transcripts with the application; education must be from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, and foreign education must be evaluated by a recognized organization.
• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Current federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements by the announcement closing date.
• The selected applicant is required to report in person to the official duty location.

Responsibilities

• Develop and issue daily, weekly, and seasonal weather forecasts that inform hydroelectric operations and energy-demand planning for the Columbia River Basin.
• Develop or adapt forecasting techniques to address complex challenges, including extreme weather events such as droughts and floods.
• Develop, manage, and enhance the Linux-based weather-forecasting platform and its custom software.
• Research and apply meteorological science, models, and principles to improve forecast accuracy and operational efficiency.
• Analyze large-scale climate drivers, including El Niño cycles and ocean-atmosphere interactions, to improve long-range predictions.
• Issue timely severe-weather warnings to support field personnel safety and protect critical infrastructure.
• Lead and present meteorological forecasting and climate-assessment research at professional conferences and workshops.
• Provide technical oversight for contracts and partnerships focused on advanced climate-science research and renewable-energy forecasting.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package for eligible employees and their families.
• BPA wellness program (Be Well), supporting career, community, financial, physical, and social well-being.
• Flexible, responsive work-environment programs and policies intended to support work/life balance.
• Hiring incentives may be authorized for highly qualified candidates, subject to budget availability and federal regulations.

What This Job Offers

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