Wildfire Meteorologist - Oahu

Hawaiian Electric•Honolulu, HI

About The Position

The Wildfire Meteorologist studies meteorological issues affecting Hawaiian Electric’s operations and infrastructure, providing weather support, advice, research, and analysis to the Watch Office and operational teams. The role supports routine operations and incident response, including Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) activations, and oversees the development of forecasting tools and models. It is responsible for daily, weekly, monthly, and annual operational hazard forecasting. The position monitors and communicates weather-related risks, develops forecasts and reports, supports the Watch Office and leadership with situational awareness, and works with field personnel and stakeholders to understand utility assets and operations. It also contributes analytical work to projects involving situational awareness tools, fire prevention and monitoring, hazard modeling, and climate adaptation. The role participates in company emergency response activities as assigned.

Requirements

Undergraduate or graduate degree in meteorology, atmospheric sciences, or a related technical discipline.
Five or more years of experience in weather forecasting and statistical analysis; a graduate degree may substitute for two years of work experience.
Broad understanding of how extreme weather events may affect an electric utility.
Broad knowledge and experience with regulatory policies, methods, and practices needed to perform complex assignments.
Demonstrated experience performing statistical analysis and modeling.
Ability to interface and collaborate effectively with peers, clients, management, and other organizations.
Clear and precise communication skills across methods and audiences; excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.
Working knowledge of general electrical utility procedures and operations.
Working knowledge of GIS and a programming language such as Python or MATLAB.
Working knowledge of personal computers and software such as MS Project, Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Ability to work under pressure, adjust to changing priorities, and pay attention to detail.
Ability to take initiative and accountability for information accuracy and results.
Ability to collaborate, plan, prioritize, and coordinate.
Ability to handle emergency response situations and work in a stressful environment.
Ability to remain flexible in a demanding work environment and adapt to rapidly changing priorities and strategic direction.
Ability to work independently with little day-to-day guidance, operate as a self-starter, and meet deadlines.
Ability to conceptualize new ideas quickly.
Ability to handle difficult or sensitive issues with tact, courtesy, and discretion.
Ability to develop and maintain positive relationships with people at all levels of the company.
Ability to motivate and influence others in cross-functional teams without direct authority.

Nice To Haves

Graduate degree in meteorology, atmospheric sciences, or a related technical discipline.
Broad understanding of power markets and related regulatory requirements, including assisting with strategies to increase the value of company resources and lower customer costs.
Demonstrated fire-weather forecasting experience.
Experience integrating weather outlooks and briefing users on uncertainties and impacts.
Experience forecasting one- to seven-day-ahead surface temperatures and weather using varied surface and upper-air observational and model data.
Experience analyzing renewable power production (wind, solar, and hydro) and weather impacts on those resources.
Extensive knowledge of the National Weather Service system and experience using NOAA products.
Ability and experience configuring and running various weather models.
Experience using SAS, R, or other tools for statistical analysis and forecasting.
Weather forecasting experience for Hawaii.
Experience forecasting conditions pertaining to or around wildfires.
Experience with long-term weather forecasting (one month ahead or more).
Experience preparing findings and presenting complex technical information to technical and non-technical audiences.

Responsibilities

Implement procedures and produce short-, medium-, and long-range weather forecasts and reports for situational awareness during routine operations and incident management activations.
Monitor weather conditions for increased fire-weather risk and communicate risks to management.
Lead PSPS calls and meetings when more senior team members are unavailable.
Support and advise the Watch Office during inclement weather that may affect grid reliability or employee safety.
Coordinate with Watch Office personnel to inform leadership reports and issue extreme-weather alerts to grid operations and other affected organizations.
Work and train with field personnel and stakeholders across the company to understand equipment, assets, and business functions across the service territory.
Develop tools to improve operational support, drawing on knowledge of utility systems and operations.
Interact routinely with T&D Operations, field operations, and fire management personnel to maintain knowledge of grid systems and stakeholder relationships.
Support senior team members on analytical work for projects involving situational awareness tools, fire prevention and monitoring, hazard modeling, and climate adaptation.
Ensure timely development of products needed by the Watch Office and Operations.
Participate in Weather Service meetings and maintain partnerships with meteorology, scientific, and technology communities to improve forecasting skills, models, information, and tools.
Participate in company emergency response activities, including preparation activities, as assigned.
Perform other duties as assigned.