Wildfire Meteorologist - Oahu

Hawaiian Electric•Honolulu, HI

3d•$99,900 - $127,500•Onsite

About The Position

The Wildfire Meteorologist studies meteorological issues that affect Hawaiian Electric’s operations and infrastructure. The role provides meteorological support, advice, research, and analysis to the Watch Office and supports routine operations and incident response, including Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) activations. The position oversees development of forecasting tools and models and produces operational hazard forecasts on daily, weekly, monthly, and annual time horizons. The meteorologist monitors and interprets weather conditions, communicates fire-weather risks, supports operational decision-making, and helps ensure timely weather products for the Watch Office and Operations. The role collaborates with internal and external stakeholders, participates in weather-service meetings, and maintains relationships with meteorology, scientific, and technology communities to improve forecasting capabilities. The position also 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.
Knowledge and experience with regulatory policies, methods, and practices needed to perform complex assignments.
Demonstrated experience performing statistical analysis and modeling.
Ability to collaborate effectively with peers, clients, management, and other organizations.
Clear, precise communication skills across methods and audiences, including strong 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 work collaboratively, plan, prioritize, and coordinate.
Ability to handle emergency-response situations and work in a stressful, demanding environment with 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 manage 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 using a wide range of 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 NWS system and experience using NOAA products.
Ability and experience configuring and running weather models.
Experience using SAS, R, or other tools for statistical analysis and forecasting.
Weather-forecasting experience in 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 monitor, analyze, and produce short-, medium-, and long-range weather forecasts and reports for situational awareness during routine operations and incident activations.
Monitor weather for increased fire-weather risk and communicate risk to management.
Lead PSPS calls and meetings when more senior team members are unavailable.
Support and advise the Watch Office during inclement weather that could affect grid reliability or employee safety.
Coordinate with Watch Office personnel to prepare leadership reports and send extreme-weather alerts to grid operations and other affected company organizations.
Work and train with field personnel and company stakeholders to understand equipment, assets, and business functions across the service territory.
Develop tools to improve operational support.
Routinely interact with T&D Operations, field operations, and fire-management personnel to maintain knowledge of grid systems and relationships with stakeholders.
Support senior team members on less-complex analytical project tasks, including work related to situational-awareness tools, fire prevention and monitoring, PSPS, hazard modeling, and climate adaptation.
Ensure timely development of products needed to support the Watch Office and Operations.
Participate in Weather Service meetings to learn and obtain knowledge.
Maintain partnerships with meteorology, scientific, and technology communities to improve in-house forecasting skills, statistical models, information, and operational tools.
Participate in company emergency response activities and related preparation as assigned.
Perform other duties as assigned.