Meteorology Director

Job Summary

PacifiCorp is seeking a highly skilled Meteorology Director to oversee the company's meteorology strategy, technology, and tools. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in atmospheric science and experience in weather forecasting, with a proven track record of leading teams and making strategic decisions.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain the annual budget to support staffing, operational, and technology requirements for a 24/7 weather forecasting operation.
• Lead a team of subject matter experts in weather, fuels, and wildfire-related meteorological matters.
• Integrate a wide range of meteorological data and support the development and deployment of technology to provide continuously updated weather information.
• Oversee the analysis of surface observation data, satellite imagery, NEXRAD Doppler RADAR data, and Numerical Weather Prediction data.
• Manage and improve processes for daily forecasting, real-time weather alerts, and updates, and real-time support for storm and Public Safety Power Shutoff Events.
• Interview, hire, train, coach, and manage employees.
• Provide short- and long-term seasonal weather forecasts, analysis of data, and historical impacts to allow preparedness and proactive resource availability.
• Work with the company's energy supply function on short- and long-term seasonal weather forecasts to optimize hydro, wind, and solar generation asset utilization.
• Provide weather forecasting data to support power procurement transactions.
• Oversee a team of subject matter experts responsible for on-call response to requests for short-range weather prediction.
• Support the development of analytical tools for various operational organizations and fire mitigation planning.
• Continually maintain and enhance policies, procedures, and tools for monitoring the company's weather network and associated alerting.
• Improve all real-time and operational forecasts through process improvements via new technologies and advancements and in coordination with other utility best practices.
• Work closely with engineering and operational organizations to integrate weather information into fire risk mitigation and community resilience projects.
• Collaborate with local, state, and federal government agencies, universities, and other research groups to advance the science of meteorology and develop new technologies and communication tools.
• Ensure all company-owned weather stations are sited, integrated into work processes, remain fully functional, and are maintained as required.
• Ensure that a fleet of portable weather stations are maintained and can be sited during storm or Public Safety Power Shutoff events to enhance coverage and metrics available for decision-making.
• Represent the company and act as the primary point of contact as required with local, state, and federal agencies, the private sector, volunteer organizations, and the public for all weather-related matters.
• Oversee the preparation and dissemination of daily operational weather reports and evolution of process improvement and changes to tools and models to increase forecasting accuracy and lead times.

Requirements

• A minimum of five years' direct people management experience.
• Ability to learn and direct the team's use of theoretical meteorology, including the dynamics of the atmosphere, mesoscale meteorology, and the application of computer methods of numerical weather analysis and prediction.
• Knowledge of fire weather concepts and fire weather forecasting techniques.
• Knowledge of meteorological processes, climatology, forecasting techniques, and weather model analysis.
• Ability to manage time effectively, perform under pressure, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Management skills, including the ability to establish objectives, execute policy, and lead the development or implementation of a system, program, or process.
• High degree of independent initiative, discretion, and sound judgment, as well as the ability to integrate company priorities in emergency situations.
• Ability to review, analyze, and recommend improvements to systems, processes, and measures of performance.
• Ability to assess issues from multiple organizational and functional perspectives and discern an ideal proposal with more optimal results when appropriate.
• Ability to analyze situations quickly and objectively, to recognize actual and potential danger, and communicate as required.
• Ability to translate highly technical meteorological concepts into non-technical terms.
• Communication and interpersonal skills to influence and motivate others, and use oral and written skills to communicate objectives and action plans.
• Excellent leadership skills, strong organizational abilities to oversee multiple and complex issues, and experience presenting complex topics to internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to handle daily communication of expectations, mentor others, provide feedback, and work collaboratively with other departments.
• Demonstrated proficiency in data management skills, as well as a general understanding of GIS techniques.
• Must be proficient in the use of applications and tools, such as Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, etc.
• 24/7 availability to support emergency operations and disasters.

Preferences

• Bachelor's Degree in Atmospheric Science, Environmental Sciences, or a related field, or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• A minimum of ten years of operational forecasting experience in a utility environment.
• Advanced degree.
• Certified Consulting Meteorologist Certificate.
• Knowledge of the company's strategic plan, regulatory and political environment, as well as the company's policies, procedures, and practices, and applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

Benefits

PacifiCorp offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health care, retirement, paid time off, tuition assistance, paid short-term and long-term disability, paid bereavement leave, and more. For more information, please visit the company's website.

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