Field Meteorologist

This is a full-time (100% FTE), permanent position. This position is overtime eligible.

Benefits: WSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; deferred compensation, optional supplemental retirement accounts; training and development; and employee tuition waiver. For additional information, please review the detailed Summary of Benefits offered by WSU for AP staff and Total Compensation.

• A Bachelor’s degree and three (3) years professional experience OR a combination of education and experience totaling seven (7) years from which comparable knowledge and abilities are acquired. Education and experience may be tailored to specific need requirements of position.
• Bachelor’s Degree in meteorology, atmospheric science or related scientific field.
• Must have, or be able to obtain by time of hire, a valid driver’s license and meet requirements in accordance with SPPM 7.10 and departmental driving standards.
• Ability to climb a 10-m tower and be able to obtain basic tower Competent Climber certification within 3 months of hire.
• Ability to work in extreme outdoor temperatures in a variety of weather conditions.
• Experience in data management, interpretation and analysis.

• Demonstrated expertise with weather network or related technologies including data loggers, sensors, computers, and wireless networks.
• Experience communicating with the general public or agricultural stakeholders on the interpretation of weather data.
• Experience with Quality Assurance/Quality Control processes and documenting procedures in weather or similar data acquisition and delivery.
• Experience with operation of computer software for weather networks including the delivery of complex weather data products like pest and disease models, water balance calculations, and irrigation scheduling.
• Possess level of Spanish speaking competency/ability to communicate effectively with Spanish-speaking stakeholders.
• Experience working in research or university setting.

Area/College: College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences

Department Name: AgWeatherNet (AWN)

Location: Prosser, WA

Application Instructions: Applicants must upload the following required documents to their online application. Application materials should clearly communicate how the applicant meets all required qualifications and additional requirements.

1) Resume

2) Cover Letter

External candidates, upload all documents in the “Application Document” section of your application.

Current WSU Employees (internal candidates), before starting your Workday application, please use these instructions to update your education and experience in your worker profile in Workday. Internal candidates, upload all documents in the “Resume/Cover Letter” section of your application.

Documents may be submitted as one file or separate files. Applicants are encouraged to upload as a PDF, if possible.

Reference contact information will be requested later in the recruitment process through Workday.

Background Check: This position has been designated by the department to require a background check because it requires access to children or vulnerable adults as defined by RCW 74.34, engages in law enforcement, requires security clearance, interacts with WSU students in a counseling or advising capacity, has access to personal identifying and/or financial information, unsupervised access to university buildings/property, or other business-related need. A background check will not be completed until an initial determination of qualification for employment has been made.

Monthly Salary: $4,869.40 - $6,086.74 | Commensurate with experience and qualifications

In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate’s current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position.

AgWeatherNet is a network of automated weather stations that provide information and decision support systems in near real-time via weather.wsu.edu.

As the Field Meteorologist, you will be responsible for the acquisition, processing, and interpretation of high quality weather station data. Your duties will include monitoring and maintaining weather station equipment, identifying appropriate sites for station placement, and configure and install new stations, sensors and related equipment. You will ensure sensors are calibrated and will implement, improve, and interpret data quality assurance algorithms. You will also produce reports as needed for distribution to agricultural stakeholders. In addition, you will educate both stakeholders and general public on the use and interpretation of weather data and decision support tools. You will provide consultation and technical support for research and extension programs, as well as coordinate regional meteorological extension and outreach efforts that promotes the use of AgWeatherNet data. Additional responsibilities may include: originating programs, recommend programming changes to address needs. Collaborate with technical and other support staff in providing expert- level knowledge to create workable solutions and system improvements.