Meteorologist

USA Jobs; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Be Well program

Job summary

Bonneville Power Administration is seeking a Meteorologist to forecast weather and climate impacts for hydroelectric operations in the Pacific Northwest. You will develop cutting‑edge weather models and provide critical data to ensure grid stability and renewable energy efficiency.

Responsibilities include issuing daily to seasonal forecasts, innovating forecasting methods, and leading research for improved operational performance.

Qualifications

• Degree in meteorology, atmospheric science, or related natural science with required science hours.
• Six semester hours of physics with lab and three hours of ODE coursework required.
• Specialized education or experience meeting federal GS-11/12 requirements.

Responsibilities

• Forecast daily, weekly, and seasonal weather for hydroelectric operations and energy planning.
• Develop and apply advanced meteorological models for grid reliability.
• Lead research and publish findings on climate and forecasting for internal stakeholders.
• Oversee contracts and partnerships related to climate science and energy forecasting.
• Provide timely severe weather guidance to protect personnel and infrastructure.

Skills

Forecasting

Data analysis

Hydro energy operations

Linux platform

Education

Meteorology degree

Physics coursework

Differential equations

Tools

Linux weather platform

Job description

Summary

This position is within the Bonneville Power Administration's Power Services, under Generation Asset Management, Power and Operations Planning, and finally, Weather and Streamflow Forecasting. Join a mission-critical team as a Meteorologist whose forecasts directly guide renewable energy operations for the regional power grid. In this role, you will develop cutting‑edge weather models and provide data that ensures the stability of our hydroelectric system.

Learn more about this agency

Duties

Forecast the Future of Clean Energy

At the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), we're at the forefront of the nation's transition to a reliable, affordable, and carbon-free energy future. As a Meteorologist on our team, you won't just predict the weather-you'll provide the critical intelligence that powers the Pacific Northwest. Your expertise will directly guide the operation of one of the largest clean energy systems in the country, ensuring grid stability and shaping the future of renewable power.

• Guide Clean Energy Operations: Develop and issue critical daily, weekly, and seasonal weather forecasts that directly influence hydroelectric operations and energy demand planning for the vast Columbia River Basin.
• Innovate and Pioneer: Go beyond standard procedures by inventing and adapting new forecasting techniques to solve complex challenges, especially during extreme weather events like droughts and floods.
• Drive Technological Advancement: Take a hands‑on role in developing, managing, and enhancing our sophisticated, Linux‑based weather forecasting platform and its custom software.
• Advance the Science of Forecasting: Drive forecast accuracy and operational efficiency by researching and applying advanced meteorological science, models, and cutting‑edge principles to our hydroelectric system.
• Investigate Complex Climate Phenomena: Analyze large‑scale climate drivers‑like El Niño cycles and ocean‑atmosphere interactions‑using modern data analytics to improve long‑range predictions for renewable energy.
• Protect People and Infrastructure: Serve as a vital source of information by issuing timely, severe weather warnings that ensure the safety of field personnel and the protection of critical infrastructure.
• Lead and Publish Groundbreaking Research: Lead and present authoritative research on meteorological forecasting and climate assessments to the broader scientific community, representing BPA at professional conferences and workshops.
• Serve as a Technical Expert: Act as a subject matter expert by providing technical oversight for key contracts and partnerships focused on advanced research in climate science and renewable energy forecasting.

This position is located in Portland, OR which boasts huge spans of amazing trees, foliage, landscape, and everywhere you look you can appreciate beautiful greenery! It is known as the most bike‑friendly city in America, has a train system that greets you at the airport spanning across the city, and is home to the Portland International Rose Garden, the oldest in the country! Portland is the one place where you will find lively festivals, energetic music, mouthwatering food, and for you basketball fans, the Portland Trail Blazers are a 7 minute walk from the HQs building! There is always something new to experience in this eco‑friendly town!

Requirements

Conditions of employment

In accordance with Executive Order 14170, applicants are encouraged to respond to four short, free‑response, essay questions in the questionnaire. Answer to these questions is not scored or rated. Your answers will be reviewed by the hiring manager and agency leadership if you are referred for selection consideration.

When you apply you will be asked a series of questions to determine your eligibility for employment and your qualification for this position specifically. You must answer all of these questions completely and truthfully.

Key Requirements

• You must be a United States Citizen.
• This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
• Males must abide by Selective Service registration requirements.
• You will be required to report in person to the official duty location.

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENT:

1. Degree: meteorology, atmospheric science, or other natural science major that included:
   1. At least 24 semester (36 quarter) hours of credit in meteorology/atmospheric science including a minimum of:
      1. Six semester hours of atmospheric dynamics and thermodynamics;*
      2. Six semester hours of analysis and prediction of weather systems (synoptic/mesoscale);
      3. Three semester hours of physical meteorology; and
      4. Two semester hours of remote sensing of the atmosphere and/or instrumentation.
   2. Six semester hours of physics, with at least one course that includes laboratory sessions.*
   3. Three semester hours of ordinary differential equations.*
   4. At least nine semester hours of course work appropriate for a physical science major in any combination of three or more of the following: physical hydrology, statistics, chemistry, physical oceanography, physical climatology, radiative transfer, aeronomy, advanced thermodynamics, advanced electricity and magnetism, light and optics, and computer science.

* There is a prerequisite or corequisite of calculus for course work in atmospheric dynamics and thermodynamics, physics, and differential equations. Calculus courses must be appropriate for a physical science major.

or

1. Combination of education and experience course work as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level in the Federal service.

GS-11:

A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level [GS-9] in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as experience in at least 3 of the following 5 statements: 1) Assisting with gathering data from meteorological sources for weather forecasts or research; 2) Developing and providing forecasts for internal customers; 3) Interpolating meteorological data output from forecast models; 4) Assisting with scientific analyses, technical calculations or literature reviews in support of projects assigned to higher level scientists or office supervisor; or 5) Learning and utilizing technological data systems, dashboards, or platforms that create weather forecasts or data analyses for internal customers.

• Three years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree, or Ph.D., or equivalent doctoral degree; your education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. -OR-
• Combination of education and experience as described above. Less than one year of specialized experience may be combined with graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level (i.e., credit hours beyond the first two years of full‑time study may be credited).

GS-12:

A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level [GS-11] in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as experience in at least 3 of the following 5 statements: 1) Independently providing forecasts and briefings to decision makers on hazardous weather or water events; 2) Forecasting, analyzing and assessing the current and forecast weather situation at both the synoptic, mesoscale, and climate levels; 3) Conducting applied scientific research, data analysis, or studies to build on the office's state of the science; 4) Supporting major projects, office duties, and organizational studies directed by senior scientists or office supervisor; 5) Utilizing, developing and maintaining technological data systems, dashboards, or platforms that create weather forecasts or data analyses for internal customers.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community‑based philanthropic and social organizations. Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills; and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Time-in-Grade: Current Federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement to receive consideration.

CTAP/ICTAP candidates: To be considered "well qualified" you must meet all of the requirements as described in this section.

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

This vacancy has a positive education requirement. Education must be obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. See Department of Education Accreditation Search to verify school accreditation.

Foreign education must be reviewed by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website.DO NOT email or mail in any of your application documents. Documents will not be accepted outside of the online application system.

In order to be rated as qualified, you must provide copies of your college transcripts. Failure to provide copies of your college transcripts may result in rating of "Ineligible".

Additional information

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across DOE.

EEO Policy

USAJOBS Help Center | Equal employment opportunity policy

Reasonable Accommodation Policy

Employees or applicants may request Reasonable Accommodation (RA) for assistance, when applying or competing for a job or performing a job due to their medical condition or to exercise their religious beliefs. If you need reasonable accommodation in the application or selection process, please contact the Staffing Specialist listed on this vacancy announcement. USAJOBS Help Center | Reasonable accommodation policy

Reasonable Accommodation for USAHire:

If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a reasonable accommodation in your online application. Requests for Reasonable Accommodations for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for Reasonable Accommodation must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for Reasonable Accommodations are made on a case‑by‑case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a Reasonable Accommodation, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here.

Veterans Information

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Telework

https://www.opm.gov/telework/

Selective Service Registration

http://www.sss.gov/ - Who must register: https://www.sss.gov/faq/#who-needs-to-register

Hiring incentives may be authorized for a highly qualified candidate based on budget availability and in accordance with federal regulations.

BPA strives to ensure a safe and positive work environment.

We also understand the importance of work/life balance and offer a variety of programs and policies designed to create more flexible, responsive work environments supportive of commitments to community, home and family members. BPA also supports employees' overall wellness through its Be Well program, which helps employees adopt healthier lifestyles and feel better about their work/life balance. The program supports five key areas of life: career, community, financial, physical and social.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.