Renewable Forecast Meteorologist (Hybrid)

Electric Reliability Council of Texas; Taylor (TX); Hybrid; USD 94,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Retirement Savings Plan

Section 125 Flexible Spending Account

Job summary

ERCOT is seeking a Meteorologist to provide focused weather forecasting for the Taylor area, with emphasis on wind and solar impacts on renewable generation and load forecasting.

The role requires at least five years in operational meteorology and weather risk analysis, with strong Excel skills and MS Office proficiency; Python programming is preferred. Hybrid on-site work in Taylor, TX part of the week.

Qualifications

• Requires minimum 5 years job related work experience in excess of degree requirements.
• Requires minimum 5 years progressively responsible experience in operational meteorology and weather risk analysis.
• Requires proficiency in MS Office application suite, specifically Excel.

Responsibilities

• Focused forecasting on weather conditions relating to renewable energy; collaborate with load and general meteorologists.
• Maintain and develop tools that visualize current and future weather conditions.
• Communicate results and updates to management and System Operations; prepare seven day weather discussion.

Skills

Wind forecasting

Solar forecasting

Operational meteorology

Weather risk analysis

MS Office proficiency

Education

Bachelor's Degree: Meteorology or related field (Required)

Master's Degree: Meteorology or related field (Preferred)

Tools

Python

SQL

Job description

At ERCOT, our diverse and dynamic work environment provides a platform on which employees can work together to build the future of the Texas power grid and wholesale market utilizing the latest technologies and resources. We encourage you to join our talented, dedicated workforce to develop world‑class solutions for today and tomorrow’s energy challenges while learning new skills and growing your career. ERCOT is committed to fostering inclusion at all levels of our company. It is the cornerstone of our corporate values of accountability, leadership, innovation, trust, and expertise. We know that individuals with a wide variety of talents, ideas, and experiences propel the innovation that drives our success. An inclusive and diverse workforce strengthens us and allows for a collaborative environment to solve the challenges that face our industry today and in the future.

Meteorologist conducts weather forecasting for the ERCOT service area. Provides oversight of short‑term weather forecasting including communication of this information and resulting implications to System Operations. Focus will be with wind and solar impacts on renewable generation; however, an understanding and occasional participation in general weather forecasting and load forecasting is expected.

JOB DUTIES

• Focused forecasting on weather conditions relating to renewable energy; however, collaboration with the load forecasting meteorologist and the general operational meteorologist is essential as a part of the net load forecast
• Broadly applies principles, theories and concepts related to the profession.
• A seasoned, experienced professional with an in‑depth/full understanding of area of specialization.
• May provide recommendations regarding issues outside the bounds of defined procedures and practices.
• Demonstrates good judgment in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions.
• Wide latitude for decisions within assignments, programs, and projects; impact is generally limited to the project or department.
• Acts as a resource to advise and may at times lead the work of lower level professional and/or support employees.
• Generally represents the department on projects and may perform in a project leadership role.

ADDITIONAL JOB DUTIES

• Serves as the recognized technical expert within the field of Meteorology both inside and outside the organization.
• Resolves issues of diverse scope and demonstrates sound judgment in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions.
• Maintains and expands strong professional relationships both internally and externally.
• May serve as the representative on cross‑functional teams and projects.
• Maintains knowledge of emerging trends and industry best practices.
• Communicates results to appropriate stakeholders, including maintaining regular communication with the management team, providing relevant information to ensure compliance with all applicable requirements.
• Responds to executive and management inquiries and special reporting requests.
• Demonstrates skills as an expert user of software applications and tools, spreadsheet programs, and forecasting models.
• Continually monitors current weather conditions and discusses changing weather conditions, especially fronts, cloud cover, wind, and precipitation, and the potential impacts on renewable generation and load with System Operations.
• Gathers and analyzes meteorological data from public and private sources.
• Use all sources to develop a short‑term wind and solar weather forecast.
• Notify System Operations of any significant changes to forecast.
• Collaborates on current and next day load forecasts during day shift.
• Maintains and develops tools that visualize current and future weather conditions.
• Supports need for mid‑and long‑term weather information, including mid‑term wind and solar outlooks.
• Calls attention to high‑impact weather features beyond the short term, including strong fronts, severe weather, and icing potential.
• Calculates error metrics for previous day’s weather forecasts from vendors and own weather forecast.
• Compare forecasted weather conditions with actual values from the previous overnight period.
• Collaborate renewable forecast vendor analysis with the resource forecasting team.
• Prepares a brief weather discussion for the next seven days, paying particular attention to dynamic weather (e.g. fronts) and communicates with Manager of Load Forecasting, Manager of System Operations and the day shift supervisor as appropriate.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

• Requires minimum 5 years job related work experience in excess of degree requirements.
• Requires minimum 5 years progressively responsible experience in operational meteorology and weather risk analysis.
• Requires proficiency in MS Office application suite, specifically Excel.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE

• Experience with solar and wind forecasting techniques.
• Computer programming knowledge or experience with Python and AI tools.
• Minimum 2 years’ experience with power systems grid operations and assessing impact of weather conditions on load.

EDUCATION

• Bachelor's Degree: Meteorology or related field (Required).
• Master's Degree: Meteorology or related field (Preferred) or a combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge to a major in such fields is required.

WORK LOCATION

• This position is Hybrid. Employees will be required to be on‑site in Taylor, TX at least 2‑3 days per week, or more, as needed based on the business needs as determined by management.
• On‑site schedules are flexible or may be rotated based on business needs as determined by the Manager.
• Remote work is required to be performed from your Texas residence.
• Employees may opt to work on‑site more than required or 100% of the time.

EXPECTED SALARY RANGE

• $94,000 - $130,000

ERCOT Overview

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) manages the flow of electric power to 27 million Texas customers - representing about 90 percent of the state's electric load. As the independent system operator for the region, ERCOT schedules power on an electric grid that connects more than 54,100 miles of transmission lines and 1,250 generating units. ERCOT also performs financial settlement for the competitive wholesale bulk‑power market and administers retail switching for 8 million premises in competitive choice areas. ERCOT is a membership‑based 501(c)(4) nonprofit corporation, governed by a board of directors and subject to oversight by the Public Utility Commission of Texas and the Texas Legislature. ERCOT's members include consumers, cooperatives, generators, power marketers, retail electric providers, investor‑owned electric utilities (transmission and distribution providers), and municipal‑owned electric utilities.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Long‑term disability insurance
• Short‑term disability insurance
• Long‑term care insurance
• Section 125 Flexible Spending Account
• Retirement Savings Plan

The medical, dental, vision, and quality‑of‑life benefits offered by ERCOT are second to none.

Full‑time employees are eligible to enroll in benefits on the first of the month following the date of hire. Additionally, 401(k) plans are available to help employees plan for the future.

The ERCOT Internship Program provides college students the opportunity to develop their skills in a professional work environment. Each intern will receive unique projects and assignments that aim to solve real challenges facing the electric industry. ERCOT internships provide professional learning experiences that offer meaningful, practical work related to each student's desired career path.

Eligible candidates should be enrolled in an academic bachelors or post graduate degree program maintaining a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

ERCOT offers an excellent benefits package, which includes health, dental, vision, life insurance, long/short‑term disability insurance, long‑term care insurance, Section 125 Flexible Spending Account, and a Retirement Savings Plan.

The ERCOT Engineer Development Program (EDP) is a 12‑ to 16‑month, self‑paced program geared toward entry‑level engineers looking to start a career in the power industry. Through the program, an EDP Engineer receives one‑on‑one mentoring, specialized training, and exposure to the work performed by each of the engineering groups at ERCOT. The program allows engineers to develop the fundamental skills necessary to reach their full potential while gaining an understanding of the types of engineering work ERCOT has to offer. EDP management supports participants each step of the way as they progress through the program. Upon completion, graduates are placed as full‑time engineers within one of ERCOT’s engineering groups.

The GMS Development Program (GDP) is designed to provide entry‑level and early career professionals with the skills necessary to become successful Power System and Computer Engineers. The program, which is based in ERCOT’s Grid and Market Solutions (GMS) Department, will provide experience in day‑to‑day work and instruction in the fundamentals of electric power systems engineering, grid and market applications, software programming, and IT service and operations management. The GDP offers one‑on‑one mentoring, training, field trips, and special assignments. These assignments allow GDP engineers to become knowledgeable and familiar with the various business areas at ERCOT. The GMS leadership team prepares GDP engineers for a future career at ERCOT in power systems and computer engineering.

The System Operator Development Program (ODP) is intended to combine real‑time daily operations in an exciting work setting to prepare participants with the vital skills necessary to be successful in such a critical position — providing 24x7x365 on‑demand support to manage the flow of electric power to more than 26 million Texas customers. If you are new to the industry, this program introduces you to the Bulk Electric System by combining introductory courses with the NERC Certification Exam Preparation Program in preparation to pass the NERC Certification Exam.

ERCOT is firmly committed to equal employment for all qualified persons without regard to race, sex, medical condition, religion, age, creed, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, ancestry, veteran status, genetic information or any other protected category under federal, state or local law.