Renewable Forecast Meteorologist (Hybrid)

ERCOT; Taylor (TX); Hybrid; USD 94,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

ERCOT in Taylor, Texas, seeks a Meteorologist to forecast wind and solar impacts on the grid and to support System Operations with clear, timely weather analyses.

You will develop forecasting tools, collaborate on load forecasts, and communicate results to management; a Bachelor's in Meteorology is required, with a Master’s preferred.

This is a hybrid role requiring on-site presence 2–3 days per week, with remote work from Texas residences as needed to meet business needs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Meteorology or related field required.
• Minimum 5 years of job-related experience in operational meteorology and weather risk analysis.
• Proficiency with MS Office, especially Excel.

Responsibilities

• Focus forecasting on wind and solar impacts for ERCOT operations.
• Maintain and develop tools to visualize current and future weather conditions.
• Collaborate on day-ahead load forecasts and communicate results to management.

Skills

Weather forecasting

Meteorology expertise

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Meteorology

Master's Degree in Meteorology (Preferred)

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Python

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

Salary and level will be based on overall experience as determined by ERCOT.

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

The foregoing description reflects the minimum qualifications and the essential functions of the position that must be performed proficiently with or without reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. It is not an exhaustive list of the duties expected to be performed, and management may, at its discretion, revise or require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned. This job description is not intended to create a contract of employment with ERCOT. Both ERCOT and the employee may exercise their employment-at-will rights at any time. #Hybrid;

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.

Expected Salary Range

$94,000 - $130,000