Weather Forecaster

Akytech Consulting LLC; Sumter (SC); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and welfare benefits

Job summary

Akytech Consulting LLC is seeking a Weather Forecaster to support 25 Attack Group (ATKG) – US Air Force at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina. The role requires real-time weather support for 24/7 combat operations and shift work with three eight-hour shifts.

Active TS/SCI clearance and DoD forecaster certification are preferred. The contractor will produce mission-critical weather forecasts, train unit personnel, and coordinate with Air Force weather offices.

Qualifications

• Minimum of two (2) years of weather forecasting experience as a certified weather forecaster supporting DoD operations and high familiarity with AFW-WEBS, Mark IV-B, and Microsoft Office applications.

Responsibilities

• Understand standard operational weather requirements and processes and assist Government personnel at their units to train personnel on unique weather products that support operations in their Areas of Responsibility (AORs).
• Provide shift work in a 24/7 environment with three eight-hour shifts per day, rotating on a waterfall schedule to ensure 24/7 coverage.
• Use meteorological products and services to support Overseas Contingency Operations missions.
• Forecast weather conditions for military installations by analyzing climatic regimes, geography, terrain, weather systems, and reports.
• Produce and present weather analysis and forecasts for aircrews, planners, and senior leaders via WAR Briefs and O&I Briefs.

Skills

Weather forecasting

Tools

AFW-WEBS

Mark IV-B

Microsoft Office

Job description

Location: Onsite at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina

Client: 25 Attack Group (ATKG) – US Air Force

Clearance: Active TS/SCI Clearance

(The pay rate for the role also include the Health and welfare benefits)

Overview:

Weather forecasting for real-time combat operations is a challenging and dynamic process. Even after the mission execution forecast is created, numerous changes are normally required because of the dynamic nature of both weather and operational conditions. Support of 24/7 combat operations require shift work, endurance, and attention to detail.

Required:

Minimum of two (2) years of weather forecasting experience as a certified weather forecaster supporting DoD operations and high familiarity with AFW-WEBS, Mark IV-B, and Microsoft Office applications.

Overview:

Weather forecasting for real-time combat operations is a challenging and dynamic process. Even after the mission execution forecast is created, numerous changes are normally required because of the dynamic nature of both weather and operational conditions. Support of 24/7 combat operations require shift work, endurance, and attention to detail.

Responsibilities & Requirements

• The Contractor shall understand standard operational weather requirements and processes and assist Government personnel at their respective units to train personnel on the development of unique weather products that directly support operations in the units’ areas of responsibility (AORs).
• Weather Forecasters should be prepared to provide shift work in a 24/7 environment. There will be three (3), eight (8) hour-long shifts per day with a minimum of one contractor per shift to cover the 24/7 requirement. Shifts will rotate on a waterfall schedule (ex, 5 days on, 2 days off), and the customer and contractor site lead will dictate what interval shifts rotate between each shift.
• The Contractor shall use proper procedures for providing weather services and oversee trainees performing the mission in support of Overseas Contingency Operations missions by providing tailored meteorological products and services for military operations.
• The Contractor shall analyze climatic regimes, geography, terrain, weather system characteristics, centralized weather products, and indigenous surface and upper air reports to forecast weather conditions for military installations.
• The Contractor shall produce and present weather analysis and forecasts for aircrews, planners, and senior leaders at assigned DoD installations via Wing Activity Report (WAR) Briefs/Operations and Intelligence (O&I) Briefs.
• The Contractor shall provide timely, decision-cycle weather analyses, products, and inputs to shape, plan, and execute combatant command operations. This task includes tracking of hazardous weather conditions such as lightning and icing in near real-time. Inputs may require the use of tactical software such as CAVOK to depict areas of hazardous weather for aircrew.
• The Contractor shall generate and present mission briefings, weather graphical products and text summaries in support of operations and training. Detailed mission execution forecasts (MEFs) will include forecast weather for takeoff, en route, destination, and air refueling tracks for multiple locations worldwide.
• The Contractor shall brief aircrew on AOR weather at the beginning of the aircrews’ flying shifts, or as required by unit requirements.
• The Contractor shall provide technical guidance to weather forecasters and follow operational guidance under high-stress conditions associated with severe weather.
• The Contractor shall provide informed recommendations on demand to DoD personnel under high-stress conditions associated with combat operations, severe weather, and emergencies.
• The Contractor shall oversee meteorological operations and provide technical oversight and recommend guidance to weather forecasters.
• The Contractor shall provide recommendations for the Government to make decisions and to select a course of action under high-stress conditions associated with severe weather and emergencies.
• The Contractor shall modify forecasts developed by other activities to provide information on exact conditions expected to be encountered by the aircraft for the projected timeframe, area of operations, and mission conditions.
• The Contractor shall maintain the electronic pass-down information during their work shift and relay that information to their relief to provide effective continuity of operations.
• The Contractor shall possess knowledge of a full range of security principles, concepts, practices, products, and services; methods for evaluating risk and vulnerability; implementing mitigating improvements; and disseminating security procedures/processes.
• The Contractor shall have the ability to develop, analyze, and evaluate security measures to ensure that weather forecasting actions meet mission requirements for COMSEC, OPSEC, and COMPUSEC.
• The Contractor shall adjust security procedures to correct deficiencies and ensure classified information is not released to unauthorized personnel.
• The Contractor shall exercise the ability to work independently in an operational environment.
• The Contractor shall possess knowledge in military meteorology, project management, IT-related analyses, and communications supporting Air Force and joint operations.
• The Contractor shall possess knowledge of the AFW Career Field Education and Training Plan (CFETP), skill-level training requirements, and specialty requirements.
• The Contractor shall possess knowledge of the Air Force Weather Knowledge Center’s advanced distributed learning.
• The Contractor shall be proficient in Microsoft Office products, especially Word, PowerPoint, Excel Spreadsheets, and giving oral presentations. The contractor must also be able to learn and manipulate applicable operational software introduced to the unit in a timely fashion.
• The Contractor shall attend required training to maintain proficiency in all assigned duties, and shift changes, also known as Meteorological Conferences (MetCon).
• The Contractor shall have a minimum of two (2) years of experience as a certified weather forecaster supporting DoD operations. Acceptable certification can be a \"position qualified\" enlisted forecaster, Air Force 1W0X1 3 skill level, or other DoD equivalent (Marines or Naval equivalent), and/or service as a certified FAA, NWS, or NOAA forecaster.
• The Contractor shall coordinate support and coverage with 25th ATKG (and future 25 ATKW) weather offices. The Contractor shall brief co-located and non-co-located 25th ATKG (and future 25 ATKW) aircrew to ensure continuity of operations and 24/7 global mission support.