CIWRO Research Associate: Hazard Services Trainer

This career-track MS-level research associate works on our Warning Decision Training Division team at the Cooperative Institute for Severe and High-Impact Weather Research and Operations (CIWRO) at the University of Oklahoma (OU).

 

Date posted

June 9, 2023 11:45 am

Application deadline

July 9, 2023 5:00 pm

Organization

CIWRO at the University of Oklahoma

Location

  • United States

Job description

This career-track MS-level research associate works on our Warning Decision Training Division team at the Cooperative Institute for Severe and High-Impact Weather Research and Operations (CIWRO) at the University of Oklahoma (OU). This position collaborates with National Weather Service (NWS) instructors and forecasters across the country.

Position Overview

For this position, we seek an individual who desires to use their knowledge of different types of severe weather to teach and coach others. The incumbent creates content to help the NWS to train forecasters on the next-generation weather warning software, known as Hazard Services. This position also assists local NWS offices in configuring the software to meet their local and operational needs. Finally, this position develops skills relevant to decision-making for severe weather warnings. In doing this, you would also:

  • Develop and maintain expertise on warning procedures and software
  • Collaborate with subject matter experts in the NWS, and
  • Use a variety of tools, applications, and communications platforms to facilitate NWS’ forecasters’ professional development.

The Warning Decision Training Division (WDTD) team at CIWRO works on training and tools that help NWS forecasters better meet the NWS mission to protect life and property. Our team works with federal instructors to improve warning performance. You can learn more about the WDTD on their website: https://training.weather.gov/wdtd/ and the CIWRO WDTD teams at CIWRO at WDTD. 

Job Responsibilities

  1. Collaborate with NWS instructors, forecasters, and other experts to find job-specific training needs
  2. Develop expertise with the science, technology, and human factors of severe weather operations of the NWS through applied research
  3. Integrate that expertise into the training content you develop for in-person, on-line, simulation-based, or other applied training
  4. Learn/enhance professional skills with applications (e.g., Adobe Creative Cloud, Articulate Storyline, Microsoft PowerPoint), programming and web skills (e.g., Python, JavaScript, HTML), and other skills and tools relevant to your work (e.g., Google Apps)
  5. Work in a team-based, collaborative environment to complete job tasks

Qualifications

  1. Master’s Degree in Meteorology, Atmospheric Science, or related field
  2. Ability to work collaboratively with others in a team environment
  3. Demonstrate oral and written communication skills needed for various training environments
  4. Demonstrate an aptitude for performing technical tasks with an attention to detail
  5. Must pass a standard federal background check and be a S. citizen or permanent resident to obtain unsupervised access to federal space and systems
  6. Prior experience with NWS software systems, while beneficial, is not required to obtain this position

Additional Experience/Skills

Although these skills are not required to be selected, candidates should identify if they have any of the following skills: severe weather forecasting, operations or research, graphical design, web site development (e.g, HTML, JavaScript, XML), Python scripting and/or Bash shell scripting in the Linux operating system, teaching or coaching others and/or content development for training or documentation.

Who We Are

CIWRO is the largest research organization at the OU with over 200 research scientists, associates, assistants, students, and support staff. It is one of 15 NOAA-funded cooperative institutes which promote collaboration between OU and NOAA’s Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR) and the National Weather Service (NWS) by working side-by-side on problems of mutual interest. In 2022, OU (located in Norman, OK: https://live-norman.com) was ranked by Forbes as the top employer in the state of Oklahoma, one of the top 50 employers in the United States and in the top four within education field of employers with more than 5,000 employees. 

Beginning salary is commensurate with degree and experience. Information on OU benefits can be found at https://jobs.ou.edu/Discover-OU. CIWRO supports a diverse, non-discriminatory workforce that respects the culture, beliefs, and practices of all employees. Our flexible work hours and easy area commutes enable employees to address personal needs without sacrificing paid leave. CIWRO has a structured career track program that allows for advancement and professional prestige all while maintaining a healthy work/life balance. Information on living in Norman Oklahoma and the surrounding communities can be found at https://hr.ou.edu/Employees/University-Community-Resources/Norman- Area. 

How to Apply

Send a statement of interest how you meet the position qualifications, your resume/CV,
and a list of three professional references to: ciwro-careers@ou.edu. Enter in the subject line:
“ATTN: RA – WDTD Team/Hazard Services.” For more information about this position,
please contact Dale Morris (dmorris@ou.edu) or Andrew Wood (awood@ou.edu). 
 

The University of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer