Research Associate - WDTD Meteorological Software Training

This position helps the NWS to train forecasters on using NWS software with a particular focus on decision making for severe weather warnings.

 

Date posted

Jan. 26, 2023 5:00 pm

Application deadline

Feb. 26, 2023 5:00 pm

Organization

CIWRO at the University of Oklahoma

Location

  • United States

Job description

Position Description

This career track MS-level research associate works on the Warning Decision Training Division (WDTD) teams 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 and helps to contribute to the NWS mission. For more information about WDTD and the CIWRO WDTD teams, see these links: WDTD and CIWRO at WDTD. 

Position Overview

This position helps the NWS to train forecasters on using NWS software with a particular focus on decision making for severe weather warnings. This software (known as AWIPS) is the system forecasters use to analyze data, prepare forecasts, and issue warnings. The incumbent develops expertise with the software and its configuration, collaborates with subject matter experts, and uses a variety of tools, applications, and communication platforms to instruct NWS forecasters. 

Job Responsibilities

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

Qualifications

  • A Master’s Degree in Meteorology, Atmospheric Science, or related
  • Ability to work collaborative with others in a team environment
  • Possess strong oral and written communication skills needed for various training environments
  • Have an aptitude for performing technical tasks with attention to detail
  • Selected candidates must pass a standard federal background check and be a S. citizen or permanent resident to obtain unsupervised access to federal systems and office space.

Desired Experience

Although not required to be selected, candidates should identify if they have any of these skills:

  • Strong web programming (e.g., HTML, XML, JavaScript) skills
  • Experience with Python and/or Bash shell scripting and the Linux operating system
  • Experience related to severe weather forecasting, operations, or research
  • Experience with graphical design
  • Experience with providing technical support to customers
  • Experience with teaching and coaching others and/or content development for training or technical documentation

How to Apply

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

Why Work at CIWRO?

CIWRO offers ways to develop your career by providing a structured career-track program that allows for advancement and professional prestige, opportunities to participate in inter-agency collaboration and increasing your visibility within the NWS, NOAA, and the broader weather community, as well as numerous opportunities to develop new professional skills/tools. We offer a salary that is based on experience and includes generous University of Oklahoma benefits (https://jobs.ou.edu/Discover-OU). CIWRO supports a diverse, non-discriminatory workforce that respects the culture, beliefs and practices of all employees as well as maintaining a healthy work/life balance. 

Who We Are

CIWRO is the largest research organization at the University of Oklahoma 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. 

OU (located in Norman, OK; see http://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 the education field of employers with more than 5,000 employees.