Assistant Meteorologist/Smoke Management Forecaster, Natural Resource Scientist 3 (NRSci 3)

Assistant Meteorologist/Smoke Management Forecaster, Natural Resource Scientist 3 (NRSci 3)
Recruitment #2024-2-A360
Full-time, Permanent, Represented position
Location: Natural Resources Building- Olympia, WA
Location flexibility may be available and considered
Work Hours and Partial Telework flexibility may be available and considered
Salary: $5,479.00 – $7,368.00 Monthly 

Want to join something GREAT and make a difference?
The Wildland Fire Management Division is seeking a Meteorologist to expand the Plans and Predictive Services Section! This position is an exciting opportunity to develop your own program and shape the future of prescribed fire and wildfire in Washington. You will be responsible for the Smoke Management Program and lead two Air Resource Specialists in their duties related to prescribed burn evaluation, ambient air quality monitoring, and wildfire smoke forecasting. Additionally, this position will assist the Lead Meteorologist in duties related to fire preparedness, fire operations, and aviation weather decision support. You are encouraged to get actively involved in wildfire operations by pursuing and maintaining incident qualifications such as Air Resource Advisor or Incident Meteorologist.

The Smoke Management Program is currently responsible for administering the Washington Smoke Management Plan (SMP) by coordinating all silvicultural burning within the state. Under your guidance, the program is set to expand its responsibilities by adding dedicated smoke forecasters, developing a deployable air quality monitoring program, and performing research to advance the science of smoke forecasting. You will be the agency’s lead wildfire smoke impacts coordinator and frequently work with federal partners (National Weather Service/US Forest Service/EPA), state partners (Department of Health, Department of Ecology), and numerous local partners to advance public health and safety in Washington.

Responsibilities:

• Leads Air Resource Specialists in evaluating weather data to make recommendations to agency management regarding burn bans and approval of burn permits.
• Develops wildfire smoke forecasts and communication tools for statewide use.
• Leads cross-agency coordination to assess smoke impacts from wildland fire and prescribed fire.
• Coordinate with agency partners on the installation and deployment of air monitors ahead of or during smoke events that result in poor air quality.
• Provide interpretation of fire weather meteorology and other sciences related to weather, air
  quality, and the fire environment to agency executives and Wildland Fire Management Division (WFMD) staff.
• Supports Fire Regulation Program and Fire Training Program

Required Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in meteorology or related field AND three years forecasting fire weather and smoke conditions;
  OR equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
• Experienced communicator, both verbally and in writing.
• Commitment to fostering and supporting an environment that honors diversity, equity, inclusion, and environmental justice practices.
• Perform assigned duties in a manner consistent with applicable laws, regulations and public records retention and requests are followed.
• Ability to schedule and facilitate meetings with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to interact with team members and provide high-level customer service both in-person and in a virtual working environment.