Meteorological Forecaster Trainer

 

Background information

The Met Office College delivers high quality meteorology training to Met Office staff and increasingly to external customers, of which a high proportion is weather forecaster training. The College is one of the most respected training colleges worldwide in this field with a team of highly skilled staff. The training from the College ensures that both internal and external staff have the appropriate standard skills in meteorology, which is vital to business success – whether for the Met Office or external organisations. In the future, it is envisaged that  the College will also deliver climate-change training.

Purpose of the job

To deliver training in meteorology, and possibly climate change in the future, to required standards as set by the Met Office and appropriate accreditation organisations (in the case of weather forecasting training, this is to World Met Organization (WMO) standards).

Main responsibilities

• Deliver training in meteorological theory; operational weather forecasting practice, and observing and use of forecast visualisation systems (with a possible requirement for climate change in the future).
• Develop and update appropriate training materials, with an emphasis on using PowerPoint.
• Develop, plan and organise the aims and objectives of one or more specific areas of training, in consultation with different customer groups.
• Provide input into the longer-term planning of training for the College and Met Office.
• Assess candidates for the NVQs in Weather Forecasting and/or Meteorological Observing.
• If and when appropriate, keep up to date with operational forecasting by occasionally working on an operational roster.

Qualifications required

 

Essential

• Successful completion of the Forecaster Foundation Training Programme or equivalent.

Desirable

• NVQ level 4 in Meteorological Forecasting.
• Be willing to become a qualified NVQ (A1) assessor.

Knowledge, skills, experience and behaviours required

 

Essential

• Demonstrate a sound theoretical knowledge and experience of operational meteorology, including weather forecasting.
• Demonstrate the ability and flexibility to generate customer-focused solutions in a changing environment.
• Demonstrate excellent communication and presentation skills, and an interest in training.
• Demonstrate excellent interpersonal and team-working skills.

Desirable

• Experience of operational meteorology, including weather forecasting, in two of the following areas: defence, civil aviation, commercial or broadcasting and training development and delivery.
• Proven ability to undertake operational observing.
• An interest in climate change and IT.
• Willingness to keep up-to-date forecasting experience and techniques by occasionally working on an operational roster.

Additional information

We also offer opportunities for working between training and areas of operational meteorology in a shared work arrangement (50/50 or other split). Most of the training will take place at the Met Office College, but occasionally there maybe a requirement to work elsewhere in the UK and/or abroad.

The Met Office College trainer role is a demanding but rewarding one. It provides considerable opportunities for development, particularly in communication, customer service provision, planning and meteorological understanding.

Benefits and facilities

• As an employee of the Met Office you will be eligible to join the Nuvos Civil Service Pension Scheme with a low employee contribution. This is a defined benefit scheme which the Met Office, as an employer, contributes to. You also have the option to join a partnership scheme where the employer can contribute and the employee can contribute if you wish. For more details please see the Civil Service Pensions website.
• Annual Leave allowance of 25 days (plus 8 days public holiday and 2½ privilege days taken at fixed times during the year).
• Training opportunities.
• Performance-related pay.
• The Met Office sports and social club.
• The potential to work in different areas within the same organisation. Employees are expected to complete 24 months in post before applying for alternative posts within the Met Office.

Guaranteed Interview Scheme for disabled applicants

To widen the pool of candidates on which to draw, we guarantee an interview to any disabled applicant who meets the published minimum criteria for the post/entry level.

To qualify for a guaranteed interview, you do not have to be registered as a disabled person but you must have a disability or long-term health condition that puts you at a substantial disadvantage in either obtaining or keeping employment. The disability must be likely to last for at least 12 months.

To apply for a guaranteed interview, please complete the appropriate section of the application form. When appropriate, you should provide details of any particular arrangements you will require for the interview, e.g. car parking, speech facilitator.

Any false declaration of disability to obtain an interview may invalidate any resultant contract of employment.

Relocation

Unless stated in the job advert, financial support is not available for candidates to move to the job location.

Mobility

Normally, staff appointed at Job Level 4 and above automatically have a mobility clause in their employment contract, which means they may be required to serve at other UK mainland locations. Some Job Level 5 staff may also have a mobility commitment, depending upon the job.

Nationality requirements

In common with all United Kingdom (UK) Civil Service departments and Executive Agencies, applicants for employment in the Met Office are required to satisfy certain nationality requirements. For full guidance see the UK Home Office 'Working in the UK' website, where you will find information about working in the UK.

Again, in common with all UK Civil Service departments and Executive Agencies, some posts in the Met Office are 'reserved' for UK nationals only. Applicants who are not UK nationals should be aware that further career prospects might be affected.

Application forms and further information

Download application form (PDF, 653 kb)

Guidance notes and information for applicants (PDF, 58 kb)

Download equal opportunities form (PDF, 922 kb - to be returned along with the application form)

If you require a Word version of the application form, please e-mail HREnquiries@metoffice.gov.uk including the words 'application request' in the subject line. An automatic e-mail will be returned to you immediately. If you have not received an e-mail within 48 hours then please contact us.

Alternatively, you can call or write to:

HR Customer Services
Met Office
FitzRoy Road
Exeter
EX1 3PB

Tel: 01392 885000

Please mark your request or returned application form: Meteorology Trainer 001392 (P)

Thank you for your interest if you apply for this position. However, due to the high numbers that apply for positions in the Met Office we are unable to reply to each applicant individually. Therefore, if you have had no response from us within four weeks of the closing date you may assume you have been unsuccessful.