Weather Data Specialist

Weather Observer

Supports the National Science Foundation managed United States Antarctic Program as part of the Antarctic Support Contract (ASC). The Weather Observer will perform weather observing and data collection tasking under the supervision of the Meteorological Operations Manager and Camp Manager.

Position Responsibilities:

• Maintains a safe workplace program and ensures that safety is the highest priority in the workplace
• Complies with all ASC Environmental, Safety and Health (ESH), Waste Management and Quality Assurance requirements, goals, policies and procedures
• Weather observation is primary responsibility. Intensive weather reporting occurs on days when there are flights. Observation, recording, and reporting of surface weather conditions begins six hours before aircraft depart McMurdo station
• Hourly observations are reported via Portable Polar Meteorological Kit (PPMK) and to MacWeather forecaster via Iridium phone during PPMK outage

Responsibilities on non-flight days:

• Reports three times a day
• Observes, records and reports wind direction, wind speed, cloud height, cloud cover, surface visibility, and other weather conditions and phenomena following Federal Meteorological Handbook (FMH1-b) standards
• Maintains and reports Quality Control Report to Meteorological Operations Manager
• Sets up and maintains portable weather station and operates handheld ceilometer
• Operates and maintains backup sensors
• Assists with daily reporting

Duties may include the following:

• Loading/unloading aircraft
• Communicates with load masters and aircraft personnel
• Prepares cargo for movement
• May separate and dispose of materials
• Tracks and manifests hazardous waste
• Responsible for packaging and documenting hazardous cargo

Fuel responsibilities:

• Performs fuel tests on aviation fuel
• Performs fuel transfers, via pipe, hose and tanks
• May refuel aircraft, buildings and vehicles with hand or electric pump

Mechanical responsibilities:

• Assists with tracking maintenance and repair needs of all equipment in camp
• Assists with operating small mechanical equipment
• Provides mechanical assistance in the repair of vehicles and other equipment
• Operates light equipment vehicles, such as snow mobiles and tracked vehicles

Science support/customer service:

• Assists grantees with support requests and needs

Required skills and qualifications:

• High School diploma or GED
• Minimum of three years' experience in any of the following: METAR weather observation reporting, equipment operation, cargo movement, fuel operations, mechanical equipment proficiency, logistics support, or other related experience
• One of the three years' experience must be in weather observation (METAR) code (required)

Expected Skills and Competencies:

• Demonstrated ability to observe, record and report wind direction, wind speed, cloud height, cloud cover, surface visibility, and other METAR weather conditions
• Demonstrated ability to work in remote and isolated environments
• Computer competency and proficient in MS Office Suite

Benefits:

• Willingness and ability to deploy to Antarctica for extended periods
• Successful completion of Medical and Dental examinations required by the NSF for deployment to Antarctica
• Successful completion of drug screening and background check required by employer
• Successful completion of Federal Background Check required by the NSF

Others:

• Must be willing and able to lift and move items, parts, assemblies, and equipment up to the safety regulation maximum as required by the position
• Must be willing and able to perform physical activities including heavy lifting, climbing in and out of equipment, crawling, and working outdoors in extreme cold as required by the position
• Must participate in community programs, such as 'house-mouse' (chores), 'daisy-picking' (cleaning-up around the station), recycling efforts & safety objectives
• Valid Driver's License issued in the United States

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