RAI Aviation Weather Testbed Meteorologist/Developer

Colorado State University, United States

Updated: over 1 year ago
Location: Kansas City, MISSOURI
Deadline: 22 Aug 2022

Posting Details
Posting Detail Information


Working Title RAI Aviation Weather Testbed Meteorologist/Developer
Position Location Kansas City, MO
Is this position eligible for hybrid or remote work?
Research Professional Position Yes
Posting Number 202201107AP
Position Type Admin Professional/ Research Professional
Classification Title Research Associate I
Number of Vacancies
Work Hours/Week 40
Proposed Annual Salary Range $42,000-$52,000
Employee Benefits
Colorado State University (CSU) is committed to providing employees with a strong and competitive benefits package that supports you, your health, and your family. Visit CSU’s Human Resources website for detailed benefit plan information for permanent full-time and part-time faculty and administrative professional employees in the following University benefit areas: https://hr.colostate.edu/hr-community-and-supervisors/benefits/benefits-eligibility/ & https://hr.colostate.edu/prospective-employees/our-perks/ .
Desired Start Date
Position End Date (if temporary)
To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on 08/22/2022
Description of Work Unit
The Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere (CIRA) at Colorado State University (CSU) seeks to fill a professional scientific position designed to perform full-time collaborative research with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) located at the National Weather Service (NWS) / Aviation Weather Center (AWC) / Aviation Weather Testbed (AWT) in Kansas City, MO. This position is located in a federal facility in Kansas City, MO and requires the ability to pass a National Agency Check with Inquiries (NACI, federal background check) for building access.
The AWC in Kansas City, Missouri has a long history of supporting and transitioning research into operations for the NWS to support the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and other aviation partners. Contained within AWC, the AWT provides the infrastructure and facilities to develop, test, and evaluate new and emerging scientific techniques, products, and services. The AWT actively engages in the research-to-operations process by supporting applied research, verifying the quality and scientific validity of new techniques and products, and providing a common venue for both forecasters and researchers to engage in developing and testing state-of-the art aviation weather services.
The AWC and AWT collaborate with universities, governmental forecast centers and research laboratories, FAA and other aviation partners, International Meteorological Watch Offices, and other NOAA and NWS organizations. The AWC maintains 24×7 global forecasting and warning operations, and the AWT supports aviation meteorology hazards training, applied research, and transitioning research-to-operations. CIRA is a collaborating partner with the AWC on a number of research projects and activities. CIRA professionals assist the AWC/AWT in supporting, developing, testing, and transitioning aviation weather research into NWS operations.
Position Summary
This position is designed for a first-level, introductory Meteorological scientist and operational support staff member, with potential for considerable growth. The individual in this position will report to an on-site CIRA Supervisor at AWC and work closely with NWS federal collaborators, aviation partners, and a federal advisor to improve NWS aviation weather services by using research to create, test, and implement meteorological tools.
Required Job Qualifications
  • Bachelor of Science degree in Meteorology with less than 3 years of related experience;
  • Scientific programming experience with a scripting OR data processing language (e.g., Python, Linux/Unix shell scripting);
  • Knowledge of weather forecast models and atmospheric data;
  • Demonstrated experience with Linux/Unix Operating Systems;
  • Ability to pass a National Agency Check with Inquiries (NACI, federal background check);
  • Willingness to abide by all federal COVID-19 vaccine mandate guidance stated for contractors/affiliates working within a federal facility;
  • Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States by the start date. CIRA will not sponsor a visa for this position now nor in the future.
Preferred Job Qualifications
  • Experience with or willingness to learn about:
    • Web application technologies such as HTML, CSS and JavaScript;
    • A compiled language (e.g., C, C++, FORTRAN, or Java);
    • Working with and interrogating large geophysical data sets;
    • Geophysical data visualization tools (e.g., MATLAB, AWIPS-2, etc.);

  • Ability to adapt as needed and work well in a dynamic, team environment;
  • Knowledge of or willingness to learn environmental and meteorological data formats (e.g. GRIB, NetCDF);
  • Familiarity with weather forecasting;
  • Familiarity with or willingness to learn about code management tools (e.g., svn, git).
Diversity Statement
Reflecting departmental and institutional values, candidates are expected to have the ability to advance the Department’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Essential Duties


Job Duty Category Meteorological Tools and Process Development
Duty/Responsibility
  • Originate and contribute research-to-operations and operations-to-research initiatives that improve aviation weather forecast services;
  • Develop and support aviation services, capabilities, and tools within an assortment of NWS systems [e.g., Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System (AWIPS), NOAA Integrated Dissemination Program (IDP), AWC data center, NOAA Weather and Climate Operational Supercomputing System (WCOSS)];
  • Work with NWS aviation stakeholders to propose, develop, and evaluate forecast and dissemination processes that are operationally viable;
  • Design, evaluate, and implement new forecast techniques and aviation impact diagnostics using operational observations and forecast models, particularly emerging high-resolution models and ensemble forecast systems;
  • Engineer and execute interactive AWT experiments partnering with other portions of the NWS, the FAA, research institutions, and private industry;
  • Manage and ingest large meteorological data sets to support analysis and processing of experimental products, algorithms, techniques, and decision support tools;
  • Create and facilitate training to support operationalization of new or updated tools, data, and processes.
Percentage Of Time 70%
Job Duty Category Collaborative Research Coordination
Duty/Responsibility
  • Conduct applied operational research to assist the NWS in developing solutions to the meteorological and air traffic requirements for the FAA;
  • Provide subject matter expertise on aviation weather data transmission and dissemination;
  • Represent the AWT by contributing to formal scientific publications and attending off-site conferences, symposia, and aviation weather-related outreach events.
Percentage Of Time 20%
Job Duty Category Documentation and Reporting
Duty/Responsibility
  • Prepare software and system documentation in collaboration with team members;
  • Prepare status reports as required by the project sponsor and CIRA;
  • Prepare and deliver technical talks and presentations, as requested.
Percentage Of Time 10%

Application Details


Special Instructions to Applicants
For a complete application, please submit a cover letter that addresses the minimum and preferred qualifications, a resume, and contact information for three professional references. References will not be contacted without prior notification of candidates.
Conditions of Employment Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires)
Search Contact Robyn Tessmer; [email protected]
EEO Statement
Colorado State University is committed to providing an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based on race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or pregnancy in its employment, programs, services and activities, and admissions, and, in certain circumstances, marriage to a co-worker. The University will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. Colorado State University is an equal opportunity and equal access institution and affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all Federal and Colorado State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. The Office of Equal Opportunity is located in 101 Student Services.
The Title IX Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Title IX Programs and Gender Equity, 123 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-1715, [email protected] .
The Section 504 and ADA Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836, [email protected] .
The Coordinator for any other forms of misconduct prohibited by the University’s Policy on Discrimination and Harassment is the Vice President for Equity, Equal Opportunity and Title IX, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, Co. 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836, [email protected] .
Any person may report sex discrimination under Title IX to the Office of Civil Rights, Department of Education .
Background Check Policy Statement
Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

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