Meteorologist - Electric Reliability Council of Texas

At ERCOT, our diverse and dynamic work environment provides a platform on which employees can work together to build the future of the Texas power grid and wholesale market utilizing the latest technologies and resources. We encourage you to join our talented, dedicated workforce to develop world-class solutions for today and tomorrow’s energy challenges while learning new skills and growing your career. ERCOT is committed to fostering diversity and inclusion at all levels of our company. It is the cornerstone of our corporate values of accountability, leadership, innovation, trust, and expertise. We accept and celebrate those that join us and recognize that individuals with a wide variety of talents, ideas, and experiences propel the innovation that drives our success. A diverse and inclusive workforce strengthens us and allows for a collaborative environment to solve the challenges that face our industry today and in the future. Meteorologist conducts weather forecasting for the ERCOT service area. Provides oversight of short-term weather forecasting including communication of this information and resulting implications to System Operations. Create medium-range and seasonal outlooks, monitors drought conditions, hurricanes and other severe weather, and has familiarity with renewable forecasting. Meteorologist will work closely with the load forecaster. JOB DUTIES Broadly applies principles, theories and concepts related to the profession. A seasoned, experienced professional with an in-depth/full understanding of area of specialization. May provide recommendations regarding issues outside the bounds of defined procedures and practices. Demonstrates good judgment in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions. Wide latitude for decisions within assignments, programs, and projects; impact is generally limited to the project or department. Acts as a resource to advise and may at times a lead the work of lower level professional and/or support employees. Generally, represents the department on projects and may perform in a project leadership role. ADDITIONAL JOB DUTIES Resolves issues of diverse scope and demonstrates sound judgment in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions Maintains and expands strong professional relationships both internally and externally May serve as the representative on cross-functional teams and projects Maintains knowledge of emerging trends and industry best practices Communicates results to appropriate stakeholders, including maintaining regular communication with the management team, providing relevant information to ensure compliance with all applicable requirements Responds to executive and management inquiries and special reporting requests Demonstrates skills as an expert user of software applications and tools, spreadsheet programs, and forecasting models Continually monitors current weather conditions and discusses changing weather conditions, especially fronts, cloud cover and precipitation, and the potential effects on load, with System Operations Collaborates on current and next day load forecasts during day shift Gathers and analyzes meteorological data from public and private sources. Use all sources to develop a short-term weather forecast, with a focus on temperature, cloud cover, wind speed (winter) and humidity (summer). Notify System Operations of any significant changes to forecast Maintains and develops tools that visualize current and future weather conditions Supports need for mid- and long-term weather information, including mid-term temperature forecasts and seasonal outlooks Calculates error metrics for previous day’s weather forecasts from vendors and own weather forecast. Compares forecasted weather conditions with actual values from the previous overnight period Prepares a brief weather discussion for the next seven days, paying particular attention to dynamic weather (e.g. fronts) and communicates with Manager of Load Forecasting, Manager of System Operations and the day shift supervisor as appropriate Calls attention to high-impact weather features beyond the short term, such as long stretches of cold or hot weather, strong fronts, severe weather, etc Creates own weather forecast as necessary, for input into load forecasting models REQUIRED EXPERIENCE Requires minimum 2 years job related work experience in excess of degree requirements Requires minimum 2 years progressively responsible experience in operational meteorology and weather risk analysis Requires proficiency in MS Office application suite, specifically Excel Salary and level will be based on overall experience as determined by ERCOT. PREFERRED EXPERIENCE Computer programming knowledge or experience with Python and SAS Experience with Itron forecasting software (Metrix ND/Metrix IDR) Experience with solar and wind forecasting techniques Minimum 2 years’ experience with power systems grid operations and assessing impact of weather conditions on load EDUCATION Bachelor's Degree: Meteorology or related field (Required) Master's Degree: Meteorology or related field (Preferred) or a combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge to a major in such fields is required WORK LOCATION: This position is Hybrid. Employees will be required to be on-site in Taylor, TX at least 2-3 days per week, or more, as needed based on the business needs as determined by management On-site schedules are flexible or may be rotated based on business needs as determined by the Manager Remote work is required to be performed from your Texas residence. Employees may opt to work on-site more than required or 100% of the time The foregoing description reflects the minimum qualifications and the essential functions of the position that must be performed proficiently with or without reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. It is not an exhaustive list of the duties expected to be performed, and management may, at its discretion, revise or require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned. This job description is not intended to create a contract of employment with ERCOT. Both ERCOT and the employee may exercise their employment-at-will rights at any time. #LI-Hybrid, #LI-MH1 ERCOT is firmly committed to equal employment for all qualified persons without regard to race, sex, medical condition, religion, age, creed, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, ancestry, veteran status, genetic information or any other protected category under federal, state or local law. Expected Salary Range: $85,685 - $145,683 The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) manages the flow of electric power to 27 million Texas customers - representing about 90 percent of the state's electric load. As the independent system operator for the region, ERCOT schedules power on an electric grid that connects more than 54,100 miles of transmission lines and 1,250 generating units. ERCOT also performs financial settlement for the competitive wholesale bulk-power market and administers retail switching for 8 million premises in competitive choice areas. ERCOT is a membership-based 501(c)(4) nonprofit corporation, governed by a board of directors and subject to oversight by the Public Utility Commission of Texas and the Texas Legislature. ERCOT's members include consumers, cooperatives, generators, power marketers, retail electric providers, investor-owned electric utilities (transmission and distribution providers,) and municipal-owned electric utilities. ERCOT offers an excellent benefits package, which includes health, dental, vision, life insurance, long/short-term disability insurance, long-term care insurance, Section 125 Flexible Spending Account, and a Retirement Savings Plan. The medical, dental, vision, and quality-of-life benefits offered by ERCOT are second to none. Full-time employees are eligible to enroll in benefits on the first of the month following the date of hire. Additionally, 401(k) plans are available to help employees plan for the future. The ERCOT Internship Program provides college students the opportunity to develop their skills in a professional work environment. Each intern will receive unique projects and assignments that aim to solve real challenges facing the electric industry. ERCOT internships provide professional learning experiences that offer meaningful, practical work related to each student's desired career path. Eligible candidates should be enrolled in an academic bachelors or post graduate degree program maintaining a GPA of 3.0 or higher. The ERCOT Engineer Development Program (EDP) is a 12- to 16-month, self-paced program geared toward entry-level engineers looking to start a career in the power industry. Through the program, an EDP Engineer receives one-on-one mentoring, specialized training, and exposure to the work performed by each of the engineering groups at ERCOT. The program allows engineers to develop the fundamental skills necessary to reach their full potential while gaining an understanding of the types of engineering work ERCOT has to offer. EDP management supports participants each step of the way as they progress through the program. Upon completion, graduates are placed as full-time engineers within one of ERCOT’s engineering groups. The GMS Development Program (GDP) is designed to provide entry-level and early career professionals with the skills necessary to become successful Power System and Computer Engineers. The program, which is based in ERCOT’s Grid and Market Solutions (GMS) Department, will provide experience in day-to-day work and instruction in the fundamentals of electric power systems engineering, grid and market applications, software programming, and IT service and operations management. The GDP offers one-on-one mentoring, training, field trips, and special assignments. These assignments allow GDP engineers to become knowledgeable and familiar with the various business areas at ERCOT. The GMS leadership team prepares GDP engineers for a future career at ERCOT in power systems and computer engineering. The System Operator Development Program (ODP) is intended to combine real-time daily operations in an exciting work setting to prepare participants with the vital skills necessary to be successful in such a critical position — providing 24x7x365 on-demand support to manage the flow of electric power to more than 26 million Texas customers. If you are new to the industry, this program introduces you to the Bulk Electric System by combining introductory courses with the NERC Certification Exam Preparation Program in preparation to pass the NERC Certification Exam.