Meteorologist

Summary This position is within the Bonneville Power Administration's Power Services, under Generation Asset Management, Power and Operations Planning, and finally, Weather and Streamflow Forecasting. Join a mission-critical team as a Meteorologist whose forecasts directly guide renewable energy operations for the regional power grid. In this role, you will develop cutting-edge weather models and provide data that ensures the stability of our hydroelectric system. Duties Forecast the Future of Clean Energy

At the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), we're at the forefront of the nation's transition to a reliable, affordable, and carbon-free energy future. As a Meteorologist on our team, you won't just predict the weather-you'll provide the critical intelligence that powers the Pacific Northwest. Your expertise will directly guide the operation of one of the largest clean energy systems in the country, ensuring grid stability and shaping the future of renewable power.

Here's how you'll make an impact:

• Guide Clean Energy Operations: Develop and issue critical daily, weekly, and seasonal weather forecasts that directly influence hydroelectric operations and energy demand planning for the vast Columbia River Basin.
• Innovate and Pioneer: Go beyond standard procedures by inventing and adapting new forecasting techniques to solve complex challenges, especially during extreme weather events like droughts and floods.
• Drive Technological Advancement: Take a hands-on role in developing, managing, and enhancing our sophisticated, Linux-based weather forecasting platform and its custom software.
• Advance the Science of Forecasting: Drive forecast accuracy and operational efficiency by researching and applying advanced meteorological science, models, and cutting-edge principles to our hydroelectric system.
• Investigate Complex Climate Phenomena: Analyze large-scale climate drivers-like El Niño cycles and ocean-atmosphere interactions-using modern data analytics to improve long-range predictions for renewable energy.
• Protect People and Infrastructure: Serve as a vital source of information by issuing timely, severe weather warnings that ensure the safety of field personnel and the protection of critical infrastructure.
• Lead and Publish Groundbreaking Research: Lead and present authoritative research on meteorological forecasting and climate assessments to the broader scientific community, representing BPA at professional conferences and workshops.
• Serve as a Technical Expert: Act as a subject matter expert by providing technical oversight for key contracts and partnerships focused on advanced research in climate science and renewable energy forecasting.

This position is located in Portland, OR which boasts huge spans of amazing trees, foliage, landscape, and everywhere you look you can appreciate beautiful greenery! It is known as the most bike-friendly city in America, has a train system that greets you at the airport spanning across the city, and is home to the Portland International Rose Garden, the oldest in the country! Portland is the one place where you will find lively festivals, energetic music, mouthwatering food, and for you basketball fans, the Portland Trail Blazers are a 7 minute walk from the HQs building! There is always something new to experience in this eco-friendly town!

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENT:

• Degree: meteorology, atmospheric science, or other natural science major that included:
• At least 24 semester (36 quarter) hours of credit in meteorology/atmospheric science including a minimum of:
• Six semester hours of atmospheric dynamics and thermodynamics;*
• Six semester hours of analysis and prediction of weather systems (synoptic/mesoscale);
• Three semester hours of physical meteorology; and
• Two semester hours of remote sensing of the atmosphere and/or instrumentation.
• Six semester hours of physics, with at least one course that includes laboratory sessions.*
• Three semester hours of ordinary differential equations.*
• At least nine semester hours of course work appropriate for a physical science major in any combination of three or more of the following: physical hydrology, statistics, chemistry, physical oceanography, physical climatology, radiative transfer, aeronomy, advanced thermodynamics, advanced electricity and magnetism, light and optics, and computer science.
• There is a prerequisite or corequisite of calculus for course work in atmospheric dynamics and thermodynamics, physics, and differential equations. Calculus courses must be appropriate for a physical science major.

or

• Combination of education and experience -- course work as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level in the Federal service.

GS-11: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level [GS-9] in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as experience in at least 3 of the following 5 statements: 1) Assisting with gathering data from meteorological sources for weather forecasts or research; 2) Developing and providing forecasts for internal customers; 3) Interpolating meteorological data output from forecast models; 4) Assisting with scientific analyses, technical calculations or literature reviews in support of projects assigned to higher level scientists or office supervisor; or 5) Learning and utilizing technological data systems, dashboards, or platforms that create weather forecasts or data analyses for internal customers.

Substitution of education for experience: GS-11:

• Three years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree, or Ph.D., or equivalent doctoral degree; your education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. -OR-
• Combination of education and experience as described above. Less than one year of specialized experience may be combined with graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level (i.e., credit hours beyond the first two years of full-time study may be credited).

GS-12: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level [GS-11] in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as experience in at least 3 of the following 5 statements: 1) Independently providing forecasts and briefings to decision makers on hazardous weather or water events; 2) Forecasting, analyzing and assessing the current and forecast weather situation at both the synoptic, mesoscale, and climate levels; 3) Conducting applied scientific research, data analysis, or studies to build on the office's state of the science; 4) Supporting major projects, office duties, and organizational studies directed by senior scientists or office supervisor; 5) Utilizing, developing and maintaining technological data systems, dashboards, or platforms that create weather forecasts or data analyses for internal customers.

"Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills; and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Time-in-Grade: Current Federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement to receive consideration.

CTAP/ICTAP candidates: To be considered "well qualified" you must meet all of the requirements as described in this section.

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Education This vacancy has a positive education requirement. Education must be obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. See Department of Education Accreditation Search to verify school accreditation.

Foreign education must be reviewed by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website.DO NOT email or mail in any of your application documents. Documents will not be accepted outside of the online application system.

In order to be rated as qualified, you must provide copies of your college transcripts. Failure to provide copies of your college transcripts may result in a rating of "Ineligible".Requirements In accordance with Executive Order 14170, applicants are encouraged to respond to four short, free-response, essay questions in the questionnaire. Answer to these questions is not scored or rated. Your answers will be reviewed by the hiring manager and agency leadership if you are referred for selection consideration

When you apply you will be asked a series of questions to determine your eligibility for employment and your qualification for this position specifically. You must answer all of these questions completely and truthfully.

Key Requirements:

• You must be a United States Citizen.
• This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
• Males must abide by Selective Service registration requirements.
• You will be required to report in person to the official duty location.

How you will be evaluated You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the eligibility and qualification requirements above. Once the announcement closes, we will conduct a review of your application package to verify your eligibility and qualifications. If you are found qualified, your application will move forward to additional phases of the review process.

Minimum Qualifications: Once the application process is complete, the Human Resources Offices or Subject Matter Expert (SME) will review your two-page resume and supporting documentation to determine whether you meet the minimum job qualifications.

Merit Promotion & VEOA Procedures: If you are minimally qualified for this job, you will be assessed and evaluated to determine if you are a best qualified candidate. Federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements and current employees must have at least a fully successful or equivalent performance rating to receive consideration.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

• Attention to Detail
• Customer Service
• Decision Making
• Flexibility
• Integrity/Honesty
• Interpersonal Skills
• Learning
• Reasoning
• Self-Management
• Stress Tolerance
• Teamwork

Non-competitive Procedures: If you are applying under a non-competitive or special hiring authority, you will still be required to answer the assessment questions. However, you will not be evaluated against the rating and ranking criteria.

Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine if you are minimally qualified for this job. Veterans' Preference will be applied when required by the hiring authority (e.g., VRA, Schedule A).

All qualified Non-competitive applicants and the best qualified Merit Promotion and VEOA applicants will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration.

Career Transition Assistance Programs: To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet the eligibility criteria; and 2) be rated "well-qualified", which is defined as having a score of 85 or better.

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date (11/12/2026) of this announcement.

To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13107353.

USAHire: To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. How to apply Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include submission of the required documentation specified in the Required Documents section. A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the announcement closing date to receive consideration.

The application process is as follows:

• You must have a login.gov account to sign into USAJOBS: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to/account.
• To begin the application process in USAJOBS, click the Apply Online button.
• Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all required and supporting documentation.
• You must click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 pm (ET) on the announcement closing date.
• After submitting an online application, you will be notified whether or not you are required to take additional online assessments through the USA Hire Competency Based Assessment system. This message will be delivered to you via email notification. The email may be routed to your "Spam" or "Junk" folder.
• If you are asked to take the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be presented with a unique URL to access the USA Hire system. Access to USA Hire is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials. Be sure to review all instructions prior to beginning your USA Hire Assessments. Click here for Computer System Requirements
• Note, set aside at least 3 hours to take these assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue at a later time, you can reuse the URL sent to you via email and also found in your USAJOBS account under the "Track my application" link for the corresponding application.

You may update your application, including supporting documentation, at any time during the announcement open period by returning to your USAJOBS account, select Update Application: https://login.usajobs.gov/Account/Login. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.

To verify the status of your application, during and after the announcement open period, log into your USAJOBS account; applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each application status means, visit: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to/application/status.

If you need help with login.gov or USAJOBS (e.g., account access, Resume Builder) visit the USAJOBS Help Center: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to

If you experience difficulty applying on USAJOBS, after clicking the Apply Online button, or you are experiencing a significant hardship hindering your ability to apply online, the Agency Contact listed in the announcement can assist you during normal business hours. If you receive any system error messages, take screenshots if possible, to aid technical support. Other information This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across DOE.

EEO Policy: USAJOBS Help Center | Equal employment opportunity policy

Reasonable Accommodation Policy: Employees or applicants may request Reasonable Accommodation (RA) for assistance, when applying or competing for a job or performing a job due to their medical condition or to exercise their religious beliefs. If you need reasonable accommodation in the application or selection process, please contact the Staffing Specialist listed on this vacancy announcement. USAJOBS Help Center | Reasonable accommodation policy

Reasonable Accommodation for USAHire: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a reasonable accommodation in your online application. Requests for Reasonable Accommodations for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for Reasonable Accommodation must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for Reasonable Accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a Reasonable Accommodation, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here.

Veterans Information: USAJOBS Help Center - Veterans

Veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Telework: https://www.opm.gov/telework/

Selective Service Registration: http://www.sss.gov/ - Who must register: https://www.sss.gov/faq/#who-needs-to-register

Hiring incentives may be authorized for a highly qualified candidate based on budget availability and in accordance with federal regulations.

BPA strives to ensure a safe and positive work environment.

We also understand the importance of work/life balance and offer a variety of programs and policies designed to create more flexible, responsive work environments supportive of commitments to community, home and family members. BPA also supports employees' overall wellness through its Be Well program, which helps employees adopt healthier lifestyles and feel better about their work/life balance. The program supports five key areas of life: career, community, financial, physical and social.