Network Specialist - Aircraft Based Observations

at  Met Office

JOB SUMMARY

We’re looking for an exceptional Upper Air Observations Network Specialist working across our Aircraft Based Observations area to help us make a difference to our planet.

JOB DESCRIPTION

As our Aircraft Based Observations specialist, the job may be suitable for hybrid working, which is where an employee works part of the week in the office and part of the week from home. This is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement and the location advertised will be your contractual place of work.
Our opportunity is full time, 37 hours per week, but we would also consider applicants wishing to work a minimum of 30 hours per week. Our people are at the heart of what we do and we’ll do our best to agree a working pattern that works for everyone.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• A track record of working independently, planning own work and prioritising personal workloads from a range of customers to solve operational problems in a structured manner.
• Evidence of keeping evolving identifying where improvements to operational processes and services can and should be made, taking action as necessary to minimise future risk and/or improve service delivery to customers.
• An expert by nature with the proven ability to a) exchange complex technical information with users of varying knowledge; and b) train team members to undertake complex operational tasks in a consistent manner.
• An understanding of the importance of upper air observations to the work of the Met Office.
• A broad knowledge of current Upper Air Observing systems, the scientific principles behind the measurement methodologies, the characteristics of the observational data obtained and the typical impacts on performance that might arise from external sources.
• A Science or Engineering degree or the equivalent experience in one of these disciplines
• Experience of line management or a willingness to develop skills in this space prior to taking on line management responsibilities.
  Benefits
  Alongside your salary of £41,725, Met Office contributes £12,087 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
  Our work is life-changing, often life-saving and always life-enhancing. The Met Office is accredited as a ‘Great Place to Work UK 2023’ and in addition has achieved a place on both the UK’s ‘Best Workplaces in Tech’ and ‘Best Workplaces for Women’ lists.

As our Network Specialist – Aircraft Based Observations, your total reward package will be up to £57,639 annually, which includes:

• £41,725 base pay.
• An outstanding Civil Service pension, with an average employer contribution of 27%.
• Annual Leave starting at 27.5 days (plus Bank Holidays) rising to 32.5 days (plus Bank Holidays) after 5 years and option to buy or sell up to 5 days per year of annual leave.

Things you need to know

NATIONALITY REQUIREMENTS

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

TYPE OF ROLE

Engineering
Environment and Sustainability
Quality
Science

YOUR KEY DUTIES

• Direct, manage and monitor the delivery of aircraft-based observing networks and ensure these services are delivered to the customer at the agreed levels of quality and cost.
• Develop the work plans, including budgetary information for aircraft-based observing networks and contribute to the setting of the strategic direction for that area.
• Working with the UAO Network Manager, act as the authority for changes to the existing operational aircraft-based observing networks, systems and services and ensure the successful implementation of new operational systems and strategies that support the success of these services.
• To lead and develop members of staff in the Upper Air Observations team to ensure staff achieve their potential and to improve cross-team working to increase the efficiency of service delivery. This includes the potential for direct line management.
• To negotiate with and influence internal and external suppliers and partners to ensure operational aircraft-based observational services meet current and future customer requirements. Including robust contract management.
• Develop the strategy for aircraft observing making recommendations to the network manager on how to meet increasing demand for data and balance cost.