Network Specialist - Aircraft Based Observations
Met Office
Apply before 11:55 pm on Wednesday 2nd October 2024
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About the job
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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.
World changing work
From science to technology, from meteorology to management, and from planning to communication, our expertise helps us stand out as the authority on weather accuracy and climate prediction. We help individuals, industries and government to make better decisions to stay safe and thrive. This is the Met Office. This is who we are.
- We’re a force for good - focusing on our environmental and social impact
- We’re experts by nature - always learning and developing to do things better
- We live and breathe it - putting our purpose at the heart of decision-making
- We’re better together - understanding partnerships and inclusivity make us greater
- We keep evolving - pushing boundaries to make tomorrow better for our customers
Your world of expertise
The Upper Air Observations (UAO) Team within Technical Services is responsible for the operational delivery of upper air observations services from a wide range of technologies and networks in the UK overseas, to both internal and external customers. There's an increasing demand for more observational data and new and innovative ways of meeting the customer requirements for data.
You will be responsible for managing the day-to-day delivery of observations from aircraft-based observing systems in the UK, including the MODE-S and AMDAR networks; undertaking in-depth evaluation of performance, coordinating activities to resolve problems and liaising with internal and external customers over service delivery. You will also be responsible for managing third party aircraft data networks including Global Mode-S and Water Vapour systems
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.
Person specification
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
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
Selection process details
If you share our values, we’d love to hear from you! Click apply to begin your application. Please complete your career history and provide evidence against each of the essential criteria in the supporting statement questionnaire. We recommend candidates use the CARL method (Context, Action, Result and Learning) for presenting evidence of experience and skills.
Closing date 02/10/2024 at 23:59 with first stage interviews commencing from 14/10/2024. You will hear from us once the closing date has passed.
How we can help
If you are considering applying and need support to do so, please contact us via careers@metoffice.gov.uk. You can request adjustments either within your application or by contacting us. Should you be offered an interview, please be aware there may be a selection exercise which could include a presentation, written test or a scenario-based activity. You can select in your application to be considered under the Disability Confident Scheme. To be invited to interview/assessment under this scheme, your application must meet the essential criteria for the role.
We understand that great minds don’t always think alike and as an equal opportunities employer we welcome applications from those with all protected characteristics. We recruit on merit, fairness, and open competition in line with the Civil Service Code.
We can only accept applications from those eligible to live and work in the UK - please refer to GOV.UK for information. We require Security clearance, for which you need to have resided in the UK for at least 3 of the last 5 years to be eligible. You will need to achieve full security clearance within your first 6 months with us.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
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Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
Diversity and Inclusion
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Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Resourcing Team
- Email : Careers@metoffice.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : Careers@metoffice.gov.uk
