State of Maryland

A Meteorologist I is the entry level of meteorological work conducting air quality analyses and forecasts in support of the State’s ozone forecasting effort and developing air pollution modeling capabilities to test, review, verify and evaluate the effectiveness of air quality control strategies.  Employees in this classification do not supervise other positions.

Employees in this classification receive close supervision from a Meteorologist Senior or other technical supervisor.  Employees may be required to work day or evening hours which may include holidays and weekends.

Positions in this classification are evaluated by using the classification job evaluation methodology.  The use of this method involves comparing the assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work sections of the class specification.

The Meteorologist I, Meteorologist II and Meteorologist III are differentiated on the basis of degree of supervisory control exercised by the supervisor over these employees.  The Meteorologist I performs the duties under close supervision.  The Meteorologist II performs the duties under close supervision at times and under general supervision at times, depending on the complexity of the specific duty being performed.  The Meteorologist III performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision.

Learns to run meteorological dispersion and photochemical grid models to test, review, verify and evaluate the effectiveness of emissions control strategies;

Learns to analyze meteorological and air quality data, including ozone violation data, for modeling and forecasting purposes;

Learns to prepare detailed comments on air dispersion modeling protocols;

Learns to review and evaluate modeling performed by other expert sources, adapt pertinent meteorological studies and resolve technical modeling issues;

Assists in preparing project reports, correspondence and presentations on modeling results and meteorological forecasting;

Assists in testing new software that manipulates meteorological and emissions data into a format compatible with the photochemical grid models;

Learns to develop scientifically sound meteorological input for dispersion and photochemical grid models;

Assists in advising program administrators and managers as to the predicted increase in air pollution based on weather trends and varied emissions levels that reflect changes in population, fuel use, transportation patterns, and building development;

Learns to retrieve air monitoring data and track ozone violations in order to determine the pervasiveness and persistence of air pollution episodes;

Learns to prepare databases for use in modeling exercises and verify them for accuracy;

Learns to evaluate the appropriateness and adequacy of monitoring sites for air quality studies;

Participates in the installation, maintenance and operation of meteorological instrumentation;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of the principles and concepts of meso and synoptic scale meteorology;

Knowledge of physics and meteorological engineering;

Knowledge of the principals and practices of meteorological modeling;

Knowledge of statistical analysis,

Skill in using standard meteorological equipment;

Ability to use maps, graphics and meteorological models to forecast weather conditions and ozone formation;

Ability to learn to use computer hardware and software for meteorological and air quality monitoring, for retrieving, transmitting, analyzing and adapting data and for generating reports;

Ability to learn the effects of air pollutants on the environment and public health;

Ability to learn to use instruments to measure air pollution;

Ability to learn the effect of atmospheric chemistry and turbulence on the dispersion of airborne pollutants;

Ability to learn Federal and State laws and regulations governing air quality control;

Ability to learn to prepare and present technical reports.

Education:   A Bachelor of Science degree in meteorology or atmospheric physics from an accredited college or university.

Experience: None.

Note: Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in physical science classification or physical science specialty codes in the meteorology field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required education.

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies. Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions or each position.

This is a Skilled Service classification in the State Personnel Management System.  All positions in this classification are Skilled Service positions.  Some positions in Skilled Service classifications may be designated Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is assigned to Bargaining Unit G- Engineering, Scientific and Administrative Professionals classes.  As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial, and confidential employees are excluded from collective bargaining. Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.

Employees in this classification are eligible to receive overtime compensation.  An employee who works more than the normal workweek is entitled to be compensated for that overtime, as provided by the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 8-305.

This classification is one level in a Non-Competitive Promotion (NCP) series.  NCP promotions are promotions by which employees may advance in grade and class level from trainee to full performance levels in a classification series.  In order to be non-competitively promoted to the next level in a NCP series an employee must: 1) perform the main purpose of the class as defined in the Nature of Work section of the class specification; 2) receive the type of supervision defined in the class specification, and 3) meet the minimum qualifications of the classification.