State of Maryland

A Meteorologist II is the intermediate 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 moderate 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. 

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

Analyzes meteorological and air quality data, including ozone violation data, for modeling and forecasting purposes;

Prepares detailed comments on air dispersion modeling protocols;

Reviews and evaluates modeling performed by other expert sources, adapts pertinent meteorological studies and resolves technical modeling issues;

Prepares project reports, correspondence and presentations on modeling results and meteorological forecasting;

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

Develops 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;

Assists in making recommendations regarding air pollution control strategies;

Retrieves air monitoring data and tracks ozone violations in order to determine the pervasiveness and persistence of air pollution episodes;

Prepares databases for use in modeling exercises and verifies them for accuracy;

Evaluates 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 atmospheric chemistry and turbulence as they affect the dispersion of airborne pollutants;

Knowledge of the effects of air pollutants on the environment and public health;

Knowledge of the principals and practices of meteorological modeling;

Knowledge of statistical analysis,

Knowledge of Federal and State laws and regulations governing air quality control;

Skill in using standard meteorological equipment;

Skill in using instruments to measure air pollution;

Skill in using computer hardware and software for meteorological and air quality monitoring, for retrieving, transmitting, analyzing and adapting data and for generating reports;

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

Ability to prepare and present technical reports.

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

Experience: One year of experience conducting air quality research and forecasting and running meteorological models to test, review, verify and evaluate the effectiveness of air quality control strategies.

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Master of Science degree in meteorology or atmospheric physics from an accredited college or university for one year of the required experience.

2. 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.

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.