Chief Meteorologist

Job Description :

Come join our Innovative Weather Team as the next Chief Meteorologist at the University of Florida

Shaping the Future of Atmospheric Science!

The University of Florida is one of the most innovative universities in the nation, currently ranked #6 among U.S. public research universities by U.

S. News and World Report. It’s College of Journalism and Communications Division of Media Properties is at the forefront of driving innovation delivering Broadcast and Weather services via seven broadcast stations.

This unique organization is strategically essential to the Public Emergency Networks of the State of Florida and the State of South Carolina delivering weather and public safety content produced and delivered via competitive broadcast and multimedia entities.

About The Opportunity

The - Division of Media Properties WUFT-TV / FM, home of the , seeks an innovative, experienced, and driven Chief Meteorologist and Director of FPREN.

This opportunity is a high-profile role serving as the Lead On-Air Scientist and Talent of the Weather Room for WUFT- TV and its affiliates in the local viewing and listening areas, the State of Florida, and the State of South Carolina.

The position reports directly to the and must be comfortable in public facing settings representing the College of Journalism and Communications and the University of Florida.

Key Functions and Responsibilities Include but are not limited to :

Chief Meteorologist

• Leadership and oversight of the WRUF-TV local broadcast and cable channel, including Training, Mentoring, and Coaching a dynamic team of Meteorologist, Content Producers, Weather Room Staff of all experience levels.
• Managing WUFT clients and coordinating WUFT services for public safety and emergency alerting related to hurricanes, tropical storms, and other significant weather events throughout Florida, South Carolina ETV, South Carolina Public Radio, and local / national government agencies are a key function of the role.
• Overseeing the compilation of daily Broadcast Meteorology and Weather Services products for distribution on television, radio, and internet / web-new media applications.
• Leading the development of content from the CJC including the Division of Media Properties.
• Providing visionary direction, fostering teamwork, and motivating the team to achieve excellence in weather reporting and public safety communication.
• Collaborating with various stakeholders in CJC to ensure the channel can be positioned as an effective local weather, news, and sports content channel.
• Directing, guiding, and supporting the MIT program (group of undergraduate and / or graduate students interested in weather forecasting for media) and volunteers involved with the weather content area of the Division of Multimedia Properties operation.

Director Of FPREN

• Managing daily operations of the and including budgetary review.
• Overseeing and leading the University of Florida’s media properties and affiliated stations within FPREN and SCEIN.
• Orchestrating and providing guidance to FPREN strategic direction on a statewide basis from a content-creation standpoint and coordinating with stations across Florida to ensure FPREN is positioned appropriately and performing to the mission of emergency messaging via Florida’s public media.
• Establishing routine contact with Florida Public Media (FPM) and personnel and leadership to ensure severe weather and other FPREN or SCEIN content is being deployed appropriately on local market stations including on air, web, and social media based weather-related products and associated platforms.
• Leading and overseeing one or more full-time meteorologists who are also part of the media properties / FPREN organizational structure.
• Developing and nurturing partnerships with public media outlets, broadcast stations, and other partners.
• Fostering and maintaining crucial strategic relationships with governmental weather and public safety entities on local, state, and national levels.

Ensuring effective collaboration with these entities is essential for accurate and timely emergency alerting and to the success of this role.

Normal Work Schedule (Essential Personnel)

• The Executive Director can and will modify changes to the schedule depending on need. The typical schedule is Monday through Friday from 9 am-6 pm but may change depending on weather conditions and if the schedule of needed weather content updates for all platforms dictates forecast information.
• During severe weather, a change in the work schedule may become necessary to ensure proper coverage is provided through the Division of Multimedia Properties media entities for FPREN media outlets and platforms.
• Weekday, weeknight, or weekend shift work to ensure the proper content is being developed and delivered to all relevant stations.
• during Weather Emergencies.

Expected Salary : $,-$,

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Minimum Requirements :

Bachelor's degree in an appropriate area and four years of relevant experience.

Preferred Qualifications :

• Degree in atmospheric science, meteorology, geography, or communications with some coursework in meteorology.
• A minimum of four years as a broadcast meteorologist and weathercaster with experience providing weather forecasts and severe weather updates for radio and the web.
• Experience / training should include a background in the latest weather graphics / display units from Weather Central, WSI and / or Accu-Weather, live Doppler radar / storm display units, and forecasting / tracking of severe weather.
• Experience providing guidance and leading substantial projects and staff preferred.
• Experience working with governmental agencies, especially NOAA, NWS and the NHC beneficial.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish helpful
• Knowledge of and even ability to code and lead web-based initiatives related to FPREN and other public-facing initiatives.
30+ days ago