​ABOLISHED 04/19/2017 PER PAY LETTER 17-19 - Meteorologist Series

California State Personnel Board Specification

Series established July 11, 1958

Scope

This series specification describes two Meteorologist classes used primarily in air quality control, fire suppression and water and public works projects.

Definition of Series

Meterologists are concerned with assisting in planning and coordinating weather modification studies; interpreting United State Weather Bureau forecasts in terms of the special requirements of the department involved; assisting departmental personnel in the making of climatological studies by developing isohyetal maps; recommending to management theoretical and experimental research of value in relating meteorological phenomena; preparing technical reports and correspondence. More specifically, depending on the department in which employed, the Meterologist will be assisting in various meteorological studies relating to either air pollution control and air pollution investigation; fire suppression; or the California water plan and designing and operating water resources projects. Such duties include: preparing and issuing daily notices to control agricultural burning according to existing State regulations; assisting in developing new or modified guideline criteria for regulating agri-burning; preparing or issuing advisories to aid in the planning of agri-burning operations; interpreting National Weather Service general weather products in terms of specific air pollution control applications; adapting pertinent meteorological studies by others so as to meet specific needs of the State's air pollution control program; participating in the conduct of enforcement surveillance projects requiring meteorological and air monitoring measurements; assisting in preparing applied metere​ology training lectures for the engineering staff; preparing specifications for the purchase of meteorological hardware; preparing meteorological data to define the detailed climatology of California's Air Basins; participating in field studies pertaining to the location of freeways in various parts of California; organizing and maintaining a climatological library to describe the air pollution climatrography of California; analyzing historical meteorological conditions existent during storms or record; advising engineers regarding meteorological conditions affecting project design or fire suppression; preparing quantitative precipitation forecasts and assisting in evaluating the effect of storms on construction projects; assisting in forecasting time distribution of snow runoff and in developing operating criteria for State Water Projects.

Entry Level

Entry into these classes can be at either the Assistant or Associate level.

Factors Affecting Position Allocation

Level of difficulty, variety, and complexity of assigned duties, independence of action and decision-making, and degree of supervision received.

Definition of Levels

Assistant Meteorologist

Under close supervision, handles the more routine daily functions; provides assistance to higher level Meteorologists.

Associate Meteorologist

Under general supervision, the Associate is expected to handle the most complex and difficult assignments, to provide assistance to Senior level Meteorologists, and to act as leadperson to the Assistant Meteorologist.

Minimum Qualifications

Assistant Meteorologist

Experience: Two years of experience in professional meteorological work including surface and upper air analyses. (A Master's Degree in Meteorology or Hydrology may be substituted for one year of the required experience.) and

Education: Equivalent to graduation from college with major work in mathematics or the physical sciences and including at least 20 units of classroom and laboratory work in synoptic and dynamic meteorology. (Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.)

Associate Meteorologist

Either I

One year of experience performing the duties of an Assistant Meteorologist in California state service.

Or II

Experience: Three years of experience in professional meteorological work including surface and air analyses. (A Master's Degree in Meteorology or Hydrology may be substituted for one year of the required experience.) and

Education: Equivalent to graduation from college with major work in mathematics or the physical sciences and including at least 20 units of classroom and laboratory work in synoptic and dynamic meteorology. (Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.)

Knowledge and Abilities

Both Levels:

Knowledge of: Fundamental principles of physics, mathematics, and statistics; general meteorology including surface and upper air analyses, precipitation forecasting principles and techniques and their application to the fields of hydrology and air pollution; standard meteorological equipment and the methods of applying them to meteorological studies; air pollution instruments, meterological engineering, effective stack heights; an atmospheric tracer technology.

Ability to: Apply meteorological methods and procedures to climatological engineering and statistical studies; make technical investigations of related meteorological and hydrological problems; write effectively; analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action; interpret and apply laws, rules, and regulations pertaining to California air pollution; conduct applied research and special studies on and make recommendations for the control or elimination of air pollution sources.

Associate Meteorologist

Ability to: All of the above, and to plan and conduct technical investigations of related meteorological and hydrological problems and direct the work of others in such studies; speak effectively and prepare and analyze meteorological maps and reports.

Class History