Graduate Meteorologist

Graduate Meteorologist

Read a transcript of the video.

Application Opening and Closing Dates

Applications for 2014 intake are expected to open on March 28 until April 25 2013.

The role:

Being a meteorologist is about understanding the atmosphere and its effects on the Earth's surface, oceans and life in general. This includes analysing the state of the atmosphere and oceans, and providing forecasts, warnings, information and advice on weather and climate.

As a Graduate Meteorologist, you'll start out as a weather forecaster, and be based in either our National Meteorological & Oceanographic Centre in Melbourne, our Regional Offices in capital cities, or in smaller offices, like Cairns and Canberra.

As you learn more about this fascinating field of scientific endeavour, you may choose to specialise in areas, like:

• Severe Weather
• Thunderstorms
• Tropical Meteorology
• Services to the Defence Forces
• Meteorological and Oceanographic Analysis
• Services to the Aviation Industry, or
• Climatology.

You need:

• a genuine interest in a career in meteorology
• an undergraduate or postgraduate degree, with a major in a physical science or mathematics, and enough mathematics and physics to be a basis for the study of physical and dynamic meteorology, i.e. completion of study in both these subjects to second year university level.
• to be a great communicator, listener and problem solver who can analyse technical data
• flexibility, confidence, independence and a team ethic.
• the willingness to work shifts
• to enjoy working in a complex and changing technological environment, which includes new technology, competing priorities and deadlines
• the willingness to accept postings to different geographic locations
• to be an Australian citizen, or permanent resident who is applying for citizenship.

Our Training

If your application is successful, you can look forward to participating in a comprehensive training program.

Our meteorology training course is highly regarded and involves a 10-month training course at the Bureau of Meteorology Training Centre in Melbourne, starting in late January.

The course is equivalent to one academic year and is of a similar standard to the honours year of a Bachelor degree. The course has a strong emphasis on practical meteorology and covers:

• synoptic, dynamic and physical meteorology
• climatology
• oceanography
• satellite and radar data interpretation
• numerical weather prediction, and
• the use of modern technology.

At the end of your training in November, you will be awarded the nationally accredited Graduate Diploma in Meteorology.

Postings

Once you have successfully completed the course, you will be transferred to one of our Regional Offices located in capital cities and some regional centres across Australia to work as a forecaster. Usually in September we confirm your posting location.

Salary and Benefits

The starting salary is $53,372 whilst training. When you've successfully completed the 10-month course, you will advance to a Professional Officer Class 1 Classification or "PO1" and can look forward to a salary range of $56,574 to $75,139 per annum.

You can also earn excellent shift work penalties. Weather Forecasters working 24/7 shifts earn penalty payments which add approximately 30% to the base salary.

In addition, we offer a generous employer-contributed superannuation scheme of 15.4%, as well as competitive leave entitlements.

Promotion and Professional Development

Due to our size, diversity and extensive network of offices across Australia, there are excellent opportunities for promotion and to build a successful and rewarding career. Promotion decisions are based on merit and you can apply for promotional opportunities as they arise.

We also offer a variety of short and longer term temporary assignments in a variety of fantastic locations across Australia, the Antarctic and overseas. Our temporary assignments are professional development opportunities which allow you to expand your professional experience and broaden your specialist skills and knowledge.

Relocation Assistance

To support you, the Bureau offers relocation assistance if you are required to move to Melbourne to undertake our training and/or transfer to a posting location. We help with most costs related to travel, removal of furniture and temporary accommodation.

2014 Graduate Meteorology Commencement date

Successful applicants will need to be available to commence the Graduate Meteorology program in Melbourne in early January 2014.

How to Apply

Applications are to be lodged online through our eRecruit system by the closing date.

Prior to lodging your application we recommend you:

• Read the position information, selection criteria and social justice information contained on this website
• Have a current resume detailing relevant employment, skills and qualifications
• Prepare a statement specifically addressing the Selection Criteria for the position
• Scan copies of your official academic transcripts for uploading in eRecruit

When Applying online:

• Please respond to all the online questions, complete your responses to the selection criteria and upload a copy of your resume and academic transcripts.
• Regularly click save during the online application process. If there is no activity for a set period of time the online application process may time out and some ISP’s will automatically disconnect you if there is no communication from your computer for a period of time.
• Prepare your answers to the selection criteria in a word document then copy and paste your responses into the eRecruit system.
• Your resume should be in a Word or PDF format.
• Your academic transcripts should be in PDF or Jpeg format

Further Information on how to apply online through our eRecruit system please refer to How to Apply on this website.

Got questions?

If you need more information about our Graduate Meteorology opportunities, please contact our Recruitment Unit on (03) 9669 4401 or email graduatemets@bom.gov.au

Additional Information

Download a Graduate Meteorologist - Information Brochure PDF 150KB
Download Graduate Meteorologist Selection Criteria pdf 91KB
Bureau Social Justice Strategy