About the job

Job summary

We’re looking for an exceptional Surface Network Analyst to help us make a difference to our planet by analysing and monitoring our weather observations data.

Job description

You will work a hybrid pattern of home, office and field-based working. This post is based in Exeter but we may be able to support candidates wishing to be based from our Watnall office with the occasional requirement to travel to Exeter HQ to support the wider Land Networks team and processes. There is an expectation that you will be in office around 1 day a week but you can choose to work more frequently in our office if you'd prefer. Our opportunity is full time, 37 hours per week.

Why join us?

The Met Office is accredited as a 'Great Place to Work UK 2023' and in addition has achieved a place on both the UK's 'Best Workplaces in Tech' and 'Best Workplaces for Women' lists.

We invest in our people to unlock their full potential. As our Surface Network Analyst , we will support you to develop and thrive to be the best you can be.  We champion positive physical and mental health in the workplace and are committed to being an inclusive organisation, providing a working culture that actively values an equal and diverse workforce. 

Who we are

We provide critical weather services and world-leading climate science to deliver extraordinary impact and benefit across the globe. Our work helps people make better decisions to stay safe and thrive.

Together:

• We’re a force for good- focusing on our environmental and social impact
• We’re experts by nature- always learning and developing to do things better
• We live and breathe it- putting our purpose at the heart of decision-making
• We’re better together- understanding partnerships and inclusivity make us greater
• We keep evolving- pushing boundaries to make tomorrow better for our customers

Find out more about our values - https://bit.ly/3fokaRD

Job Purpose

Weather observations are fundamental to almost all the services that the Met Office provides – as direct data and products; for initialising NWP and other models; for verification of forecasts; as the basis for many weather / climate related consultancy services; and for providing evidence of climate change.

Our Surface Networks Team are responsible for the operational delivery of surface-based observational networks in the UK and overseas to both internal and external customers. Working in our team, you will analyse our incoming weather data to identify any errors and work towards a resolution to maintain the integrity of our observations.

As our Surface Network Analyst , your key responsibilities are:

• Monitor the performance of observing systems, instigating corrective action where required to ensure services are maintained.
• Investigate data issues and analyse impacts on networks and work with Network Specialists to respond appropriately.
• Provide advice and information to users of the data on the status of the networks and the details of the observing systems.
• Assist with the procurement of hardware, consumables and services required for the routine operation of observing systems.
• Generate statistics and maintain spreadsheets/databases to provide up to date information on the status of the observations network and individual observing systems.
• Develop technical knowledge of observing systems in conjunction with the Network Specialists so can act as a deputy and coordinate planned changes and incidents in their absence.
• Coordinate and contribute to the updating of documentation of observing processes and practices.

Person specification

Essential Qualifications, Skills & Abilities

1. Expert by nature - degree level qualification or equivalent in a science or computing related subject or able to demonstrate relevant experience.
2. Ability to analyse a problem and identify root cause.
3. Better together - evidence of working as part of a multi-skilled team to deliver multiple customer requirements to varying timescales and deadlines.
4. Ability to prioritise work from a range of customers and deal with critical situations in a structured manner.
5. Ability to communicate technical information clearly and concisely to a range of customers who have varying levels of technical understanding.
6. Knowledge of observing instruments/networks/systems.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £25,870, Met Office contributes £6,985 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

If you share our values, we’d love to hear from you. Apply below using your CV and a Cover Letter/Supporting Statement which evidences how you meet each of the essential criteria - we recommend candidates use the CARL (Context, Action, Result and Learning) method for presenting evidence of skills.

Closing date 01/01/2024 at 23:59 with interviews commencing from 15/01/2024. You will hear from us once the closing date has passed.

If successful, please note we are unable to offer expenses for travel to your normal place of work. Please ask at interview if you would like extra clarity on how often this requirement is likely to be.

How we can help:

If you are considering applying and need support to do so, please contact us via askHR@metoffice.gov.uk. You can request adjustments either within your application or by contacting us. Should you be offered an interview, please be aware there may be a selection exercise which could include a presentation, written test or a scenario-based activity. You can select in your application to be considered under the Disability Confident Scheme. To be invited to interview/assessment under this scheme, your application must meet the essential criteria for the role.

We understand that great minds don’t always think alike and as an equal opportunities employer we welcome applications from those with all protected characteristics. We recruit on merit, fairness, and open competition in line with the Civil Service Code.

We can only accept applications from those eligible to live and work in the UK - please refer to GOV.UK for information. We require Security clearance, for which you need to have resided in the UK for at least 3 of the last 5 years to be eligible. You will need to achieve full security clearance within your first 6 months with us

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.