South African Weather Service (SAWS) Jobs

To apply, click on the link at the end of the posts and all the best with your applications

Senior Forecaster

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) is a Section 3(a) public entity under the Ministry of
Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF) and is governed by a Board. The organisation is an
authoritative voice for weather and climate related services in South Africa and is a member of the
World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) to fulfil a range of international obligations of the
government. South African Weather Service (SAWS) strives to be a Weather and Climate Centre of
Excellence providing innovative solutions to ensure a weather-smart region, sustainable development
and economic growth.

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) is therefore seeking to appoint an efficient and enthusiastic
person to undertake the role of:

Senior Forecaster
Paterson Grade: D1
Total Cost to Company Salary total package: R541 726 – R764 406
(Ref.WS05/052026)
Centre: Durban

Job Summary:

• The Senior Forecaster is a shift-worker primarily responsible for forecasting and monitoring of
  weather, producing of weather forecasting products as well as severe weather warnings.
• S/He is also required to provide a supervisory and technical oversight of weather forecasting
  activities performed in the office and in regional forecasting offices.

Key Performance Areas:
Forecasting and Warning Services:

• Supervise, generate and quality control public and marine weather forecasts according to
  pre-determined time scales. These include commercial products and services.
• Communicate public weather forecasts and severe weather warnings in different media
  platforms.

Internal and External Customer Relations:

• Liaise with clients as per office plan.
• Represent SAWS at Stakeholder meetings and other forums.
• Promote the awareness of SAWS products and services to all stakeholders

Administration:

• Perform routine office administration practices including periodic reporting, leave
  processing, administration of registers, transport administration, etc.
• Assist in the control of acquired stock levels required for operational activities.
• Assist in the effective use of assets and key infrastructure.
• Perform supervisory duties.

Training, Development and Knowledge Management:

• Assist in all training activities related to weather forecasting within the office.
• Provide mentorship and training to junior personnel.
• Conduct case-studies and other research to enhance the accuracy and quality of the products
  and services offered.

Total Quality Management:

• Develop and review meteorological processes and procedures.
• Promote the SAWS Quality Policy and intergrade it into the day-to-day activities of the office.
• Help during audits of the office as required.
• Perform regular inspections to ensure all work done is according to documented
  requirements.
• Ensure that the work environment complies with legislative requirements in relation to
  Occupational Health and Safety.
• Promote a quality culture amongst the staff within the office.

Required Minimum Education / Training

• BSc Honours Degree in Meteorology or equivalent
• Postgraduate Certificate Weather Forecasting

Required Knowledge and Work Experience

• 5 years Weather Forecasting experience.
• Ability to analyse and interpret weather charts, surface observations, upper air observations,
  weather codes, weather satellite and radar imageries.
• Ability to analyse Numerical Weather Prediction and Ensemble Prediction System products to
  produce weather forecasts and warnings.
• Comprehensive understanding of Impact-based forecasting.
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal).
• Ability to work well under pressure.
• Clear understanding of SAWS policies
• Basic understanding of Public Finance and Management Act
• Willingness to work shifts, weekends, and public holidays.
• Excellent corporate communications skills (written and verbal)
• Computer Skills (Ms Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Be able to respond well to pressure.
• Have own reliable transport.
• A valid Code EB or Code 08 driver’s license (without endorsements).

Click here to apply

Senior Forecaster: Marine

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) is a Section 3(a) public entity under the Ministry of
Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF) and is governed by a Board. The organisation is an
authoritative voice for weather and climate related services in South Africa and is a member of the
World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) to fulfil a range of international obligations of the
government. South African Weather Service (SAWS) strives to be a Weather and Climate Centre of
Excellence providing innovative solutions to ensure a weather-smart region, sustainable development
and economic growth.

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) is therefore seeking to appoint an efficient and enthusiastic
person to undertake the role of:

Senior Forecaster: Marine
Paterson Grade: D1
Salary: R541 726 – R764 406
Centre: Cape Town
(Ref: WS07/052026)

Job summary
South Africa has one of the world’s longest coastlines, with a vast number of people residing near the
ocean. Our oceans support our economy and form an important part of the culture and heritage of
millions of South Africans. The South African Weather Service seeks a Senior Marine Forecaster to join
its team based in Cape Town. In addition to the normal range of competencies and experience required
of a professional weather forecaster, this candidate should be passionate about championing Marine
forecasting at SAWS, with a view to enhancing safety and efficiency along our coast and in our oceans.
The Senior Marine Forecaster is responsible for the generation, dissemination and general oversight
of Marine weather forecasts and warnings of various kinds in METAREA VII. He/she would be expected
to enhance institutional understanding of marine stakeholders to maximise the effectiveness of
forecast information. Complementary responsibilities include those of Met-Area Coordinator and
assisting the Regional Training Centre to implement training and assessment in line with World
Meteorological Organisation (WMO) requirements.

Key Performance Areas
Forecasting and Warning Services

• Generate, manage, quality-control and disseminate marine weather forecasts and severe
  weather warnings according to pre-determined schedules, for both public-good and
  commercial purposes.
• Provide guidance marine forecasts to coastal regional offices.
• Participate in daily forecasting discussions.
• Ensure that all marine forecasts and severe weather warnings are disseminated via
  authorized communication channels to user groups.
• Communicate and explain marine weather forecasts and severe weather warnings as
  required, using authorized SAWS communication platforms.
• Collaborate with Marine Research Unit to monitor, improve and fully leverage marine
  observation and forecasting systems.

Customer Relations

• Willingness to develop robust understanding of marine stakeholders; their operations,
  sensitivities and requirements; in order to assist in delivering fit-for-purpose services.
• Liaise with public and commercial clients and ensure that customer communication is carried
  out effectively.
• Represent SAWS at stakeholder meetings.
• Promote the awareness of marine SAWS products and services to relevant stakeholders.

General Administration

• Monitor marine forecasting targets according to the organizational Annual Performance Plan
  to ensure they are met.
• Perform routine office administration including periodic reporting leave processing and
  attendance register administration.

Training, Development and Knowledge Management

• Assist in all training activities related to marine weather forecasting within the Marine Centre
  office and coastal regional offices.
• Assist in the implementation of marine competency assessments as per WMO requirements.
• Provide mentorship and training to junior personnel.
• Conduct case studies and marine related research to enhance the accuracy and quality of the
  products and services offered.

Total Quality Management

• Apply prevention and corrective action procedures on all findings related to the office.
• Promote a culture of attention to detail and high-quality work amongst the staff.
• Promote and integrate the SAWS Quality Policy into the office’s day-to-day activities.
• Assist with office audits as required.
• Perform regular inspections to ensure all work done is according to documented
  requirements.
• Ensure that the work environment complies with legislative requirements in relation to
  Occupational Health and Safety.

Minimum Requirements
Education and Experience

• BSc Meteorology with Honours or equivalent qualification that meets the Basic Instruction
  Package for Meteorologists (BIP-M).
• Postgraduate certificate in weather forecasting for candidates that have graduated from
  2011.
• 5 years of operational weather forecasting experience.

Technical Competencies

• Ability to analyse, interpret and communicate observed data products such as weather
  charts, surface observations, upper air observations, satellite and radar imagery and
  visualisations of relevant measured data.
• Ability to analyse, interpret and communicate modelled data products from Numerical
  Weather Prediction (NWP) systems.
• Comprehensive understanding of Impact-Based Forecasting (IBF) and willingness to assist in
  continuous review and improvement of Marine IBF, based on user feedback.
• Robust understanding of SAWS marine observation and modelling capabilities
  (forecast/hindcast) and the SAWS Marine Portal.
• Robust understanding of supporting operational NWP activities at SAWS.
• Familiarity with relevant marine observation and modelling information among broader
  earth science community.
• Understanding of social and physical factors affecting vulnerabilities to marine weather at
  local and regional scales (e.g., demographics, socio-economic activity, geography).

Behavioural Competencies

• Critical thinking
• Conflict management
• Emotional intelligence
• Public speaking
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal).
• Ability to work well under pressure.
• A valid Code EB or Code 08 driver’s license (without endorsements).

Click here to apply

We wish you all the best with your applications