Background information

The Met Office supplies Broadcast Meteorologists to the BBC Weather Centre based in West London, to meet the needs of international and domestic television and on-line services. Over the last few years, the BBC Weather centre has expanded to meet the needs of domestic and international television as well as Ceefax and online services.  We are anticipating vacancies over the next year for those who wish to develop a career within the broadcasting environment.

Purpose of the job

As the public face of the Met Office, you will make broadcasts on TV, radio and websites.  BM’s work primarily at the BBC Weather Centre located within Television centre in West London and occasionally at BBC centres throughout the UK for regional cover. The post involves working a shift-roster pattern, with shifts operating 24 hours a day, every day of the year. The length of individual shifts vary, but on average last for 10 hours per day.

Principal accountabilities

• You will provide weather broadcasts on a range of BBC platforms including television, radio and web sites. In addition to this, you may also take on the management of staff.
• Domestic broadcasting duties include providing weather forecasts for BBC1, BBC2, BBC News 24, Interactive, Radio4, Radio 5 Live, Radio 2 , Radio 1 and Heathrow Express.
• International broadcasting duties include providing weather forecasts for  BBC World and BFBS (British Forces Broadcast Service).
• Regional broadcasting duties include providing weather forecasts for BBC regional centre as required.

Qualifications, skills and abilities required

 

Essential

• Forecaster Foundation Training Programme or equivalent or NVQ Level 4 in Meteorological Forecasting.
• A sound academic background, preferably at degree level in mathematics, physics or another applicable science subject, with minimum qualifications of A level Physics and Maths at Grade C or above, or demonstrable equivalent experience.
• The ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines.
• Evidence of the ability to work in a team. You will work both closely with the customer, on their premises and also with colleagues in a demanding shift-working environment.
• Excellent communications and presentational skills (these can be demonstrated by previous experience in acting, public speaking or briefing others).
• You must be able to demonstrate confidence, have an outgoing personality and be presentable.
• Demonstrable on-screen presence, which will be assessed by a screen test which will form part of the interview process.Willingness and ability to work rostered shifts.

Desirable

• Some experience of acting, public speaking or briefing others will be an advantage.
  

Commitment to diversity

The Met Office values diversity and recruits on merit.

Minimum time in post

Once appointed into post, job holders are expected to remain in that post for a minimum of two years before being given the opportunity to apply for other relevant internal roles that may become available within the Met Office.

Guaranteed Interview Scheme for disabled applicants

To widen the pool of candidates on which to draw, we guarantee an interview to any disabled applicant who meets the published minimum criteria for the post/entry level.

To qualify for a guaranteed interview, you do not have to be registered as a disabled person but you must have a disability or long-term health condition that puts you at a substantial disadvantage in either obtaining or keeping employment. The disability must be likely to last for at least 12 months.

To apply for a guaranteed interview, please complete the appropriate section of the application form. When appropriate, you should provide details of any particular arrangements you will require for the interview, e.g. car parking, speech facilitator.

Any false declaration of disability to obtain an interview may invalidate any resultant contract of employment.

Civil Service Recruitment Code

The Met Office's recruitment processes are underpinned by the principle of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commissioners' Recruitment Code. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Code and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact HREnquiries@metoffice.gov.uk or telephone 01392 885000 in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Met Office, you can contact the Office of the Civil Service Commissioners.

Benefits and facilities

• As an employee of the Met Office you will be eligible to join the Nuvos Civil Service Pension Scheme with a low employee contribution. This is a defined benefit scheme which the Met Office, as an employer, contributes to. You also have the option to join a partnership scheme where the employer can contribute and the employee can contribute if you wish. For more details please see the Civil Service Pensions website.
• Annual Leave allowance of 25 days (JL1, 30 days) (plus 8 days public holiday and 2½ privilege days taken at fixed times during the year).
• Training opportunities.
• Performance-related pay.
• The Met Office sports and social club.
• The potential to work in different areas within the same organisation.

Starting salaries

The pay range is stated at the top of the job description. Entry to the Met Office is normally at the pay band minimum with minimal scope for negotiation. Where a range is advertised, only exceptional candidates with proven experience and skills will be appointed above the minimum of this range. Packages and ranges offered above the pay band minimum may consist partly or wholly of elements of non-consolidated (non-pensionable) pay.

Relocation

Unless stated in the job advert and job description, financial support is not available for candidates to move to the job location.

Payment of interview expenses

Candidates invited for interview will only be paid expenses if stated in the invite to interview letter.

Mobility

Normally, staff appointed at Job Level 4 and above automatically have a mobility clause in their employment contract, which means they may be required to serve at other UK mainland locations. Some Job Level 5 staff may also have a mobility commitment, depending upon the job.

Nationality

In common with all United Kingdom (UK) Civil Service departments and Executive Agencies, applicants for employment in the Met Office are required to satisfy certain nationality requirements. For full guidance see the Border & Immigration Agency's 'Working in the UK' website, where you will find information about working in the UK.

Again, in common with all UK Civil Service departments and Executive Agencies, some posts in the Met Office are 'reserved' for UK nationals only. Applicants who are not UK nationals should be aware that further career prospects might be affected.

Application forms and further information

Download application form (PDF, 653 kb)

Guidance notes and information for applicants (PDF, 58 kb)

Download equal opportunities form (PDF, 922 kb - to be returned along with the application form)

If you require a Word version of the application form, please email HREnquiries@metoffice.gov.uk including the words 'application request' in the subject line. An automatic email will be returned to you immediately. If you have not received an email within 48 hours then please contact us.

Alternatively, you can call or write to:

HR Customer Services
Met Office
FitzRoy Road
Exeter
EX1 3PB

Tel: 01392 885000

Please mark your request or returned application form: Broadcast Meteorologist 001534P

Thank you for your interest if you apply for this position. However, due to the high numbers that apply for positions in the Met Office we are unable to reply to each applicant individually. Therefore, if you have had no response from us within four weeks of the closing date you may assume you have been unsuccessful.