This position serves as a meteorologist within one of the multiple National Airway Systems Engineering (NASE) sub-teams providing advanced meteorological expertise in support of the systems engineering function of one or more NAS systems. Performs multiple, varying and complex assignments under the minimal direction of a manager, project/program manager, team leader, or more experienced technical specialist.
Duties
Provides professional meteorological expertise related to the introduction of new systems into the NAS and problems associated with continued operation of commissioned facilities, to include technical documentation. Develops, tests, and validates new and modified algorithms. Plans and executes parameterization studies of algorithms and optimizes performance. Identifies trends, determines system impact or deficiencies. Develops plans, standards, procedures, quality control techniques, instruction and system modifications and modernization which will improve the reliability, maintainability, safety, and continuity of meteorological service of NAS facilities and equipment.
Applies experience and advanced technical knowledge of meteorology to accomplish assignments and to develop plans and techniques to improve programs and policies. Understands how technical area interacts with or is affected by other disciplines and considers the objectives of the major subdivision and LOB/SO when developing, integrating, and implementing solutions to diverse, complex problems.
Provides national level guidance and technical direction on complex, multi-year projects relating to in-service improvements. Analyzes, designs, and implements system-wide software/firmware modifications. Provides service life extension and failure analysis/support in response to NAS related problems beyond the assigned repair capability of the field. Is responsible for NAS configuration management; quality assurance; development and issuance of associated national technical directives and maintenance guidance. Develops and evaluates the operational readiness and/or supportability of new NAS system components for deployment; and technical support to new system acquisition efforts. Purchases and/or develops detailed, complex acquisition/purchase documentation as required.
Contacts are internal and external. Acts as a key technical point of contact for assigned activities; contributes to the preparation of management/technical reports or contractual documents, and may communicate the overall results of a project or work activity to FAA management, the aviation and aerospace industries, and other external parties. Communicates with aviation weather stakeholders such as the FAA Air Traffic Organization and Safety organizations, the National Weather Service, the Department of Defense, government executive level leadership, and industry representatives. Fosters effective working relationships in the accomplishment of work activities.
Established policies/procedures provide guidance for most assignments, but allow considerable discretion to select the most appropriate approach or to recommend new approaches. Assignments typically require solutions that are to be derived by interpreting and extrapolating from situations that were faced in the past. Provides recommendations to improve work processes.
Provides guidance to lower-level technical staff on how to solve difficult technical issues. Resolves all but unique technical problems without the intervention of management or a more experienced technical specialist. Identifies and informs management of problems that require their attention. Often develops and recommends techniques to address problem situations.
Work is reviewed periodically, typically at major milestones and at completion, for technical compliance and alignment with the requirements of the project or other work activity. Work activities typically support and may be vital to the success of projects or activities of one or more organizational units, subdivisions, and LOBs/SOs.