Deputy State Meteorologist-SES - 31001081

Requisition No: 872561 

Agency: Division of Emergency Management

Working Title: Deputy State Meteorologist-SES - 31001081

 Pay Plan: SES

Position Number: 31001081 

Salary:  $71,440.80 

Posting Closing Date: 04/03/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Deputy State Meteorologist

Bureau of Response

Florida Division of Emergency Management

This position is located in Tallahassee, FL

The Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) plans for and responds to both natural and man-made disasters. These range from floods and hurricanes to incidents involving hazardous materials or nuclear power. FDEM is the liaison between federal, state, and local agencies. FDEM prepares and implements a statewide Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan, routinely conducts extensive exercises to test state and county emergency response capabilities, provides technical assistance to local governments as they prepare emergency plans and procedures, as well as conducts emergency operations trainings for state and local government agencies.

FDEM serves as the lead agency for the State Emergency Response Team (SERT), whose primary goal is the coordination of the state’s efforts during disaster response and recovery. This coordination is conducted within the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) in Tallahassee. Additionally, FDEM manages the State Watch Office; the 24-hour a day operation tasked with providing situational awareness to stakeholders statewide. After a disaster, FDEM conducts damage assessment surveys and advises the Governor of the State of Florida on whether to declare an emergency and seek federal relief funds. It is against this backdrop that FDEM strives to demonstrate its mission of, “Coordinate, collaborate, and communicate with our community stakeholders for a resilient Florida”, along with our vision of “Leading the Profession in building prepared and resilient communities”.

Position Overview and Responsibilities:

This is a highly technical science-based position within the State Meteorological Support Unit within the Operations Section of the Bureau of Response. This position will manage the day-to-day function of the State Meteorological Support Unit which serves as a liaison between National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) agencies, Water Management Districts, the United States Geological Survey (USGS), university researchers and the State Emergency Response Team. This position also serves as a State Watch Office Supervisor, a project manager within Bureau of Response’s Operations Section. The incumbent will ensure the continuous functioning of the State Watch Office as a highly reliable communications center, especially during times of disaster while serving as a lead project manager for programs assigned by Bureau Leadership. Duties for the position include, but are not limited to:

• Perform daily analysis of meteorological data to determine weather-related threats to the State of Florida from various federal, state and private-sector meteorological sources.
• Provide technical expertise with the terminology and principles of meteorology to gather, interpret, and disseminate critical weather-related scientific data and reports in an operational mode to local and state government officials.
• Assist in the development, analysis, and interpretation of natural hazards information sources to allow meteorological and natural hazards information to be used for emergency planning applications, exercises, and training opportunities.
• Contribute to the development of public education and information on natural hazards and weather-related events and assist in public outreach events and publications as needed.
• Independently perform special assignments related to meteorological topics as directed.
• Develop, maintain, and implement policies, procedures, and other documentation (i.e., Standard Operating Procedures, Guides, Job Aids, analytics, etc.) related to the projects and programs assigned.
• Ensure that proper notifications are made to senior staff, State and local response and recovery organizations in compliance with the incident notification procedures.
• Continuously evaluate and improve the infrastructure and quality of services offered by the State Watch Office and implement improvements as necessary.
• Conduct and participate in conferences, meetings, and workshops.
• Serve as a contract manager for weather-related projects and programs, which includes but is not limited to, developing scopes of work, contract management, project documentation organization and retention, and invoice validation.

This position manages and supervises day-to-day operations and staff as required. Incumbent provides general administrative duties including: sets goals and objectives for direct reports; reviews work-related performance; addresses employee performance issues promptly and uses corrective action to resolve performance problems; recommends disciplinary action if necessary and provides recommendations for training and continued education; works with Office of Human Resources to document performance related issues; performs employee Performance Planning and Review within designated time periods in accordance with FDEM procedures; supervises subordinates, reviews and approves time and attendance, leave requests, travel requests/reimbursements, and purchasing card procurement documentation; trains and evaluates employees on job safety awareness, hazardous materials, proper care and use of equipment; periodic review of policies and procedures to reinforce FDEM directives and policies; ensure subordinates receive the required training when appropriate approvals and funding have been acquired; communicate clearly and frequently with staff to ensure mission and tasks are clear, provide prompt and courteous customer service; motivate and inform employees of new techniques, policy changes through staff meetings, discussions and written communication, and encourage staff to attend seminars and training so they are cognizant of current trends pertaining to the mission of the program.

In response to emergency events, FDEM employees may be required to work irregular hours, to work more than eight hours per day, to work extended periods (including weekends and holidays), to work at locations other than their official headquarters, and to perform duties in addition to those outlined in the employee’s position description.  Employees must be able to deploy to emergency sites with limited advance notice.

Pursuant to F.S. 215.422 every officer or employee who is responsible for the approval or processing of vendors’ invoices or distribution of warrants to vendors is mandated to process, resolve, and comply as section 215.422 requires.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the terminology and principles of meteorology.
• Skill at meteorological data analysis from National Weather Service organizations.
• Knowledge of weather-related threats that affect Florida and the ability to analyze meteorological data to determine hazardous weather threats daily.
• Ability to research, prepare, and present reports, briefings, and technical programmatic information regarding meteorological data and forecasts to government officials.
• Ability to prepare weather-related training and awareness materials.
• Knowledge of policies and practices involved in the management of assigned personnel and demonstrated ability to supervise, motivate, develop, and direct people.
• Knowledge and demonstrated ability to compile and implement operational procedures.
• Knowledge of computer-based report preparation and strategic planning to develop complex documents in support of program objectives.
• Ability to work in an operational mode to provide response coordination to state and local government entities, including working non-traditional hours, serving in an on-call like capacity on a rotating basis that includes weekends and holidays.
• Ability to plan, coordinate, execute, and monitor multiple concurrent complex projects to ensure delivery of desired programmatic outcomes within desired timeframe.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or master’s degree in Meteorology, Atmospheric Science, or related field.
• A minimum of two years’ operational meteorological experience providing decision-support services to stakeholders.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Valid Florida Certified Contract Manager (FCCM) certification or ability to obtain within first 12 months of employment.
• Experience using Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook), and the ability to learn and navigate FDEM enterprise business systems.

Special Notes: 

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

FDEM is committed to successfully recruiting and onboarding talented and skilled individuals into its workforce. FDEM appreciates the service and sacrifices made by veterans and their family members and recognizes the immeasurable value veterans bring to the workplace and is committed to increasing the number of veterans that serve in its workforce.

FDEM is committed to increasing recruitment and hiring of individuals with disabilities and improving employment outcomes. An individual with a disability is qualified if he or she satisfies the skills, experience, and other job-related requirements for a position and can perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation. Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must contact the FDEM Human Resources Office at (850) 815-4177. FDEM requests applicants notify the Human Resources Office in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

Successful completion of background screening will be required for this position.

The State of Florida and FDEM participate in E-Verify. This federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

In response to emergency events, FDEM employees may be required to work irregular hours, to work more than 8 hours per day, to work extended periods (including nights, weekends, and holidays), to work at locations other than their official headquarters, and to perform duties in addition to those outlined in the employee’s position description. Employees must be able to deploy to emergency sites with limited advance notice.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.