Director of Wildfire Meteorology & Fire Science

Are you looking for an exciting job where you can put your skills and talents to work at a company you can feel proud to be a part of? Do you want a workplace that will challenge you and offer you opportunities to learn and grow?  A  position at Xcel Energy could be just what you’re looking for.

Position Summary:

Responsible for developing, implementing, and managing the meteorological and wildfire related, forecasting, and climate preparedness and adaptation programs Xcel Energy. Leads the development, implementation, and management of comprehensive strategies to better anticipate, prepare for and respond to extreme weather events. Leads the integration of fire and climate science related data into Xcel Energy’s strategic objectives. Responsible for establishing and leading the implementation of a comprehensive and industry leading climate adaptation strategy.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Directs the development, implementation, and management of comprehensive and innovative meteorologically based forecasting program strategies to achieve a high level of situational awareness. Ensures the highest level of company preparedness as it relates to the ability to anticipate weather and climate related hazards.

• Provides leadership across the Wildfire meteorology department. Provide meteorological insight and forecasting to support wildfire mitigation plans to the department and larger operational teams. Identify and alert management of meteorological events capable of increasing wildfire risks.

• Responsible for establishing and maintaining relationships and partnerships with key internal and external climate related stakeholders. Stay apprised of changing wildfire related news, science and industry standards to ensure Xcel Energy is establishing best practices regarding climate risk assessment and mitigation.

• Oversee the direct support of Xcel Energy operational departments, which include Emergency Management, Electric Transmission Operations, Electric Distribution Operations which requires 24/7 availability and extended operations during emergencies and critical weather events.

• Leverage strong presentation skills to convey complex, climate based subject matter to both internal and external stakeholders. Utilize graphic design tools and software to develop and create custom presentations, templates, and content. Lead the creation of executive presentations that visually communicate a compelling story and assess and evaluate existing presentations and implement and recommend improvements.

• Provides guidance and leadership to Wildfire Meteorology and Fire Science department.

Minimum Requirements:

• BS in Meteorology. MS preferred. Previous experience in wildfire meteorology or fire management. Minimum of 10 years’ experience forecasting weather required.

• Profound understanding of meteorological principles, fire behavior, and their interplay. Experience with meteorological modeling tools, GIS software, remote sensing tools, and data analysis techniques.

• Familiarity with fire behavior models such as Technosylva or similar.

• Experience with one or more of the following programming languages such as VBA, Python, R, SQL, etc. is preferred. Familiarity with weather-related file formats such as grib, shp, netCDF, JSON, etc. is preferred.

• Experience leading and/or managing cross-functional teams, organization, or workgroup

• Excellent written and verbal communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills. Proven track record of working collaboratively across departments.

• Strong communication skills are required to convey technical information to diverse audiences.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Graduate Degree in Meteorology, Fire Science, Atmospheric, Environmental or Geosciences preferred.

• Operational experience in oil and gas, natural gas and/or electric operations business preferred.

• Regulatory knowledge and experience with communications to varied groups, including senior leadership and regulators preferred.

As a leading combination electricity and natural gas energy company, Xcel Energy offers a comprehensive portfolio of energy-related products and services to 3.4 million electricity and 1.9 million natural gas customers across eight Western and Midwestern states. At Xcel Energy, we strive to be the preferred and trusted provider of the energy our customers need. If you’re ready to be a part of something big, we invite you to join our team.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Individuals with a disability who need an accommodation to apply please contact us at recruiting@xcelenergy.com.

Non-Bargaining

The anticipated starting base pay for this position is: $185,000.00 to $230,000.00 per year

This position is eligible for the following benefits: Annual Incentive Program, Long Term Incentive, Medical/Pharmacy Plan, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Dependent Care Reimbursement Account, Health Care Reimbursement Account, Health Savings Account (HSA) (if enrolled in eligible health plan), Limited-Purpose FSA (if enrolled in eligible health plan and HSA), Transportation Reimbursement Account, Short-term disability (STD), Long-term disability (LTD), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Fitness Center Reimbursement (if enrolled in eligible health plan), Tuition reimbursement, Transit programs, Employee recognition program, Pension, 401(k) plan, Paid time off (PTO), Holidays, Volunteer Paid Time Off (VPTO), Parental Leave

Benefit plans are subject to change and Xcel Energy has the right to end, suspend, or amend any of its plans, at any time, in whole or in part.

Deadline to Apply: 01/30/25

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ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT
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