Meteorologist, Wildfire & Ops Specialist

About the role

AltaLink, which delivers electricity to millions of Albertans through its transmission lines, is hiring a Meteorologist, Wildfire & Operational Weather Specialist in Calgary. The role provides meteorological forecasting, weather intelligence and operational decision support for the Wildfire Mitigation Program, Field Operations and the 24/7 Control Centre. It covers wildfire weather forecasting and risk interpretation during wildfire season, and year-round weather hazard awareness for field crews, system operations, emergency preparedness and continuity of service. The incumbent also owns AltaLink's weather tools, forecasting processes, decision-support models, weather station network and situational awareness systems, including wildfire detection cameras.

Key responsibilities

• Provide daily and event-based weather forecasting and operational guidance for wildfire mitigation, field operations and the Control Centre, covering wind, lightning, precipitation, temperature, humidity, drought, storms and other hazards.
• Interpret fire weather conditions and communicate their operational implications, and provide year-round support for severe storms, high winds, extreme cold, freezing rain and heavy snow.
• Assess fire weather indices, forecast confidence, changing patterns and escalation triggers, and support real-time decisions during elevated wildfire risk and severe weather.
• Own and lead AltaLink's weather intelligence tools, models, dashboards, reports and decision-support products, and develop, document and automate weather-related workflows and alerts.
• Oversee the weather station network (performance, data quality, maintenance, troubleshooting, lifecycle planning) and support wildfire detection camera systems.
• Integrate weather station data, public weather data and camera information into operational guidance, and work with external agencies, municipalities and wildfire stakeholders on data sharing and coordinated response.
• Contribute to wildfire mitigation planning, operational procedures, emergency response planning and after-action reviews.

Required profile

• Degree or diploma in Meteorology, Atmospheric Science, Environmental Science or a related discipline.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in operational meteorology, applied or severe weather forecasting, utility meteorology, emergency management weather support or related fields; equivalent education and experience considered.
• Experience in wildfire weather forecasting, wildfire risk management, fire behaviour analysis or Fire Behaviour Analyst work is an asset.
• Experience developing weather models, dashboards, scripts, GIS products, data workflows or decision-support tools is an asset.
• Experience managing weather stations, environmental monitoring equipment, remote sensors, cameras or telecommunications is an asset.
• Knowledge of electrical utility operations, ICS, operational wildfire response or 24/7 essential service operations is an asset.

Required skills

• Meteorological analysis and forecasting tools, weather models, observational networks, radar and satellite products.
• Proficiency with GIS or spatial analysis tools.
• Ability to explain forecast confidence, uncertainty and operational implications to technical and non-technical audiences.