Job Description

Job Introduction

We're looking for

Senior Operational Meteorologists

to help us make a difference to our planet.


As our Senior Operational Meteorologist, the job may be suitable for hybrid working, which is where an employee works part of the week in the office and part of the week from home. This is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement and the location advertised will be your contractual place of work.

These posts are based in Exeter HQ only.

However there may be opportunity to be based in some other UK Met Office sites in the future, depending on availability and suitability for the post. Our opportunities are full time, 37 hours per week, but we would also consider applicants wishing to work a minimum of 20 hours per week and we'll also try our best to consider those intending to work a job share. Our people are at the heart of what we do and we'll do our best to agree a working pattern that works for everyone.

World changing work

From science to technology, from meteorology to management, and from planning to communication, our expertise helps us stand out as the authority on weather accuracy and climate prediction. We help individuals, industries and government to make better decisions to stay safe and thrive. This is the Met Office. This is who we are.

We're a force for good - focusing on our environmental and social impact We're experts by nature - always learning and developing to do things better We live and breathe it - putting our purpose at the heart of decision-making We're better together - understanding partnerships and inclusivity make us greater We keep evolving - pushing boundaries to make tomorrow better for our customers

Your world of expertise

As a Senior Operational Meteorologist joining our Exeter Services Operation Centre (SOC), you'll provide smart, tailored and focused meteorological information in the form of planning, tactical and impact-based forecasts and advice to ensure our customers and stakeholders are resilient to the challenges they face because of the weather.


We currently have opportunities to work in aviation focused roles, including our Aviation Team Leader and European Aviation Specialist positions. We will however hold a 12-month reserve list, which we may use to fill any further Senior Operational Meteorologist vacancies that arise within or outside of the aviation sector.

Your key duties:

Being part of a shift working team (working day as well as night shifts), providing forecasting expertise and leadership to those working with you. Using expert knowledge, analyse and enhance forecast guidance, to deliver services and advice to the customer in a style that suits their requirements. Having an in-depth knowledge of the customer, including a full understanding of the weather elements which impact on their operations, plus how and when contingencies should be implemented to help mitigate these impacts. Engaging with operational decision-makers and senior customer stakeholders, delivering high quality services, including briefings, and through customer engagement look to continually improve these products and services. Using excellent customer liaison skills alongside enhanced customer knowledge, provide guidance on impacts to allow the customer to operate in the most safe and cost-effective manner.

Why join us

Our work is life-changing, often life-saving and always life-enhancing. The Met Office is Great Place to Work UK certified. We are also featured on their 'Best Workplaces in Tech' 2023 and 2024 lists, as well as their '54 Best Workplaces for Women' 2023 list.


As our Senior Operational Meteorologist, your total reward package will be up to 62,619 annually, which includes:

41,725 base pay. 4,200 as an Unsocial Hours Allowance for shift working, if applicable to the working pattern of your post. An outstanding Civil Service pension, with an average employer contribution of 28.97%. Annual Leave starting at 27.5 days (plus Bank Holidays) rising to 32.5 days (plus Bank Holidays) after 5 years and option to buy or sell up to 5 days per year of annual leave.

Essential Criteria, skills and experience:

Successful completion of a Meteorologist Training Programme, with evidence that you have a variety of operational experience as a Meteorologist and have continued to develop professionally, hence demonstrating you are an

expert by nature

. Able to demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of what customers from a variety of sectors require from Meteorological services, including an understanding of how the weather impacts them, showing that you

live and breathe it

. Demonstrate you work

better

together

through the capability to lead, mentor, motivate and inspire a team in an operational environment. Exhibit strong communication, persuasion and negotiation skills in order to influence customers and colleagues. Evidence of embracing change in the work environment, demonstrating that you

keep evolving

. Demonstrate evidence of a flexible approach, being able to change plans (move resources or tasks) at short notice to deal with unexpected events or customer requests.

How to apply

If you share our values, we'd love to hear from you! Click apply to begin your application. Please complete your career history and provide evidence against each of the essential criteria in the supporting statement questionnaire. We recommend candidates use the CARL method (Context, Action, Result and Learning) for presenting evidence of experience and skills.


Closing date 15/09/2025 at 23:59 with interviews commencing from 25/09/2025. You will hear from us once the closing date has passed.

Using AI in your application

We welcome applications that use AI tools for support in drafting or refining, as long as they accurately reflect your own skills and experience. All hiring decisions at the Met Office are made by people, not AI. For more details, visit our approach to recruitment.

How we can help

If you have any questions or would like to discuss this opportunity further, please contact us at careers@metoffice.gov.uk.


If you're considering applying and need support to do so, please get in touch. You can request adjustments either within your application or by contacting us. Should you be offered an interview, please be aware there may be a selection exercise which could include a presentation, written test or a scenario-based activity. You can select in your application to be considered under the Disability Confident Scheme. To be invited to interview/assessment under this scheme, your application must meet the essential criteria for the role.


We understand that great minds don't always think alike and as an equal opportunities employer we welcome applications from those with all protected characteristics. We recruit on merit, fairness, and open competition in line with the Civil Service Code.


We can only accept applications from those eligible to live and work in the UK - please refer to GOV.UK for information. We require Security clearance, for which you need to have resided in the UK for at least 3 of the last 5 years to be eligible. You will need to achieve full security clearance within your first 6 months with us.