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Chief Meteorologist
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Position Number: 4951520
Location: Gainesville, FL
Position Type: Communications - Broadcast Journalism

Chief Meteorologist

Job No: 529981
Work Type: Staff Full-Time
Location: Main Campus (Gainesville, FL)
Categories: Communications/Public Relations/Marketing
Department: 23100000 - CJC-WRUF-RADIO STATION

Job Description

Classification Title:

Chief Meteorologist/Director of Florida Public Radio Emergency Network

Job Description:

Bring Your Leadership to a Culture of Excellence!

Looking to enjoy broadcast meteorology again and know that you're truly making a difference in the world? WUFT-TV/FM, home of the Florida Public Radio Emergency Network (FPREN) and part of the UF College of Journalism and Communications, seeks an innovative, experienced and driven meteorologist and communicator to lead our four-person WUFT-TV/FM weather team and direct the Florida Public Radio Emergency Network (FPREN) and South Carolina Emergency Information Network (SCEIN). Get out of the day in-day out grind of working in 2-and-a-half-minute weather segments "x" number of times each day and create television, radio, digital, social and mobile weather content that really matters and serves every market in Florida and South Carolina, from Miami and Tampa to Orlando, Jacksonville, Charleston and Greenville-Spartanburg. This position supervises a team of meteorologists and content producers and editors and reports to the Executive Director of the Division of Media Properties. We are seeking an experienced professional who loves weather, likes the idea of being live on the air in multiple large markets when hurricanes threaten and can connect to and motivate the diverse multi-market and multi-state population we serve and instruct. This is likely the best weather job in America in a positive, encouraging, stable and state of the art environment with an incredible benefits package to boot. Come join us in sunny Florida!

About the Opportunity

The Chief Meteorologist and Director of the Florida Public Radio Emergency Network (FPREN) will serve as the primary on air talent and behind the scenes manager for weather and public safety content produced and delivered through the College through television, radio, and digital platforms.

This position provides oversight of the daily operation of two multi-station emergency content networks (FPREN and SCEIN) including budgetary review and decision-making responsibilities. The Chief Meteorologist and Director maintains routine contact with Florida Public Media and South Carolina ETV/Public Radio personnel and leadership to ensure severe weather and other FPREN/SCEIN content is being deployed appropriately on local market stations (on air, online and via social media).

In this role the successful candidate will also provide oversight of the compilation of daily forecast products for distribution on television, radio and internet/web-new media applications which may include weekday, weeknight, or weekends to ensure the appropriate content is being developed and delivered to all relevant stations. The Chief Meteorologist and Director will oversee web and social media based weather-related products for the Division of Multimedia Properties and associated products and platforms. This position also oversees the student interns (Meteorologist in Training) in the weather area of the operation.

The Chief Meteorologist and Director must work strategically to ensure the WRUF-TV local broadcast and cable channel is positioned as an effective local weather, news and sports content channel utilizing content developed in the College of Journalism and Communications and Division of Media Properties.

This position will perform in a high-profile role, serving the local viewing and listening area as well as the entire state of Florida and South Carolina via television and radio. Must be comfortable in public settings and in representing the College of Journalism and Communications and the University of Florida.

About the University of Florida

UF is the state's sole member of the Association of American Universities. It is in the midst of a multi-year pre-eminence initiative that has created more than 500 new faculty positions and generated a $70 million partnership with NVIDIA to create the nation's top research lab in artificial intelligence. In 2020, UF faculty generated more than $900 million in research grants.

The University of Florida offers a competitive salary commensurate with similar positions and includes a full benefits package. To view the university's Total Reward benefit package, please click here: https://benefits.hr.ufl.edu/.

About the College of Journalism and Communications

The College of Journalism and Communications is accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC) and is home to four departments - Advertising, Journalism, Public Relations, and Media Production, Management, and Technology (MPMT). The college provides hands-on learning immersion experiences through the Innovation News Center, The Agency, Frank gatherings, the Division of Multimedia Properties, the Summer Media Institute, undergraduate research, various extracurricular groups and activities, etc. To learn more: https://www.jou.ufl.edu/this-is-cjc/

The College of Journalism and Communications respects and recognizes activities that are consonant with our mission. We are committed to an inclusive environment, preeminent scholarship, cross disciplinary education, superior skills development, and collaboration spanning the science and practice of communication to produce significant societal impact on a local, state and global scale.

About the Division of Media Properties

The College of Journalism's Division of Media Properties, includes seven broadcast stations, allowing students from throughout the College to gain experience in a competitive broadcast and multimedia environment. More than 200 students work in news, sports, production, management positions, web design, promotions and advertising for the radio and television stations each semester.

Division of Media Properties: https://www.jou.ufl.edu/home/main-immersion/mediaproperties/
Innovation News Center: https://www.jou.ufl.edu/home/main-immersion/inc/
FPREN: https://www.wuft.org/weather/?station=wuft

About the City of Gainesville

Gainesville (http://cityofgainesville.org) is home to Florida's largest and oldest university, and so is one of the state's centers of education, medicine, cultural events and athletics. Additionally, the city owns a regional transit system, a regional airport, and a 72-par championship golf course. Known for its preservation of historic buildings and the beauty of its natural surroundings, Gainesville's numerous parks, museums and lakes provide entertainment to thousands of visitors. Because of its beautiful landscape and urban "forest," Gainesville is one of the most attractive cities in Florida.

Explore Gainesville in 60 Seconds: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=e_7nUKAFanM&skip_registered_account_check=true

Expected Salary:

$90,000 - $110,000; commensurate with experience

Minimum Requirements:

Bachelor's degree in an appropriate area and four years of relevant experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

Degree in atmospheric science, meteorology, geography or communications with some coursework in meteorology. Experience/training should include a background in the latest weather graphics/display units from Weather Central, WSI and/or Accu-Weather, live Doppler radar/storm display units, and forecasting/tracking of severe weather. Experience leading substantial projects and staff preferred. Experience working with governmental agencies, especially NOAA, NWS and the NHC beneficial. Minimum of five years as a broadcast meteorologist/weathercaster with experience providing weather forecasts and severe weather updates for radio and the web. Bilingual in English and Spanish helpful as is knowledge of and even ability to code and lead web-based initiatives related to FPREN and other public-facing initiatives.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Upload resume, cover letter, and list of 3 references for consideration.

Application must be submitted by 11:55 p.m. (ET) of the posting end date.

Health Assessment Required:
No

Applications Close: 15 Feb 2024

To apply, visit https://explore.jobs.ufl.edu/en-us/job/529981/chief-meteorologist

The University is committed to non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations, genetic information and veteran status in all aspects of employment including recruitment, hiring, promotions, transfers, discipline, terminations, wage and salary administration, benefits, and training.