£18,000 pa + benefits (rising to £22,100 on successful completion of training)
Training in Exeter, Devon, working in various locations around the UK
Full-time, permanent

This is an excellent chance to join a unique and high profile organisation with an excellent reputation that's home to world-class science and cutting-edge technological capabilities.

About the Met Office

Beyond weather. That's the best way to describe our work here at the Met Office. With over 1,800 people working at some 60 sites around the globe, we provide world-leading weather and climate services in the UK and overseas. Today, our products and services meet the needs of many different customers - from the general public, government and schools, through broadcasters and new media, to civil aviation and businesses in every sector imaginable. Everything we do, every area of our work, has a real impact on people's lives.

About the role

If you watched, listened to or read the news this morning, it's likely the Met Office played an important part in much of the coverage, over and above today's weather forecast. While we're best known for our television and radio bulletins, we supply an incredible number and variety of businesses and organisations with daily weather summaries, products and advice. From local councils to the military, from what the weather has in store for the next hour, right the way through to the next season. No other national meteorological service interprets and applies the same level of detail to meet such a wide range of individual customers' needs.

Starting in October 2012, and taking place at our college at our Exeter HQ, our Initial Forecasting Course (IFC) will provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to be an exceptional weather forecaster. The course lasts up to nine months and covers everything from observing methods to how to interpret satellite and radar imagery, to meteorological theory and practical forecasting, including scriptwriting and delivery. You'll learn from a qualified forecaster and spend time working at a Met Office site. When you've finished the course and you've qualified, you'll be ready to work at any one of our operational sites in the UK or overseas. You'll be part of an incredibly talented team providing forecasts and services to customers all around the world, all around the clock. And where you go from there is really up to. You could, for example, go to work with our Mobile Met Unit (MMU), supporting our Armed Forces in the field. We even have forecasters supporting operations on oil rigs, forecasting for Wimbledon and working in Antarctica with the British Antarctic Survey.

About you

Enthusiastic, talented and intelligent, you'll have a real passion for meteorology. As well as having studied Physics to at least AS Level (or equivalent qualification), you'll have a degree in a science-based subject. That could be meteorology, a physical science or maths. It will be an intensive learning experience, and we do expect your wholehearted contribution. In return you will find yourself in a rewarding, varied, challenging and exciting career where you'll be working with some of the brightest scientific brains and most powerful technology in the world.

The rewards

As a world-leading organisation, we offer a world-class reward package. Along with a competitive salary, you can look forward to a Civil Service pension, 25 days' holiday, enhanced maternity and adoption leave, plus excellent learning and development opportunities.

Apply

To find out more, and to apply online, please visit http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/jobs/current-vacancies/002306 As an equal opportunities employer, we encourage applications from all diversity groups, especially from black and ethnic minority applicants.

Closing date: 29 February 2012.