The Kentucky Climate Center at Western Kentucky University (WKU) is seeking applicants for the position of Program Manager for the Kentucky Mesonet, a research-grade weather and climate monitoring network that supports public safety and economic development across the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The Kentucky Mesonet is a statewide weather network consisting of 80 automated environmental stations that collect, archive, and disseminate over one million observations annually. The Mesonet Program Manager will oversee the operations and management of the network, including sensor selection, repair, and calibration; data quality assurance and quality control; data dissemination and archival; and the selection and deployment of new stations. In addition, the Program Manager will coordinate with Mesonet research partners, including public, private and academic collaborators.

The primary responsibility of this position is to manage a high-quality environmental network, working to ensure operational reliability and the delivery of the highest quality data possible. The manager will supervise a dozen highly trained staff, including calibration and quality control technicians, field technicians, and IT and office managers. In particular, the program manager will be responsible for establishing new site locations; ensuring reliable site infrastructure including station power and communications, state-of-the-art data processing and calibration standards, and comprehensive metadata and data protocols; and maintaining site host and partner relations. The manager will report to the Kentucky Mesonet Director. The manager will play a key role in guiding the long-term development of the network with the addition of new sensors, system upgrades and deployment strategies.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Oversight of the day-to-day operations of the Mesonet
• Provide supervision and mentoring of Mesonet staff
• Budget planning and monitoring of fiscal activities
• Ensure system infrastructure, including field hardware, tools, and supporting IT infrastructure are satisfactory
• Provide guidance on sensor and network upgrades
• Oversight of field technician activities
• Oversight of sensor purchasing, calibrations and repairs
• Provide oversight of data assurance and quality control
• Ensure a motivated, productive and healthy work environment
• Provide regular communication of Mesonet activities to the Mesonet Director, the Mesonet External Advisory Board, and additional partners through email, in-person meetings, presentations, and social media
• Foster collaborations with external partners, such as the National Mesonet Program, American Association of State Climatologist, other state mesonets, and vendors where appropriate
• Coordinate resources for collaborative, research activities

Knowledge and Skills Considered Essential for Success

• Passionate about the production (collection, processing, dissemination, and archival) of high-quality weather data
• Strong interest in and knowledge of meteorological instrumentation and equipment for automated environmental monitoring
• Interest in testing and experimenting with new weather sensors
• Strong interpersonal skills, including management experience
• Attentive to staff professional development
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong organizational skills
• Detail oriented

• Master's degree in meteorology, atmospheric sciences, environmental sciences, engineering, or related STEM discipline
• At least two years' management experience, overseeing staff
  

Salary Range: $55,000 - $75,000

Kentucky state law requires all public institutions of postsecondary education to conduct pre-employment criminal background checks to determine suitability for employment.

Western Kentucky University (WKU) is committed to a policy and practice of providing equal employment and educational opportunities to all individuals. In accordance with Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Revised 1992, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, no form of discrimination or harassment will be tolerated at WKU on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, marital status, age, uniformed services, veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, or physical or mental disability in admission to career and technical education programs and/or activities, or employment practices.

Persons with disabilities, who need reasonable accommodations to participate in the application and/or selection process, should notify the office of Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action/University ADA Services (EEO). To request an accommodation, report/express a complaint, or ask questions regarding WKU''s Discrimination and Harassment Policy (#0.2040), please contact Mr. Joshua Hayes, EEO Director/Title IX Investigator/University ADA Coordinator, via email at joshua.hayes@wku.edu or by phone at (270) 745-5121.

The University is also required to investigate complaints of sex and gender-based harassment, also a form of discrimination, and has designated the Title IX Coordinator as the individual responsible for coordinating the investigation and response to such complaints. The Title IX Coordinator for the University is Ms. Ena Demir, who can be contacted via email at ena.demir@wku.edu or by phone at (270) 745-6867. Additional information regarding Title IX is accessible via WKU's https://www.wku.edu/titleix/ website.

Information concerning educational programs offered by WKU are provided at: http://www.wku.edu/atwku/academics.php