Description

Tracking Code 4691
Job Location Boise, ID
Wage $107,993.60 - $156,644.80 Annual
Application Deadline 03/01/2026

JOB DESCRIPTION
Idaho Power Company (IPC) — located in vibrant Boise, Idaho — is looking for an Atmospheric Scientist or Senior to join our Meteorology and Atmospheric Science team. It’s an exciting time to work for Idaho Power. Our work plays a critical role in communities we serve across Idaho and Oregon, and we’re working hard to safely provide our customers with the reliable, affordable, clean energy they depend on. This position is based at Idaho Power’s downtown Boise location. Relocation assistance may also be provided to the successful candidate.

 The Atmospheric Scientist supports Idaho Power Company (IPC)’s weather needs with limited guidance. The Atmospheric Scientist will lead moderately complex assignments and projects while interacting with various departments and weather users across Idaho Power.

In addition to the meaningful work we do, we offer work-life balance, competitive pay and benefits, an employee incentive plan, and both a 401k employer-match and a pension plan, making Idaho Power one of the best employers in the state.

A COMPETITIVE CANDIDATE WILL HAVE

Knowledge of:

• Applied atmospheric sciences, meteorology, hydrology, and climatology and how it pertains to a hydro-electric utility 
• Short, medium, and long-term (temperature and precipitation) forecasting
• Weather analysis and forecasting techniques
• Applied research methods and data management techniques to conduct meteorological research and development
• Effects of orographics on wintertime weather systems and river system hydrology
• Snowpack measurements and analysis used in temperature and quantitative precipitation forecasting, climate, and climate change
• Renewable energy

Preferred:

• • Mastery of theories and principals associated with theoretical and applied atmospheric science and meteorology
  • Applied research methods and data management techniques to conduct challenging meteorological research and development efforts
  • Experience with wildfire mitigation development and support
  • Long-term (temperature and precipitation) forecasting
  • Climatology
  • Snowpack measurements
  • Analysis used in temperature and quantitative precipitation forecasting, climate and climate change
  • Forecasting renewable energy including wind and solar
  • Winter weather modification. 
  • Instrumentation, specialized sensors (including microwave radiometer, rawinsonde, and radars) and their data
  • Remote sensing
  • High performance computing systems, technical knowledge of weather models and management of large datasets

Skills in:

• Planning and organizing
• Time management
• Weather and hydrologic analysis and forecasting
• Effectively communicate weather information to non-meteorology customers, as well as other meteorology staff and contract meteorologists
• Produce operational weather forecasts for wildfire mitigation, renewable and load forecasts, water supply forecasts, and weather modification operations
• Weather-related computer-programming languages such as Python, or other data-science-focused programming languages

Ability to:

• Produce short (days) and long (months) term weather forecasts including quantitative precipitation forecast and temperature to work with both fixed and irregular time constraints
• Acquire and use atmospheric/meteorological data, synoptic and mesoscale models, and products to conduct mesoscale meteorological analysis and support specialized meteorological and hydrologic applications
• Work under general direction, with considerable latitude, to carry out responsibilities
• Plan and conduct assignments to conduct research, develop new techniques, produce operational forecasts for the business, operate and make real-time decisions for a winter weather modification program

Preferred:

• • Identify productive areas for research and development of weather-based information products
  • Exercise a high degree of originality and judgement to define complex problems, act in a liaison capacity with other departments and/or external stakeholders, design and implementation of new forecasting techniques to include utilization of computer programming languages associated with atmospheric sciences, and implementation of meteorological forecasts into IPCs day to day operations
  • Analyze and interpret large datasets from weather models and observation networks

Requirements

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Atmospheric Scientist:

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in atmospheric science, physics, meteorology, or a related science

Preferred:

• • Master's degree in atmospheric science or physics, meteorology, or a related field

Experience:

• 3 years of experience in the atmospheric sciences or meteorology related fields, in research, observing, forecasting or modeling
  • A Master of Science (or Ph.D.) in atmospheric science or physics, meteorology, or a closely related science can be substituted for 1 year (3 years for Ph.D.) of experience

Preferred:

• • 3 years of experience in operational meteorology with 1 season of meteorological and hydrologic integration, winter weather modification, wildfire mitigation/science, or renewable energy research

Licenses & Certifications:

• Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record based on driving requirements for the position

Preferred:

• • Have, or able to meet the requirements necessary for Certified Operator defined by the Weather Modification Association

Senior Atmospheric Scientist:
Education:

• Bachelor's degree in atmospheric science, physics, meteorology, or a related science

Preferred:

• • Master's degree in atmospheric science, physics, meteorology, or a related field

Experience:

• 7 years of experience in the atmospheric sciences or meteorology related fields, including experience in winter weather modification, renewable energy research, wildfire mitigation/science, and/or meteorological and hydrologic forecast integration
  • A Master of Science (or Ph.D.) in atmospheric science or physics, meteorology, or a closely related science can be substituted for 1 year (3 years for Ph.D.) of experience

Preferred:

• • 10 years of experience in operational meteorology with 6 seasons of meteorological and hydrologic integration
  • Winter weather modification
  • Wildfire mitigation/science
  • Renewable energy research

Licenses & Certifications:

• Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record based on driving requirements for the position

Preferred:

• • Currently have or be able to meet the requirements necessary for Certified Operator defined by the Weather Modification Association

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
This position has both office work and field work. The office work requires working at a desk/computer for extended periods of time. It requires the use of office equipment, fine motor skills including typing on the computer, dialing phones, filing paper, and working in close proximity to other people. There may be occasional lifts of no more than 10 lbs.

The field work consists of working at the equipment locations. Lifts no greater than 10lbs are performed occasionally and occasional walking is required in all weather conditions on sometimes rough, uneven ground as well as the ability to occasionally climb stairs. Stooping, bending, and standing is performed frequently while in the field. The above is a summary of the primary essential functions of the position. This job may require the performance of additional tasks assigned by company leaders or management. Questions regarding job requirements or accommodation requests should be directed to Human Resources.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Ability, willingness and flexibility to work long, irregular hours.