Newsroom Meteorologist, Houston Chronicle

Newsroom Meteorologist, Houston Chronicle

The Houston Chronicle has an opening for a creative meteorologist to join a new weather science team operating within the newsroom. The Newsroom Meteorologist will write daily forecasts for the greater Houston region and be the scientific expert on the team, focused on explaining complex weather concepts in writing to a general audience in an engaging and smart manner.

The Newsroom Meteorologist will embrace experimentation in new formats for local news and weather information while developing an original voice and pushing the boundaries of traditional text-based storytelling. Qualified candidates will be comfortable reporting their own forecasts and weather-related stories and helping team members bring their ideas to life. Communication and collaboration skills will be vital, as will the understanding that establishing an editing process is key to the team’s success.

The person in this role will create daily text-based content and likely contribute to audio, video, social and graphics-driven work. This is not an on-camera position in the broadcast sense though the meteorologist’s work may include social video appearances.

The Chronicle is investing in weather forecasting, data, tools and information. This role provides a unique opportunity for an experienced meteorologist to make an impact on a new team and in local communities, while benefiting from the support of the national Hearst Newspapers team of engineers and developers.

What the Newsroom Meteorologist will do:

• Provide support, consultation and expertise to newsroom reporters, editors and leadership during major weather events and on complex weather and climate stories.
• Prepare forecasts and write stories from meteorological data gathered by satellites, forecast models and radar.
• Report on breaking weather news as it happens.
• Be an ambassador for the team as it launches and grows, engaging with readers and outside media.
• Contribute to products such as a newsletter and “live updates” content.
• Collaborate with the team to develop weather graphics, maps, tools and charts.

What it will take to be successful:

• Background in journalism, blogging or scientific writing.
• Ability to explain science clearly and quickly as a voice of authority during events such as hurricanes, flooding, fires and storms.
• AMS certification is a plus.
• Experience writing in the Area Forecast Discussion style.
• Experience with audio or video reporting is a plus.
• Ability to publish effectively across channels, including social media, newsletters and news stories.
• Experience communicating complex weather events to the general public.
• Judgment of when to shift plans and put an emphasis on public safety ahead of severe weather events.
• Openness to building relationships with NWS meteorologists in Houston and neighboring forecast offices.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in meteorology or a related field.
• NWS experience a plus.

Requirements:

• Weekend and evening work may be required as news warrants.
• This position is full time.
• A minimum of two years working on a forecasting team.
• The successful candidate must be based in the Houston area or willing to move to the region.

About the Houston Chronicle:

The Houston Chronicle serves Houston’s 2.3 million residents — as well as all of Texas — with content and marketing solutions across two of Houston’s largest websites, HoustonChronicle.com and Chron.com, along with our newspaper and magazine brands. The content and innovative business solutions we provide invite readers to join conversations about communities we’ve been helping prosper for more than 120 years.

About Hearst Newspapers:

With 2,500 employees across the nation, HNP encompasses a network of 24 daily and 52 weekly publications, including the San Francisco Chronicle, Houston Chronicle, San Antonio Express-News and Albany Times Union, several top digital-only news and lifestyle sites, marketing services businesses, and entertainment businesses such as King Features Syndicate.

At HNP, we are investing in new and innovative ways to tell stories – growing newsrooms, diversifying tools, evolving platforms – to support the millions of people who trust us each month to help them make decisions, take action and be inspired.

Be a part of something bigger – your headline awaits.