CHIEF METEOROLOGIST - WLBT

Gray Television

• $80K — $95K *
Media
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in meteorology or atmospheric science required.
  • Significant on-air meteorology experience, ideally in a severe-weather market.
  • Prior chief meteorologist or leadership experience preferred.
  • Proven ability to manage extended, live severe-weather coverage with accuracy.
  • Strong understanding of radar interpretation and warning operations.
  • Exceptional on-camera presence; ability to simplify complex weather data.
  • Commitment to community service and audience trust.

Responsibilities

  • Lead the First Alert Weather team in creating accurate and viewer-focused coverage.
  • Deliver live forecasts during severe weather events and emergency situations.
  • Serve as a reliable on-air voice for the community before, during, and after crises.
  • Direct weather content strategy across all digital and broadcast platforms.
  • Collaborate with newsroom and digital teams to ensure timely and clear weather reports.
  • Mentor and develop weather team members to maintain a high-performance culture.
  • Engage with the community through outreach and severe-weather preparedness initiatives.

Benefits

  • Opportunities for professional growth and mentorship.
  • Community involvement through public events and outreach activities.
  • Access to advanced forecasting tools and technology.
  • Collaborative work environment with newsroom leadership.
  • Flexible scheduling to accommodate severe weather coverage.
Full Job Description
About WLBT:

WLBT is Mississippi's flagship television station and the clear #1 local TV and digital media brand in Central Mississippi. As an NBC affiliate, WLBT consistently delivers award-winning local news coverage, and we keep our viewers safe and informed with the most accurate First Alert Weather team. Located in the state's largest TV market and capital city, our area features top-tier museums, multiple universities, and the state's leading medical facilities, including the renowned University of Mississippi Medical Center. With Mississippi's mild climate, outdoor recreation is a way of life, supported by an extensive network of walking, running, and cycling trails throughout the metro. And for quick getaways, Jackson is just a short drive from beautiful Gulf Coast beaches and all the fun you can handle in New Orleans.

Sports fans will feel right at home here. Our DMA includes two SWAC programs, Jackson State and Alcorn State, and fans of SEC athletics are near four powerhouse schools: Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Alabama, and LSU. Pro sports are close by as well, with Saints and Pelicans action in New Orleans and Grizzlies games in Memphis.

Job Summary/Description:

We are seeking an experienced, dynamic Chief Meteorologist to lead our award-winning First Alert Weather team in one of the nation's most active and consequential severe-weather markets. This role requires exceptional forecasting skill, calm and commanding communication during breaking weather, and an unwavering commitment to protecting and serving our community. The Chief Meteorologist will build on a strong legacy of viewer trust while leading our weather coverage across broadcast, digital, social, and community platforms.

Duties/responsibilities will include, but not be limited to:

- Lead the First Alert Weather team and set a high standard for accurate, urgent, clear, and viewer-focused weather coverage.
- Deliver compelling, reliable on-air forecasts, including extended live coverage during severe weather, tornado threats, hurricanes, flooding, winter weather, and other high-impact events.
- Serve as a trusted, consistent on-air voice before, during, and after major weather events, helping viewers understand risks and make informed safety decisions.
- Direct weather strategy across all platforms, including newscasts, streaming, website, mobile, social media, and breaking-news coverage.
- Work closely with newsroom leadership, producers, anchors, reporters, and digital teams to ensure weather information is timely, accurate, easy to understand, and prominent when it matters most.
- Mentor, coach, and develop members of the weather team while fostering a collaborative, high-performance culture.
- Represent the station and First Alert Weather brand in the community through school visits, public events, severe-weather preparedness outreach, and partnerships with local organizations.
- Maintain strong working knowledge of emerging forecasting tools, radar technology, weather data, and audience-engagement platforms.

Qualifications/Requirements:

- Bachelor's degree in meteorology, atmospheric science, or a closely related field required.
- Significant on-air meteorology experience, including demonstrated leadership in a severe-weather market; prior chief meteorologist or weather-team leadership experience preferred.
- Proven ability to lead extended, live severe-weather coverage with sound editorial judgment, composure, urgency, and accuracy.
- Strong understanding of severe-weather forecasting, radar interpretation, warning operations, and the communication of weather risk to a broad audience.
- Exceptional on-camera presence and the ability to translate complex weather information into clear, conversational, actionable forecasts.
- A demonstrated commitment to community service, audience trust, and building meaningful relationships throughout the market.
- Strong leadership, coaching, communication, and collaboration skills.
- Ability to work a flexible schedule, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended hours during severe weather and breaking news.

If you feel you're qualified and want to work with a great group of people, go to https://gray.tv/careers#currentopenings, you may type in the job title, station call letters, or click on "apply now " and upload your resume, cover letter, and references.

(Current employees who are interested in this position can apply through the Gray-TV UltiPro self-service portal)

WLBT-TV/Gray Media is a drug-free company

Additional Info:

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