Position Description

Directs, plans, coordinates and supervises the operations and activities of a specialized unit or small department; develops and implements policies and procedures, administers the budget, organizes tasks and sets priorities. Serves as liaison with university personnel and community at large. Works under general supervision with broad latitude for initiative and independent judgement.

Major/Essential Functions

1. Provide leadership and strategic planning for the combined West Texas Mesonet and TxDOT roadside weather station network, including long-term vision, expansion priorities, sustainability, operational goals, and performance metrics.
2. Administer all aspects of the TxDOT roadside weather observation project, including project planning, installation and maintenance activities, contractor and consultant oversight, compliance, sponsor reporting, timelines, and performance accountability.
3. Manage and strengthen relationships with TxDOT, federal and state agencies, the National Weather Service, network users, sponsors, contractors, consulting engineers, landowners, and other external stakeholders.
4. Oversee the development, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement of automated quality assurance and quality control processes, targeted data products and streams, and web-based tools serving network users and the public.
5. Lead and supervise technical staff and field teams responsible for weather station installation, maintenance, calibration, real-time data transmission, troubleshooting, and network reliability.
6. Establish operational priorities, assign responsibilities, evaluate performance, support employee development, and ensure that personnel and resources are aligned with program objectives.
7. Oversee budgets, project timelines, contracts, operational resources, and sponsor requirements associated with the West Texas Mesonet and TxDOT roadside weather network.
8. Lead proposal development and external funding efforts to support network operations, research, infrastructure improvements, expansion, and related initiatives.
9. Ensure the operational reliability and continuity of the observing network, including coordination with information technology and cloud architecture personnel regarding data systems, hybrid infrastructure, cybersecurity, data storage, and product delivery.
10. Progressively assume full operational leadership of the West Texas Mesonet, including the integrated TxDOT roadside weather stations, during and following the planned leadership transition period.
11. Drive to Mesonet sites to conduct or oversee field installations, maintenance visits, and site assessments as needed for quality control, troubleshooting, stakeholder relationship management, and system performance evaluation.
12. Develop, implement, and maintain policies, procedures, standards, documentation, and training related to network operations, workplace and field safety, data quality, equipment maintenance, and regulatory or sponsor compliance.
13. Evaluate current and emerging technologies related to meteorological instrumentation, communications systems, data acquisition, cloud computing, automated quality control, and public-facing data delivery.
14. Prepare and present technical, operational, and programmatic reports to NWI leadership, sponsors, agency representatives, and other stakeholders.
15. Perform other duties as assigned in support of the mission and strategic priorities of the National Wind Institute.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Meteorology, Atmospheric Science, Engineering, Computer Science, or a closely related field.
• Direct experience managing or making significant technical or operational contributions to a large mesonet, roadside weather network, environmental monitoring network, or similar distributed observation system.
• Knowledge of meteorological and environmental sensors, Campbell Scientific data loggers, communications protocols, telemetry systems, cloud computing, and automated quality assurance and quality control methods.
• Experience developing, overseeing, or guiding web-based data products, visualization tools, data services, or public-facing information systems.
• Familiarity with TxDOT or a comparable transportation agency, including roadside weather monitoring, winter weather operations, transportation safety, or weather-related transportation applications.
• Successful record of developing proposals and securing external funding from government agencies, sponsors, or research organizations.
• Experience supervising multidisciplinary technical staff and coordinating with engineers, information technology professionals, contractors, consultants, researchers, and field personnel.
• Experience administering large, complex, or externally funded operational projects.

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree in Meteorology, Atmospheric Science, Engineering, Computer Science, or a closely related field.
• At least six years of progressively responsible management or leadership experience in weather observation network operations, environmental monitoring, research infrastructure, engineering, or a closely related area.
• Demonstrated experience with the installation, maintenance, calibration, and operation of mesonet, roadside weather, environmental monitoring, or comparable observation systems.
• Experience leading technical personnel, supervising field teams, managing contractors, or coordinating complex, multisite operations.
• Demonstrated ability to manage budgets, schedules, operational priorities, deliverables, and external sponsor requirements.
• Strong organizational, project management, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with technical and nontechnical audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain productive relationships with government agencies, sponsors, contractors, researchers, landowners, and other stakeholders.
• Ability to drive extensively, work extended hours in the field when necessary, and perform work in harsh or variable outdoor environments.

This position requires eligibility to drive TTU vehicles, including a valid U.S. driver license and two years of driving experience.

About the Department and/or College

The National Wind Institute (NWI) has evolved from its traditional singular focus on wind hazards to three main research pillars of Energy Systems, Atmospheric Measurement & Simulation, and Wind Engineering. Though all three of these pillars focus on distinct issues, they also maintain common ground via cross cutting themes. All research seeks to benefit communities at micro and macro scales.
https://www.depts.ttu.edu/nwi/

Special Instructions to Applicants

The Director of Surface Observing Systems provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, and long-term planning for the West Texas Mesonet and the integrated Texas Department of Transportation roadside weather observation network.

The position administers the TxDOT project, including planning, installation, maintenance, contractor coordination, compliance, reporting, and performance accountability. The Director ensures the effective technical and operational integration of roadside weather stations into the broader mesonet infrastructure and leads efforts to maintain, expand, and sustain the combined observing network.

The Director serves as a primary point of contact for the NWI Senior Director, TxDOT, federal and state agencies, the National Weather Service, sponsors, contractors, consulting engineers, landowners, network users, and other stakeholders.

The position includes a planned multiyear overlap with the current West Texas Mesonet Director. During this period, the Director of Surface Observing Systems will progressively assume responsibility for the operational leadership and long-term management of the combined network.

Work is performed with broad latitude for independent judgment and initiative under the general direction of the NWI Senior Director.

Safety Information

Adherence to robust safety practices and compliance with all applicable health and safety regulations are responsibilities of all TTU employees.

Pay Statement

Compensation is commensurate upon the qualifications of the individual selected and budgetary guidelines of the hiring department, as well as the institutional pay plan.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Advanced knowledge of weather observation networks and distributed environmental monitoring systems.
• Ability to develop and execute long-term strategic and operational plans.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, personnel, and stakeholder expectations simultaneously.
• Ability to evaluate complex technical and operational problems and implement practical, sustainable solutions.
• Ability to lead organizational change and manage a planned transition of operational responsibilities.
• Ability to interpret and apply sponsor requirements, contracts, technical standards, institutional policies, and safety procedures.
• Ability to communicate technical information clearly through written reports, presentations, briefings, and stakeholder meetings.
• Ability to exercise sound independent judgment and make timely decisions affecting network operations, personnel, budgets, and external commitments.