Roaming Network Officer

We’re looking for an exceptional Roaming Network Officer to help us make a difference to our planet.

As our Roaming Network Officer, the job involves hybrid working, which is where an employee works the majority of the week in our weather station network with some time working in our Watnall office and some time from home.

Our opportunity is full time, 37 hours per week, but we would also consider applicants wishing to work a minimum of 30 hours per week and we will also try our best to consider those intending to work a jobshare. Our people are at the heart of what we do and we'll do our best toagreea working pattern that works for everyone.

This job will require the post holder to travel around the UK as a Network Officer and you will also be expected to make occasional visits to Exeter HQ to support the work of the wider Surface Observations Operations Team.

World changing work

From science to technology, from meteorology to management, and from planning to communication, our expertise helps us stand out as the authority on weather accuracy and climate prediction. We help individuals, industries and government to make better decisions to stay safe and thrive. This is the Met Office. This is who we are.

• We’re aforcefor good - focusing on our environmental and social impact
• We’re experts by nature - always learning and developing to do things better
• We live and breathe it - putting our purpose at the heart ofdecision-making
• We’re bettertogether-understandingpartnerships and inclusivity make us greater
• We keep evolving - pushing boundaries to make tomorrow better for our customers

Your world of expertise

You will ensure the quality, timeliness, and availability of observations from land surface-based observations networks.

As a Roaming Network Officer, you will be responsible for overseeing land observation site performance, installing meteorological instruments, responding to incidents, and the inspection and maintenance of observing equipment to maintain the highest standards of observation quality, timeliness, and availability. You will be the first point of contact for voluntary observers and site authorities within your area of responsibility.

You will travel extensively, and you will be expected to become an authority on land surface meteorological instruments and methods of observation.

The role requires the ability to physically transport and install equipment at our weather stations, occasionally being required to trek over rough terrain, sometimes in challenging or poor weather. Overnight stays will be required, with up to 4 nights away from home per week. The role involves travel by air and sea to remote islands.

• Inspect and assess the suitability of observing sites against documented standards, install or repair equipment and advise on the deployment of instruments to ensure that observing standards are met.
• Instruct, encourage, and provide feedback to voluntary observers on how to undertake the observing task to improve the quality and quantity of observations they produce.
• Ensure quality, timeliness, and availability of observations from observing sites meet requirements by monitoring performance, ensuring instrument calibration and accuracy, seeking new sites, and recommending sites for withdrawal or automation .
• Collect, manage, and archive site metadata in accordance with international requirements.
• Plan site visits in an efficient manner and manage and maintain sufficient local stocks of calibrated instruments, observing equipment and literature required.
• Work with colleagues in the Surface Observations Operations team and other Network officers to ensure a network-wide quality management approach to the Met Office Surface observing networks .
• Occasionally visit land observation sites at short notice to support the verification of national weather and climate records

Our work is life-changing, often life-saving and always life-enhancing.The Met Office is Great Place to Work UK certified. We are also featured on their ‘Best Workplaces in Tech’ 2023, 2024 and 2025 lists, as well as their ’54 Best Workplaces for Women’ 2023 list.

As our Roaming Network Officer, your total reward package will be up to £49,448 annually, which includes:

• An outstanding Civil Service pension, with an average employer contribution of 28.97%
• Annual Leave starting at 27.5 days (plus Bank Holidays) rising to 32.5 days (plus Bank Holidays) after 5 years and option to buy or sell up to 5 days per year of annual leave

Essential Criteria, skills and experience:

• Lead Criteria: A broad knowledge of land observing systems, and an understanding of the principles behind the operation of manual and automatic instrumentation in the differing environments (We're experts by nature).
• A proven ability to work unsupervised, in an organised and timely manner, to deal with multiple tasks and prioritise a busy schedule (We keep evolving).
• A flexible approach to work, with a willingness to work outside normal office hours, and to undertake visits to observing locations involving overnight stays when required (We live and breathe it).
• Evidence of excellent interpersonal skills with a proven ability to influence, negotiate, and develop sound working relationships with external customers and team members (We're better together).
• A proven ability to communicate technical information clearly and concisely in a range of formats, and to a range of audiences with varying levels of technical understanding (We're a force for good).
• Ability to physically transport and install equipment at weather stations, occasionally being required to trek over rough terrain, sometimes in challenging or poor weather .

The panel may perform a preliminary sift of the lead criteria as indicated above.

Closing date 20/09/2026 at 23:59 with first stage interviews commencing from 05/10/2026. You will hear from us once the closing date has passed.

Using AI in your application

We welcome applications that use AI tools for support in drafting or refining, as long as they accurately reflect your own skills and experience. All hiring decisions at the Met Office are made by people, not AI. For more details, visit our approach to recruitment .

How we can help

If you have any questions or would like to discuss this opportunity further, please contact us at careers@metoffice.gov.uk .

If you’re considering applying and need support to do so, please get in touch. You can request adjustments either within your application or by contacting us.Should you be offered an interview, please be aware there may be a selection exercise which could include a presentation, written test or a scenario-based activity. You can select in your application to be considered under the DisabilityConfidentScheme. To be invited to interview/assessment under this scheme, your application must meet the essential criteria for the role.

Weunderstand that great minds don’t always think alike and as an equal opportunities employer we welcome applications from those with all protected characteristics. We recruit on merit, fairness, and open competition in line with the Civil Service Code.

We can only accept applications from those eligible to live and work in the UK - please refer to GOV.UK for information.We require Security clearance, for which you need to have resided in the UK for at least 3 of the last 5 years to be eligible, 2 of these years must be immediately preceding the point of your application.

If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and wish to make a complaint, then in the first instance you should contact us at: careers@metoffice.gov.uk If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission at: info@csc.gov.uk

Our rewards and benefits are as varied as our customers and our people, depending on your role, and which part of the business you join. The one thing they have in common is that they’re designed to recognise your contribution to our success.

Starting at 27.5 days and rising to 32.5 days after five years of service (both figures exclude bank holidays). As well as the flexibility to buy or sell annual leave annually.

You’ll automatically qualify to join our alpha pension scheme, part of the Civil Service Pension arrangements. The scheme is recognised as one of the most generous occupational pensions.

Lifestyle support

Whether you wish to utilise our excellent family-friendly schemes, be paid up to 3 days for volunteering with your chosen organisation, have the reassurance of a generous sickness pay scheme or be part of an organisation that is happy to pro-actively talk about flexible working the Met Office wants you to have a great work and lifestyle balance.

Established hybrid working

We have bases all over the UK and some roles allow for you to work abroad so there is the option to travel for work also, we have established amazing hybrid working practices across all of our offices and have enhanced technology to enable office and home-based meetings. We work with employees to agree on a suitable working pattern that works for us both and have various working patterns in place.

Investing in your development

The world around us is constantly changing. New technologies, shifting climate patterns, artificial intelligence. These factors and more shape the need for us to develop our skills and knowledge as a business and as individuals. Our investment in learning and development is testament to this and we have partnered with external bodies in each profession to help shape the way we develop the incredible talent right across the Met Office. We help everyone to understand their strengths and opportunities and tailor learning programmes that match their career. For us, this is world-leading learning and development.

Throughout my education I developed a fascination with the intersection between the human and the natural world. I'm incredibly fortunate to now work in a role that bridges this connection, helping the emergency response community to prepare and respond to severe weather and ultimately protecting lives, property and infrastructure.

Ele Hands

Deputy Chief and International Meteorologist

I joined straight from university and did a year of training to be a forecaster. I spent eight years at various military bases, forecasting and observing the weather. I was part of a team which responded to a call for help from the Haitian Met Service back in 2010 after an earthquake. It was fantastic to be able to help in a time of emergency need. Now I work in the Expert Weather Hub on the global bench providing guidance to our customers and colleagues, as well as working on international projects with funding partners and other National Meteorological Services.

Robert Parish

Senior Operational Meteorologist (Mobile Met Unit)

I joined the Met Office in 2005 at the Edinburgh Climate Quality Control Department and progressed to become a Meteorological Observer. I joined the Mobile Met Unit deploying on a wide range of operations to provide weather advice to defence. I later completed forecaster training and for the last eight years I’ve been based at Heathrow as a Senior Operational Meteorologist. The vast training has allowed me to develop my customer and meteorological knowledge along with communication, collaboration and decision‑making skills.

Presenter and Meteorologist

International Meteorologist

I started my career at the Met Office with a year of training to become a meteorologist. When I wanted to forecast abroad, I was given on-the-job training at an RAF Brize Norton and RAF Lossiemouth. When I wanted to become a manager, I was given management training. When I wanted to train new weather forecasters, I was given the opportunity to complete an Award in Education and Training (AET). At the Met Office we keep learning and developing.

Bria Grange

Throughout my education I developed a fascination with the intersection between the human and the natural world. I'm incredibly fortunate to now work in a role that bridges this connection, helping the emergency response community to prepare and respond to severe weather and ultimately protecting lives, property and infrastructure.

Our typical recruitment process

2. Application

Apply through our careers website. Each application will be assessed against the essential criteria detailed in the job advert. We recommend that you use the CARL or STAR method to answer the key questions. Evidence your answers and reference our values to bring your application to life.

3. Screening

The sift panel will assess all applications against our essential criteria. Our screening process usually takes one to two weeks following the closing date of the advert. After which, we'll be in touch to let you know whether your application has progressed to the next stage.

4. Interview

Most recruitment processes will include a single-stage interview, some of which are virtual interviews and some may be in-person. Our interviews tend to blend competency questions, which focus on the essential criteria, with values‑based questions.

5. Assessment

Some roles may require you to attend an assessment day. Any job-specific assessments will be outlined in the job advert and more details will be provided at the interview stage.

6. Offer

If you are successful following the interview, the hiring manager will contact you to offer the role. The Resourcing Team will then follow up with an offer letter and start your onboarding.

7. Onboarding

Before we can confirm a start date, we will first need to complete security clearance and reference checks. These usually take between eight to ten weeks to complete. We'll also discuss any workplace adjustments that you may need. So they are in place on your first day.

On your first day your new manager will introduce you to the team and you’ll start our online corporate induction. You’ll also be asked to update your details in our People Hub system including bank details ready for your first pay day.

For those living outside of the UK, there are some roles where we can sponsor Skilled Worker visas. However, you will need to pass security clearance which requires you to have resided in the UK for at least 3 of the last 5 years and 2 of these years must be immediately preceding