High demand role
This is a highly competitive role with a potential long lead time to join.
You may wish to consider joining the Royal Navy as a Hydrography and Meteorology Specialist.
Job Role
Meteorology Officer
From the Caribbean to the Antarctic, you’ll lead the way in collecting, processing and analysing vital information.
- £31,000 - £110,500
- A-Levels / college qualifications
- Surface Fleet
- Warfare
- Officer level
At a glance
From the Caribbean to the Antarctic, you’ll lead the way in collecting, processing and analysing meteorological and oceanographic information. Using your leaderships skills, you’ll play an important role in preparing missions, coordinating the teams that analyse environmental factors around the world.
£31,000
Your minimum salary from day one
£38,500
Earning potential after two years
Free
Medical and dental care
Management
Opportunities early on
6 weeks
Of paid holiday every year
Travel
All around the world
My job takes me all over the world, as I lead my team on some truly fascinating research projects. I also get to work alongside pilots from the Fleet Air Arm, which is really rewarding.
Role details
What you’ll do
From the Caribbean to the Antarctic, you’ll lead the way in collecting, processing and analysing meteorological and oceanographic information. Using your excellent leaderships skills, you’ll play an important part in preparing key missions, coordinating the teams that analyse environmental factors around the globe. Once you’ve trained as a Meteorology Officer, you can then specialise in either hydrography, or meteorology and oceanography.
Your role
- Process and communicate essential environmental data to use to our operational advantage.
- Maintain some of our most vital international partnerships, either through training domestic teams, or by using your expertise to help allies.
- If you specialise in hydrography, you’ll most likely spend your time on board a survey vessel.
- As a Meteorologist you’ll focus on the tactical implications of weather and atmospheric conditions for our aircraft, ships and submarines.
Pay & benefits
- A starting salary of at least £31,000
- Earn up to £38,500 after two years
- An excellent pension scheme
- Extra pay for days spent at sea
- Six weeks of paid holiday every year
- Free medical and dental care
Skills for life
Qualifications you'll gain
- There’s potential for a degree and even a Masters
- Internationally recognised professional qualifications, with a significant financial contribution from us
Skills you'll develop
- Unique Naval leadership and management skills that are highly valued by civilian employers
- Focussed expertise in hydrography, meteorology or oceanography
Eligibility
- You must be aged 18 to 39
- You’ll need a minimum of 72 UCAS points. These can be accrued from either GCE A/AS levels (or equivalent) or National Diplomas (e.g., BTEC). UCAS points must include one AS Level Maths or Science subject.
- You’ll need at least 5 GCSEs at grades A*-C (9-4) (or Scottish equivalent), which must include English and Mathematics
- The Branch Manager will consider only BSc degrees or FdSC as a minimum, Qualifications in Meteorology/Oceanography are preferred.
- You must be a United Kingdom citizen or British Dual National. Dual Nationality restrictions do apply
- You must have lived in the UK for 5 years continuously prior to application
- A Body Mass Index (BMI) between 18 and 28 (between 17 and 27 if under 18)
- Pass the Naval Swimming Test
Skills & Interests
- Strong analytical thinking and decision-making abilities
- An ability to thrive in high-pressure situations and extreme conditions
- A confident leader who can also work well in a team
- A sense of adventure
Joining Process
From picking your role to the first day of training; everything you need to know as an officer
Step 1
Submit an application
Once you’ve registered your interest and have satisfied the basic eligibility criteria, you will be sent an online application form
Step 2
Defence Aptitude Assessment (DAA)
You’ll be tested on: Verbal Reasoning, Numerical Reasoning, Work Rate, Spatial Reasoning, Electrical Comprehension and Mechanical Comprehension.
To prepare, you can practise the DAA
Step 3
Interview
A formal interview to talk through your suitability for the role
Step 4
Medical and eye tests
These are quite comprehensive and must be completed by one of our Ministry of Defence-approved doctors
Step 5
Pre-Joining Fitness Test (PJFT)
This involves completing a 2.4km run on a treadmill within a certain time, at a fitness centre near you
Step 6
Interview
You’ll have a short interview to assess your suitability for a career in the Royal Navy, and to ensure you’re ready for the Admiralty Interview Board (AIB)
Step 7
Admiralty Interview Board (AIB)
This stage is unique to officers and takes place in two parts. A Pre Recorded Interview (PRI) is an online assessment which assesses your motivation to join the Royal Navy as an officer and your awareness of the Royal Navy. The Group Planning Exercise (GPE) is the second stage of the AIB and is an online competency based assessment which will take place on a separate day to the PRI. It will be conducted in a virtual group environment and you will be assessed on your contribution to the team based on your individual performance
Career Progression
From responsibilities to pay, find out where this role can take you.
Phase one training
Initial Naval Training at Britannia Royal Naval College
Phase two training
Professional training, Basic HM Course at HMS Drake
First year
Enhance your skills, study scientific theory, go to sea
First promotion – Lieutenant
Responsible for the day-to-day running of the department
Second promotion - Lieutenant Commander
Advanced training, choose Hydrography or Meteorology
Got a question?
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