Location: Sacramento, CA
Office: WFO Sacramento Job Title: Meteorologist
Educational Background:
B.S. in Theoretical Physics and a Curricular Sequence in Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology from the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez
M.S. in Geosciences - Professional Meteorology/Climatology from Mississippi State University
Describe the career path that led you to your current job with the National Weather Service.
My career path began as a summer intern with the National Weather Forecast Office in Shreveport, LA. After college, I worked as a broadcast meteorologist in Puerto Rico. Following graduate school, I worked at NASA Langley Research Center as a research consultant. Following my research work at NASA, I began working at WFO Sacramento as a meteorologist.
What do you do for the NWS?
Besides operational forecasting, I provide Impact-Based Decision Support Services (IDSS) to help NWS partner agencies with their weather decision-making process. I provide on-site or virtual IDSS support to Emergency Operation Centers (EOC), and participate in exercises and meetings with core partners. I also help build and strengthen media and tribal partner relationships. I am a member of two national Spanish-language teams that provide IDSS, media interviews and translations of outreach material. I am one of the Preparedness and Resilience Program Coordinators that builds the NWS Community Engagement Portal to enhance the Weather-Ready Nation initiative. Finally, I represent Western Region on the Diversity Council Management under the Hispanic Program.
What was the most interesting, exciting, or impactful weather/water event you experienced while working for the NWS and why does it stand out?
A defining event in my career was experiencing the extreme fire growth conditions of the Camp Fire, the most destructive wildfire in California's history. I provided critical IDSS during the event at the state EOC including weather briefings, IAP weather forecasts, coordination with WFOs in CA, and the Regional Operations Center. This critical IDSS helped core partners make operational decisions.
What made you decide to pursue a career with the NWS?
Growing up on a tropical island, I experienced the devastation caused by hurricanes. As a kid, I enjoyed seeing WFO San Juan’s WCM on TV providing critical weather information to the public and media as tropical storms and hurricanes approached the island. In college, I had the opportunity to visit WFO San Juan several times to learn about their forecasting operations, shadow forecasters and observe weather balloon releases. From then, I decided I wanted to pursue a career with the NWS.
What do you like most about working for the NWS?
I enjoy building and strengthening relationships with NWS partner agencies to fulfill our mission for the protection of life and property. The NWS has endless opportunities to provide IDSS. I also enjoy the people who I work with and the networking opportunities across the agency.
What advice do you have for someone interested in a career with the NWS?
I highly recommend looking into student volunteer opportunities at an NWS office. I also suggest finding an NWS mentor for career guidance and networking opportunities. Consider earning a graduate degree. Attend meteorology conferences to share your research, expand your knowledge, and network with professionals in the field.
What training or coursework would you recommend to someone interested in following your career path?
Besides science and math, I recommend taking classes in emergency management, Geographical Information Systems (GIS), communication, public speaking, leadership, and graphical design. The courses will provide the recommended skills to provide decision support services in the NWS.
