Atmospheric and Space Scientists
Investigate atmospheric phenomena and interpret meteorological data, gathered by surface and air stations, satellites, and radar to prepare reports and forecasts for public and other uses. Includes weather analysts and forecasters whose functions require the detailed knowledge of meteorology.
Sample of reported job titles:
Broadcast Meteorologist, Forecaster, Forensic Meteorologist, General Forecaster, Hydrometeorological Technician, Meteorologist, Research Meteorologist, Space Weather Forecaster, Warning Coordination Meteorologist, Weather Forecaster
Occupation-Specific Information
Tasks
- Broadcast weather conditions, forecasts, or severe weather warnings to the public via television, radio, or the Internet or provide this information to the news media.
- Gather data from sources such as surface or upper air stations, satellites, weather bureaus, or radar for use in meteorological reports or forecasts.
- Prepare forecasts or briefings to meet the needs of industry, business, government, or other groups.
- Measure wind, temperature, and humidity in the upper atmosphere, using weather balloons.
- Direct forecasting services at weather stations or at radio or television broadcasting facilities.
Technology Skills
- Analytical or scientific software:Air quality modeling software,Aninoquisi MesoTRAC,Baron Services FasTrac,Baron Volumetric Imaging and Processing of Integrated Radar VIPIR,Cave5D,Environmental Research Services RAOB,Ferret,Flow Analysis Software Toolkit FAST,Grid analysis and display system GrADS,IBM SPSS Statistics,Interactive radar analysis software IRAS,Lakes Environmental Software WRPLOT View,Maplesoft Maple,Mesoscale modeling software,PC Weather Products HURRTRAK,SAS statistical software,SatView,STATISTICA,SVRPLOT,Systat Software SigmaPlot,Systat Software SigmaStat,The MathWorks MATLAB,Unidata GEMPAK,Unidata Gempak Analysis and Rendering Program GARP,Unidata Integrated Data Viewer IDV,Unidata McIDAS-X,Vis5d+,VorTek Site Assessment of Tornado Threat SATT,Wind flow modeling software,WINGRIDDS,Wolfram Research Mathematica,WSI Titan,WSI TrueView Professional
- Data base user interface and query software:Microsoft Access,Structured query language SQL
- Desktop publishing software:QuarkXPress
- Development environment software:Formula translation/translator FORTRAN,Software development tools
- Electronic mail software:Microsoft Outlook
Occupational Requirements
Work Activities
- Working with Computers:Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
- Getting Information:Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge:Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
- Processing Information:Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
- Analyzing Data or Information:Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
Detailed Work Activities
- Analyze design requirements for computer or electronics systems.
- Apply knowledge or research findings to address environmental problems.
- Collaborate on research activities with scientists or technical specialists.
- Collect environmental data or samples.
- Communicate with the public on environmental issues.
Work Context
- Electronic Mail:100% responded"Every day"
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled:90% responded"Every day"
- Face-to-Face Discussions:70% responded"Every day"
- Time Pressure:70% responded"Every day"
- Structured versus Unstructured Work:63% responded"Some freedom"
Worker Requirements
Skills
- Reading Comprehension:Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
- Active Listening:Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Critical Thinking:Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
- Science:Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
- Speaking:Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Knowledge
- Physics:Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes.
- English Language:Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
- Geography:Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.
- Mathematics:Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
- Computers and Electronics:Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Education
How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation? Respondents said:
- 50%Bachelor's Degree
- 30%Master's Degree
- 15%Doctoral Degree
Worker Characteristics
Abilities
- Oral Comprehension:The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
- Oral Expression:The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
- Written Comprehension:The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
- Speech Clarity:The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
- Written Expression:The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
Interests
- Investigative:Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
- Realistic:Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Work Values
- Achievement:Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
- Independence:Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
- Relationships:Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Work Styles
- Analytical Thinking:Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
- Dependability:Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
- Attention to Detail:Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
- Stress Tolerance:Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
- Adaptability/Flexibility:Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
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