The Job Profile of Meteorological Technician

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Meteorological technicians collect much of the data that meteorologists use to construct weather models and make weather forecasts. Technicians work with meteorologists, geophysicists, air traffic controllers, and other atmospheric scientists to help forecast and observe atmospheric conditions. They are often involved in more than one task at one time, and use computers, weather balloons, and measuring instruments to collect, record, and interpret information. They read instruments that measure air pressure, temperature, wind speed and direction, precipitation, and other conditions.

Many meteorological technicians use their technical skills and knowledge of computers to transmit data to and from the National Weather Service, and supply information to other federal, state, and local agencies. Using Weather Service information, technicians are responsible for preparing and disseminating weather conditions to the public. They issue severe weather watches and warnings for flood, tornado, high wind, and hurricane conditions, and continually monitor weather conditions to report any sudden changes.

Technicians are responsible for plotting meteorological data on maps and charts, which atmospheric scientists use to study air pollution and predict climate trends. They also launch weather balloons carrying data-gathering instruments that they monitor from the ground with computers. Overall, meteorological technicians combine the principles of the atmospheric sciences with their broad technical knowledge to keep scientists and civilians informed about weather and other atmospheric conditions.



EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Meteorological technicians have completed either a Bachelor of Science degree in meteorology; a closely related degree, such as mathematics, physics, geophysics, engineering or geography; or they have received their training in the military. Some technicians attend a two-year college or technical institute but more advanced training is usually required.

Before enrolling in a school program or enlisting in the military, students should contact potential future employers to check the courses and hands-on experience that they require. In high school, students should acquire a strong background in mathematics and science. Courses in algebra, calculus, statistics, physics, chemistry, earth science, electronics, and computer science are very helpful.

Many employers prefer technicians with a military background because they have received many hours of practical hands-on experience. In addition, enlistees in the Air Force and Navy may train specifically in the atmospheric sciences at the Technical Training School at Chanute Air Force Base in Illinois. Courses at the training school include weather forecasting, climatology, computer processing of weather maps and charts, atmospheric instrumentation use, and weather station operation, among others.

SPECIAL CERTIFICATION

The American Meteorological Society (AMS) offers the Certified Consulting Meteorologist (CCM) certificate to all meteorologists and meteorological technicians, regardless of level of education. Candidates are certified only after meeting the following three requirements: knowledge, experience, and character. The experience criteria requires at least five years of work at the professional level and three letters of reference are necessary to prove character. In order to receive the CCM designation a written and oral examination must be passed and at least one report or professional publication must be presented and critiqued. Contact the AMS, listed at the end of this chapter, for further information.

Meteorological technicians work in a variety of situations and locations. Many technicians are employed at about 300 weather stations throughout the United States. The climate and population characteristics at and near these stations are as diverse as those for the United States as a whole. Some stations are in isolated places in cold, temperate, or humid climates, while others are in metropolitan areas from Anchorage to Miami. Generally, technicians spend a substantial amount of working time indoors monitoring atmospheric conditions from computer stations. Other times, they are outside collecting data or informing the public about weather conditions.

On many occasions, technicians work alone in small weather stations, but there are a number of positions where they work in large stations with many other people. The working hours tend to be regular 40-hour weeks, but most technicians work in stations that are operated 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They can work any daily shift and be required to work weekends. Occasional overtime is required in times of prolonged severe weather conditions.

EMPLOYMENT STATISTICS AND MAJOR EMPLOYERS

Several thousand meteorological technicians work in the United States. Employment growth is expected to be slower than the average for all occupations. Presently there are more trained meteorological technicians than there are positions available. The armed forces, which train the majority of meteorological technicians, is downsizing; this will add to an already bloated employment market in the short term. Employment opportunities are expected to pick up soon after the last wave of military personnel are released from service.

The federal government is the single largest employer of civilian meteorological technicians and most work for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOOA), in the National Weather Service, which runs about 300 weather stations throughout the country. Other federal agencies hiring meteorological technicians are the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of the Interior.

In private industry, meteorological technicians work for private weather consultants, such as Accuweather, WeatherData, and others. Some work for commercial television and radio stations and computer processing and data centers. Other are employed by commercial airlines and in air traffic control.

SALARY STATISTICS

Salaries depend heavily upon education, experience, and type of work performed. In the federal government, salaries are based on the General Schedule (GS). For entry-level technicians with a two-year degree, salaries range from $14,603 to $19,562 per year. Those with a bachelor's degree can expect starting salaries to range between $22,717 and $24,234 per year. Starting salaries in private industry are slightly higher.
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