Atmospheric and Space Scientists

19-2021.00

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.

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.
• Develop or use mathematical or computer models for weather forecasting.
• Prepare weather reports or maps for analysis, distribution, or use in weather broadcasts, using computer graphics.
• Interpret data, reports, maps, photographs, or charts to predict long- or short-range weather conditions, using computer models and knowledge of climate theory, physics, and mathematics.
• Formulate predictions by interpreting environmental data, such as meteorological, atmospheric, oceanic, paleoclimate, climate, or related information.
• Prepare forecasts or briefings to meet the needs of industry, business, government, or other groups.
• Analyze historical climate information, such as precipitation or temperature records, to help predict future weather or climate trends.
• Analyze climate data sets, using techniques such as geophysical fluid dynamics, data assimilation, or numerical modeling.
• Conduct numerical simulations of climate conditions to understand and predict global or regional weather patterns.
• Conduct meteorological research into the processes or determinants of atmospheric phenomena, weather, or climate.
• Consult with other offices, agencies, professionals, or researchers regarding the use and interpretation of climatological information for weather predictions and warnings.
• Prepare scientific atmospheric or climate reports, articles, or texts.
• Speak to the public to discuss weather topics or answer questions.
• Develop computer programs to collect meteorological data or to present meteorological information.
• Develop and deliver training on weather topics.
• Apply meteorological knowledge to issues such as global warming, pollution control, or ozone depletion.
• Perform managerial duties, such as creating work schedules, creating or implementing staff training, matching staff expertise to situations, or analyzing performance of offices.
• Design or develop new equipment or methods for meteorological data collection, remote sensing, or related applications.
• 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.
• Research the impact of industrial projects or pollution on climate, air quality, or weather phenomena.
• Collect air samples from planes or ships over land or sea to study atmospheric composition.
• Conduct wind assessment, integration, or validation studies.
• Teach college-level courses on topics such as atmospheric and space science, meteorology, or global climate change.
• Create visualizations to illustrate historical or future changes in the Earth's climate, using paleoclimate or climate geographic information systems (GIS) databases.
• Estimate or predict the effects of global warming over time for specific geographic regions.

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 🔥; 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 🔥
• Geographic information system - ESRI ArcInfo; ESRI ArcView
• Graphics or photo imaging software - AccuWeather Galileo; Adobe Photoshop 🔥; Advanced Visual Systems AVS/Express; Image editing software; Microsoft Paint
• Map creation software - ITT Visual Information Solutions ENVI
• Object or component oriented development software - C++ 🔥; Perl 🔥; Python 🔥; R 🔥
• Office suite software - Microsoft Office software 🔥
• Operating system software - Cisco IOS; Linux 🔥; Microsoft Windows 🔥; UNIX 🔥
• Presentation software - Microsoft PowerPoint 🔥
• Spreadsheet software - Microsoft Excel 🔥
• Video creation and editing software - Apple Final Cut Pro
• Web page creation and editing software - Facebook 🔥; Social media sites
• Word processing software - Microsoft Word 🔥; Word processing software

Occupational Requirements

Work Activities

• Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information - Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies - Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Scheduling Work and Activities - Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Performing General Physical Activities - Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
• Handling and Moving Objects - Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Controlling Machines and Processes - Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment - Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
• Working with Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment - Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment - Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment - Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Communicating with People Outside the Organization - Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Assisting and Caring for Others - Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Selling or Influencing Others - Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others - Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public - Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others - Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Developing and Building Teams - Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates - Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Coaching and Developing Others - Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Providing Consultation and Advice to Others - Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• Performing Administrative Activities - Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Staffing Organizational Units - Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources - Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Detailed Work Activities

• Provide technical information or assistance to public.
• Collect environmental data or samples.
• Develop theories or models of physical phenomena.
• Interpret research or operational data.
• Prepare scientific or technical reports or presentations.
• Conduct climatological research.
• Develop mathematical models of environmental conditions.
• Collaborate on research activities with scientists or technical specialists.
• Prepare research or technical reports on environmental issues.
• Communicate with the public on environmental issues.
• Provide educational information to the public.
• Test computer system operations to ensure proper functioning.
• Analyze design requirements for computer or electronics systems.
• Write computer programming code.
• Develop training materials.
• Present information to the public.
• Teach classes in area of specialization.
• Apply knowledge or research findings to address environmental problems.
• Develop environmental research methods.
• Measure environmental characteristics.
• Direct technical activities or operations.
• Research environmental impact of industrial or development activities.
• Instruct college students in physical or life sciences.
• Create images or other visual displays.