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Atmospheric and Space Scientists Occupation Detailed Description

Atmospheric and Space Scientists career

General Job Description and Education/Training Levels for Atmospheric and Space Scientists

The main tasks and work activities of Atmospheric and Space Scientists are to provide technical information or assistance to public, collect environmental data or samples, prepare scientific or technical reports or presentations, measure environmental characteristics. In general, for the Atmospheric and Space Scientists, reading Comprehension, speaking, writing, active Listening and other 17 skills are required.
Atmospheric and Space Scientists Job Description
EducationMost of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Related ExperienceA considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Job TrainingEmployees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
ExampleMany of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include real estate brokers, sales managers, database administrators, graphic designers, chemists, art directors, and cost estimators.
The following chart shows the education/training levels for Atmospheric and Space Scientists jobs.
Less than a High School Diploma
0.00%
High School Diploma (or the equivalent)
0.00%
Post-Secondary Certificate
0.00%
Some College Courses
5.00%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
0.00%
Bachelor's Degree and Above
95.00%

Tasks and Work Activities of Atmospheric and Space Scientists

  • 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.
  • Collect air samples from planes or ships over land or sea to study atmospheric composition.
  • Conduct numerical simulations of climate conditions to understand and predict global or regional weather patterns.
  • Design or develop new equipment or methods for meteorological data collection, remote sensing, or related applications.
  • Analyze climate data sets, using techniques such as geophysical fluid dynamics, data assimilation, or numerical modeling.
  • Conduct wind assessment, integration, or validation studies.
  • 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.
  • Formulate predictions by interpreting environmental data, such as meteorological, atmospheric, oceanic, paleoclimate, climate, or related information.
  • Perform managerial duties, such as creating work schedules, creating or implementing staff training, matching staff expertise to situations, or analyzing performance of offices.
  • Consult with other offices, agencies, professionals, or researchers regarding the use and interpretation of climatological information for weather predictions and warnings.
  • Teach college-level courses on topics such as atmospheric and space science, meteorology, or global climate change.
  • Analyze historical climate information, such as precipitation or temperature records, to help predict future weather or climate trends.
  • Prepare weather reports or maps for analysis, distribution, or use in weather broadcasts, using computer graphics.
  • Apply meteorological knowledge to issues such as global warming, pollution control, or ozone depletion.
  • Develop or use mathematical or computer models for weather forecasting.
  • Interacting With ComputersUsing computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Getting InformationObserving, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Updating and Using Relevant KnowledgeKeeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  • Processing InformationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
  • Analyzing Data or InformationIdentifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
  • Interpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersTranslating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
  • Making Decisions and Solving ProblemsAnalyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesProviding information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and EventsIdentifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • Communicating with Persons Outside OrganizationCommunicating 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.
  • Provide technical information or assistance to public.
  • Collect environmental data or samples.
  • Prepare scientific or technical reports or presentations.
  • Measure environmental characteristics.
  • Direct technical activities or operations.
  • Develop mathematical models of environmental conditions.
  • Develop environmental research methods.
  • Conduct climatological research.
  • Create images or other visual displays.
  • Research environmental impact of industrial or development activities.
  • Collaborate on research activities with scientists or technical specialists.
  • Instruct college students in physical or life sciences.
  • Apply knowledge or research findings to address environmental problems.
  • Develop theories or models of physical phenomena.
  • Interpret research or operational data.
  • Prepare research or technical reports on environmental issues.
  • Provide educational information to the public.
  • Communicate with the public on environmental issues.
  • Analyze design requirements for computer or electronics systems.
  • Test computer system operations to ensure proper functioning.

Skills and Abilities for Atmospheric and Space Scientists

  • Reading ComprehensionUnderstanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
  • SpeakingTalking to others to convey information effectively.
  • WritingCommunicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
  • Active ListeningGiving 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 ThinkingUsing logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • ScienceUsing scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
  • Active LearningUnderstanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
  • Judgment and Decision MakingConsidering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • Complex Problem SolvingIdentifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
  • Systems AnalysisDetermining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
  • Social PerceptivenessBeing aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
  • Learning StrategiesSelecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
  • Service OrientationActively looking for ways to help people.
  • InstructingTeaching others how to do something.
  • CoordinationAdjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  • MonitoringMonitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • Time ManagementManaging one's own time and the time of others.
  • MathematicsUsing mathematics to solve problems.
  • NegotiationBringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
  • PersuasionPersuading others to change their minds or behavior.
  • Oral ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Written ComprehensionThe ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  • Oral ComprehensionThe ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Written ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
  • Speech ClarityThe ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
  • Near VisionThe ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Inductive ReasoningThe ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
  • Deductive ReasoningThe ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Speech RecognitionThe ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
  • Problem SensitivityThe ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
  • Information OrderingThe ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
  • Flexibility of ClosureThe ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
  • Category FlexibilityThe ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
  • Fluency of IdeasThe ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
  • Mathematical ReasoningThe ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
  • Selective AttentionThe ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
  • Number FacilityThe ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
  • Far VisionThe ability to see details at a distance.
  • OriginalityThe ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
  • Air samplers or collectorse.g. Air quality samplers
  • Temperature or humidity surface observing apparatuse.g. Air temperature thermometers
  • Anemometerse.g. Analog anemometers
  • Desktop computerse.g. Desktop computers
  • Anemometerse.g. Digital anemometers
  • Radarbased surveillance systemse.g. Doppler radar equipment
  • Tablet computerse.g. Graphic tablets
  • Hygrometerse.g. Hygrometers
  • Notebook computerse.g. Laptop computers
  • Lightmeterse.g. Light meters
  • Barometerse.g. Mercury barometers
  • Radarbased surveillance systemse.g. Next Generation Weather Radar NEXRAD
  • Personal computerse.g. Personal computers
  • Psychrometerse.g. Psychrometers
  • Radiosonde apparatuse.g. Radiosonde launchers
  • Rainfall recorderse.g. Rain gauges
  • Temperature or humidity surface observing apparatuse.g. Relative humidity gauges
  • Temperature transmitterse.g. Soil temperature probes
  • Solar radiation surface observing apparatuse.g. Solarimeters
  • Light trucks or sport utility vehiclese.g. Storm chase vehicles
  • PhysicsKnowledge 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 LanguageKnowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • MathematicsKnowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  • GeographyKnowledge 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.
  • Computers and ElectronicsKnowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
  • Communications and MediaKnowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
  • Engineering and TechnologyKnowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
  • Education and TrainingKnowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
  • ChemistryKnowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
  • Customer and Personal ServiceKnowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
  • Public Safety and SecurityKnowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.