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Job Title:

Center ATC Weather Station Manager

Related Job Title:

Meteorologist, Weather Officer, Weather Forecaster, Meteorology Researcher, Meteorological Modeling Specialist

Job Description:

As a manager, the primary work deals with supervising the employees (other meteorologists) working in your area. This means dealing with people-related issues and performance evaluation. The meteorologists collect weather data, survey weather indicators and make predictions regarding developing weather patterns. They advise air traffic controllers on weather hazards such as thunderstorms, developing storm cells and fronts, turbulence, icing and other such weather-related phenomena. They issue to controllers weather advisories for aircraft. They use sophisticated computer software programs that assist them in modeling the potential flow and intensity of storm cells and fronts. They are also available to participate in weather-related research projects that seek to improve air traffic management in adverse weather conditions.

Areas of Expertise:

• Meteorology
  • severe storms
  • icing
  • turbulence
  • fronts
• Computer modeling software
• Human resources management

Interest and Abilities:

• Understands how to motivate people to work as a team.
• Understands how to motivate people toward self-improvement
• Knowledge of weather phenomena and their effects on flight
• Knowledge of US weather patterns
• Interpretation of weather data (numbers) into visualizations (computer models)

Suggested subjects to study in school:

• Algebra
• Trigonometry
• Physics
• Meteorology
• Statistics
• Computer modeling
• Psychology (to help deal with people)
• Interpersonal communication (to help deal with people)

Education and Training Needed:

• Bachelors of Science degree in Meteorology
• Masters of Science degree in Meteorology
• Experience in computer modeling techniques
• Management training courses

You might want to further explore this career by checking out the web sites given below.

What can I do right now?

• Get up your own weather station and provide your local radio station with a daily report.
• Get some work experience at the local airport, television or radio station as a weather data compiler or weather statistics researcher.
• Interview pilots about how different weather phenomena affect their aircraft's flight characteristics.
• Call the ATIS phone number and listen to the local airport's weather report.
• Learn to read and interpret the various types of weather maps, charts and data available through the internet.
• Learn how to use data base software.
• Attend a seminar about basic management skills.

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