Jobs

Members of the meteorological services technician community include observers, data acquisition specialists, inspectors, regional trainers, quality assurance and standards specialists, and ice analysts and ice services specialists. See the pages for research technicians, hydrometric technologists and electronics technologists for examples of other technical jobs.

Observers

Environment Canada has contracted out most of the real-time observing programs; however, there is still a small core of positions requiring skills in both surface and aerological observing. Surface weather observing is a program of hourly and on-demand observations of the atmosphere, sky condition, present weather, temperature, wind, pressure and humidity, that is the backbone of the weather reporting and forecasting program. Aerological observing is the twice-daily sounding of the atmosphere by a balloon-borne instrument package at thirty-two Canadian stations that provides a comprehensive snapshot of the temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction, and pressure altitude data for use in the production of forecasts.

Meteorological inspectors

visit each station to inspect equipment and procedures in order to ensure the production of high quality data. Inspectors are involved in the siting, installation, maintenance and calibration of a variety of complex data acquisition equipment and instruments used in atmospheric monitoring, recording and reporting. They do on-site evaluation of observers and observing programs to ensure that the observations are representative and meet the high quality standards of the department.

Data acquisition specialists

are meteorological inspectors trained and qualified in electronics who provide the inspection, installation, maintenance and calibration of advanced and highly specialized automated weather stations.

Regional trainers

develop training material and provide training to the contract weather observers in the regions. They also provide a resource for the review and update of standards and observing practices and procedures.

Life cycle managers, standards technicians and quality assurance specialists

review, develop and enforce standards for meteorological equipment. They review maintenance documentation to develop operational life cycle strategies. They also write technical documentation in the form of technical manuals, information bulletins and modification instructions. Technicians coordinate equipment overhauls and retrofits with staff across the country and with other government departments, determine equipment sparing requirements and manage the acquisition of major pieces of equipment for national projects.

Technicians may be involved in contracting some installation work to local trades, for example, electrical supply and distribution, trenching, grading, landscaping and basic construction. This may include procurement or repair contracts with instrument manufacturers or utility companies.

Many technical staff become recognized as technical experts and interact directly with other technical and professional experts, managers, and other clients. They may be involved in equipment design and development. Many of them move on to manage a large number of operational programs at the supervisory and middle management levels. Communication, marketing and client relations skills are a requirement.

Ice Analysts

Ice Analysts compile, organize, review and analyze sea ice, meteorological and oceanographic data to prepare ice information products for clients or for further integration and processing by an Ice Forecaster. They also operate communications systems to receive and disseminate present ice condition data and ice forecasts to various Canadian Ice Service clients. Ice Analysts occasionally work in the field, either aboard ships or at Canadian Coast Guard Ice Operations offices which are located in Iqaluit, St John's, Dartmouth and Quebec City.

Ice Service Specialists

Ice Service Specialists provide an actual field presence of Canadian Ice Service personnel in the clients' marine community. Operationally they collect ice and meteorological data for the Canadian Ice Service Analysis and Forecast Centre. They provide and interpret a wide variety of ice and meteorological information products available to the clients from the Ice Centre.

Educational Qualifications

Basic educational requirements are high school graduation, although preference is given to technical institute or university graduation in a relevant specialty.

Inspectors require a good grounding in electronics.

Data acquisition specialists require a minimum of one year of electronics technician training, in addition to the in-house training provided to inspectors.

In-house training includes training in surface observing and aerology, followed by on-the-job training and coaching at an observing site, basic meteorology theory, a 3-week Inspectors' Workshop, safety and health training, and basic electronics troubleshooting and repair training, and equipment and system-specific maintenance courses.

Ice Analysts require a background in operational meteorology services. A twelve-week formal course is provided followed by significant on-the-job-training.

Ice Service Specialists require a background in meteorology and/or marine navigation. A twelve-week formal course is provided followed by 2 years of on-the-job-training.

Other Career Options

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