Emergency management jobs available with the National Weather Service are positions that employees work directly with the general public and in other areas. If you ever heard an emergency broadcast go out over the radio or television during a storm, you have some idea about the services that the National Weather Service provides. The NWS keeps a close eye on the weather to determine what steps it needs to take to notify the public of potentially hazardous weather conditions.
Meteorologist
Meteorologists are the first line of defense between weather conditions and the general public. They are the ones responsible for tracking weather conditions all across the country and monitoring those conditions to look for potential problems. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, meteorologists make just over $89,000 a year. Those working for the NWS often make more than those who work for news organizations and local news stations make. During an emergency situation, meteorologists will also monitor the incoming hazards to predict when the situation will end.
Office Director
One of the most important emergency management jobs available with the National Weather Service is the position of office director. The NWS has smaller offices located all across the country, and it needs qualified workers to direct the employees working in those offices. Directors will maintain the office, follow the procedures and regulations of the NWS, hire new employees when needed, keep existing employees happy and stick to the budget given to them. During emergency situations, office directors must coordinate with other offices to have people standing by to cover the events as they unfold and to ensure that the public knows what might happen next and what to do next.
Scientists and Technicians
The NWS also has jobs available for scientists and technicians. Scientists work on special projects as needed and often arrive on the scene after an emergency to coordinate with volunteers and determine the likelihood of other events that might take place. Technicians are the ones implementing new ideas and concepts in the field. An emergency might take down a large tree near the building and knock out the electrical system or Internet to the building. NWS technicians need to find simple solutions to the problems that the NWS faces during a hurricane or another emergency.
IT Specialists
Emergency management jobs available with the National Weather Service also include positions as IT specialists. When an emergency occurs, the NWS must send out an alert to other offices and to news organizations around the country. Television and radio stations run special alerts that let residents know if there is a warning or a watch in their area, which helps them know whether they need to keep an eye on the situation or seek shelter right away. IT specialists are the ones who send out that warning and make sure that the alerts go to each organization or office on an internal list. They also maintain the information system of each office and watch for signs of viruses, hacking and other threats.
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The National Weather Service is one of the most important agencies in the country. Even if you don’t have a degree in meteorology or a science field, you can still find emergency management jobs available with the National Weather Service, including positions as technicians, office directors and IT specialists.