Career in Ecology and Meteorology

Introduction.

A. What kind of job would you prefer field-based survey work, for example collecting information about the numbers and distribution of species, or an office job (analysing and interpreting data, writing reports, etc.)?

B. Certain skills and abilities are important. Which of the following do you think you already have?

· enthusiasm for doing fieldwork in sometimes harsh conditions;

· competence in understanding and using statistics;

· the ability to use computer software for recording, analysing and presenting data and reports;

· research skills;

· excellent written communication and presentation skills;

· experience in report writing;

· confidence in using survey techniques;

· team-working and project-management skills;

· self-motivation, energy and drive.

 

2. Reading. Read the extracts from interviews with two professionals in meteorology and ecology.Who talks about the following, Naomi Benger, Dr Joe Chipperfield or both?

o predicting the future as part of the job

o using specialised software

o conservation of species variety as the main interest

o being interested in scientific methods

o warning clients about certain hazards

o consulting the media

o producing publications for a website

o skills that will make you competitive

Text A. Naomi Benger talks about her life on the job as a Meteorologist at the Bureau of Meteorology.

I work for the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) as part of the forecaster team in the Adelaide branch. We produce the official weather forecasts for South Australia.

I work two types of shift: public weather and aviation weather. Weather watching is a constant part of both shift types. On a public weather shift I work on producing and communicating the forecast. Producing the forecast involves developing the forecast policy for the following week. We examine a few different types of computer generated forecasts then use our local knowledge and experience to decide what we expect will happen. To communicate the forecast, I do radio interviews and consult TV weather presenters and general media (TV, newspapers). We use a specialised software to format the forecast for publication on our website.

During aviation shifts we forecast weather elements that could be hazardous to aircraft and those working in the aviation industry. We forecast cloud heights, wind, turbulence and storms, for example, amongst other elements. We produce larger forecasts, which cover the whole of SA and over some of the coast, and specific forecasts also for particular locations with aerodromes and airports within South Australia. These forecasts are for, at most, 30 hours in advance.

What is important for a career like mine? Aside from the academic abilities in science, good communication skills are very important. Producing the forecast is only one aspect of the job, we need the forecast to be communicated and understood.

Text B. Dr Joe Chipperfield is a Research Ecologist working in the Biogeography department at the University of Trier in Germany.

The main focus of my research is the development and application of new techniques to determine the ranges of species and predict what may happen to these ranges in the future.

I’ve always been interested in science and the scientific methods, but definitely I’ve always been interested in nature and conservation. I like being able to do something that helps biodiversity, but there’s also a pure scientist in me who enjoys answering questions.

My job is to create and design mathematical and statistical models which describe where species are, where they are going, and to assess the effect of different conservation strategies on species. The majority of my job is computer programming – I sometimes feel more like a computer scientist than an ecologist.

I do like it when I create a product which has an applied angle. It sounds very theoretical when I describe my job to people, but actually I’ve always got a focus on application. For example, one of my jobs has been to create optimal reserve networks and to assess how the current big European-wide networks help conservation.

Certainly there is a lot of daily routine. Much of my work is programming and much of programming is failure really. You try something and it doesn’t work, then you change it to make it work. I know lots of people who work in the laboratory who say the same about their work. You have to be flexible and look critically at where you went wrong and try again.

The key advice I give to my undergraduates is don’t underestimate the value of the quantitative methods in ecology. These are the mathematical or statistical sides of ecology; things where you apply mathematical concepts to data analysis.Only when you have these quantitative skills you can really turn it into a career. These skills are important: if you’re going down a more theoretical line, then mathematics is very important. If you’re going down a more field-based line then you’ll still have to have good statistics skills. You can’t get away from needing quantitative knowledge.

Grammar. Past Simple.

Naomi Benger: I _____ (grow up) in Whyalla and Aldinga (south of Adelaide) in South Australia. I _____ (study) Mathematics at Adelaide University. I _____ (do) an exchange year in Germany and then _____ (take) a break from study to work in Switzerland for 1.5 years. After completing my studies I _____ (decide) to go to Ireland to do a PhD. I _____ (work) in academic institutions in Ireland, France and Australia for a few years, and then I _____ (decide) to change my career and become a meteorologist. The training program to become a forecaster _____ (take) 10 months. But it _____ (was) important that I _____ (have) expertise in related topics, such as maths and physics.

 

4. Vocabulary. Make phrases.

determine	new techniques
predict	the effect of different conservation strategies on species
forecast	fieldwork
work	the weather
analyse and present	what may happen to these species in the future
develop and apply	the forecast policy
assess	as a research assistant
develop	the ranges of species
do	data

5. Vocabulary. Fill in the gaps. Use the -ing forms to translate the professional functions. Example: разработка новых методов – developing new methods.

In weather forecasting, common tasks include:

· _______ and _______ _______ (сбор и анализ данных) from satellite images, radar, remote sensors and weather stations all over the world;

· _______ and _______ _______ (измерение и оценка факторов) such as air pressure, temperature and humidity at various atmospheric levels;

· _______ and _______ _______  (анализ и предоставление информации) to customers in the form of weather briefings;

· _______ (применение) sophisticated computer models to make short and long-term forecasts;

· _______ and _______ _______ (коммуникация и обмен информацией) with colleagues from around the country and worldwide.

In research, work includes:

· _______ (исследование)  subjects such as airflow in the lowest kilometres of the atmosphere, the physics of clouds and precipitation, or global climate change;

· _______ and _______ _______ _______ (разработка и доработка (улучшение) компьютерных моделей) to predict atmospheric processes and improve the accuracy of forecasts;

· _______ and _______ _______ _______ (наблюдение и предсказание климатических изменений);

· _______ (исследование) changes in the stratosphere (10 to 50km above the Earth), including the ozone layer;

· _______ (оценка) the likely effects of global warming.

 

6. Vocabulary. Who would use the words and phrases below most often, a meteorologist or an ecologist (or both)? Divide the words into 3 groups.

Meteorologist	Ecologist	Both

  the ozone layer, conservation strategies, species, atmospheric processes, the accuracy of prediction, reserve networks, precipitation, global climate change, computer generated forecasts, air pressure, temperature, humidity, quantitative methods, biodiversity, weather patterns, satellite images, to provide up-to-date weather information, pollution, sustainability of ecosystems.

7. Grammar. Present Perfect. Talking about experience. Посмотрите на пример и сформулируйте правило: в каких случаях используется Present Perfect и в каких Past Simple.

- How many CVs have you reviewed? How many candidates have you interviewed?

- This is a difficult question! It is true that I have seen quite a number of applications since I started this job in 2007.

 

Ask and answer questions about the following. Use Present Perfect.

- do fieldwork

- write a CV

- have a job interview

- prepare an environmental survey report

- participate in a conference

- communicate with foreign colleagues in English

- develop or use any software for data analysis

How did you feel? Nervous, excited, interested, or confused by the difficulties?

 

8. Skills development. В объявлениях о приеме на работу найдите и запишите на русском языке информацию о вакансиях.

 

Название компании (организации), отрасль
Должность
Обязанности
Образование
Опыт
Личные качества

 

Vacancy 1. Broadcasting, Zolo Media, is looking for a M eteorologist to join our team to produce daily weather content. Our goal is to provide up-to-date weather information to Central Oregonians via KOHD, KBNZ and our broadcast, cable and online platforms. High Desert weather can include complex weather patterns, from wild fires and thunderstorms to snow and sunshine.

This person will need to know how to use the science to always lead the market in weather coverage. We are looking for someone who has the ability to incorporate the scientific weather information into entertaining weather stories. This person will report the weather in the studio as well as report from field locations and community events. This person will also be responsible for publishing weather information on our website.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in meteorology/atmospheric science.
• Field work experience preferred.

• Certified Broadcast Meteorologist from the American Meteorology Society preferred.
• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to meet deadlines.

Vacancy 2. City of Carrollton council. Water Resource Management Specialist.

SUMMARY: Responsible for developing, administering and evaluating water conservation education programs for residents, schools, businesses and community. Give presentations related to water conservation methods, techniques, and current status within the North Texas region and the City of Carrollton.

JOB FUNCTIONS:

· coordinate educational programs supporting, promoting waste recycling;

· give presentations regarding water conservation and waste reduction to various community and business groups;

· design and prepare press releases, media announcements, brochures, fliers, news articles, websites and other public awareness materials for environmental education programs;

· coordinate with local businesses on water conservation programs and practices;

· assist in developing and maintaining department budget;

· develop and maintain regional contacts and actively participate in regional water conservation activities and discussions.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

· knowledge of water conservation practices;

· knowledge of municipal services and operations;

· skills of preparing and giving written and oral presentations;

· skills in Microsoft Office including Word, PowerPoint and Excel;

· skilled in collecting and analyzing information and making recommendations based on findings and in support of organizational goals;

· skilled in communicating effectively with a variety of individuals;

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration, Environmental Science and 1 year of related experience; a valid Driver’s License.

WORKING CONDITIONS: in both standard office and outdoor environments, with potential exposure to adverse weather conditions.

 

9. Skills development. Подготовка к собеседованию. Preparing for an interview.Choose a vacancy from Ex. 8. Prepare to talk about the following.

· Your education.

· Your experience (relevant jobs, apprenticeship, volunteer work).

· Relevant skills.

· Why you might be interested in a job in this sphere (your attitudes, interests and ambitions). 

 

Проведение собеседования. В парах проведите собеседование.

Студент 1. Менеджер организации, проводящий собеседование и отбор кандидатов.

Студент 2. Кандидат.