Climate Change Analyst Jobs and Green Career Profile

Posted on Dec 2, 2014 in Environmental Protection Jobs by Anh Speer, Ph.D. 0 Comments

Climate change analysts use research data and create models to predict what will happen to ocean and land temperatures in the near future. They educate the public about climate change and its impacts. Climate change analysts perform research and evaluate climate data to determine how changes in the climate will affect civilizations, natural resources, and animals such as the issue of rising sea levels in South Florida. They use this information to make recommendations to Congress about what governments and individuals can do to slow down the process and reduce the impacts of global warming and changes that affect farming and food distribution.

Understanding Climate Change Analyst Jobs

Climate change analysts’ general responsibility is to provide analytical backing for policy guidelines related to climate change, energy efficiency, or renewable energy. They analyze and extract climate-related findings from their research to notify regulatory agencies, policymakers, and other stakeholders. Climate change analysts prepare study reports, memos, briefs, testimonies, or other written materials to inform environmental groups and government on environmental issues related to climate change.

Climate change analysts make legislative suggestions related to environmental management or climate change, based on climate change principles, policies, practices, programs, and processes. They stimulate initiatives to mitigate climate change with environmental groups and government. Climate change analysts also research practices policies, and procedures for environmental or climate management.

Climate change analysts evaluate existing legislation or policies to identify environmental impacts of applications with state, local, and federal agencies to verify that projects are complying with all regulations. They submit papers and written reports to communicate their findings of climate-related studies. Climate change analysts attend and present climate-related information at governmental, public interest, and other meetings to increase public awareness on climate-related issues. They also gather and evaluate climate-related reports from research laboratories, government agencies, and other organizations.

With the going green movement and the increased needs in environmental protection, climate change analysts are required to prepare grant applications to obtain funding for programs related to environmental management, climate change, and sustainability. They participate in the development of and develop outreach and educational programs on climate change or the environment. Climate change analysts suggest modified and new policies involving the use of alternative and traditional fuels, and other factors relating to climate change and climate. They also present climate change research projects and defend proposals for those projects.

To perform their job, climate change analysts use a variety of tools and technologies. To perform their analyses, they use analytical or scientific software such as Community Climate System Model CCSM, Ferret Grid analysis and display system GrADS, and Unidata Integrated Data Viewer IDV. For software development, they use Formula translation/translator FORTRAN, Interface definition language IDL, NCAR Command Language NCL, Unidata Network common data form NetCDF. C++, Java, and Python. For research and data management, they use software such as North American Regional Climate Change Assessment Program NARCCAP data tables. For map creation, they use software such as ESRI ArcGIS software.

Climate Change Analysts Green Job Summary

Climate change analysts perform research and evaluate scientific data about the climate. They create models using research data to make forecasts about what will happen to the climate in the future. They also forecast the impacts of these changes on societies and natural environments.

Climate change analyst jobs have a bright outlook and will continue to growth. As we experience more and more impacts of climate change both economically and physically, it is necessary for climate change analysts to suggest policy changes and communicate their finding to the public, companies and lawmakers to take appropriate actions.

Climate change analysts jobs are expected a growth between 15% and 21% with 39,700 new jobs filled by 2022

Work Environment for Climate Change Analysts

Climate change analysts perform their work primarily in offices. They work mostly with computer and software, gather and analyze data, and write speeches and research papers. Most climate change analysts work a typical 40-hour workweek with regular business hours. Climate change analysts whose jobs also include a public education component or whose focus on policy may sometimes need to work evenings and weekends when they are organizing events or giving speeches related to climate change issues.

Climate Change Analysts Education, Training and Licensing

To enter a green job as a climate change analyst, it is necessary to hold a bachelor’s degree in environmental science or a related field. Climate change analysts who focus mainly on the climate change policies may start their job with just a bachelor’s degree. Most of positions require a graduate degree. Those climate change analysts who involve more heavily in the mathematical modeling and science aspects of climate change are required to have a master or Ph.D. degree.

Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for climate change analysts to acquire a job since they focus on the combination of science, math, public policy and economics. It is important for climate change analysts to go through some form of internships or informal training which working in a climate-related science lab.

Employment Figures, Projections, Outlook and Earnings

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicates a bright outlook for climate change analysts and expects employment of this field to growth between 15% and 21% from 2012 until 2022, faster than the average for all green jobs. The BLS projected 39,700 climate change analyst job openings between 2012 and 2022, and noted 90,000 jobs are currently filled. Titles include Principal Scientist; Research Associate, Policy; Scientist; Senior Advisor; Senior Advocate; Senior Associate, Climate and Energy Program; Senior Climate Advisor; Senior Policy Analyst; Senior Policy Associate; and Staff Climate Scientist. The BLS further reports that the median annual wage for salaried Climate change analysts was $65,090 in 2012 with median hourly wage of $31.29. Across the US job market, he lowest 10 percent earned less than $38,570, and the top 10 percent earned more than $109,970. Climate change analysts can receive the best compensation in District of Columbia, where they earn compensation, on average, of about $104,880. People in this job function are compensated at the highest average salary in Utilities, where they get average pay levels of $81,540.