In this article, we’ll look at the best practices for onboarding your new Weatherman. We’ll look at the employee onboarding process/steps you can add to your own reusable Weatherman checklist.
Need help with onboarding new Meteorology team members? See the templates and resources we recommend for successful onboarding experiences.
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Are you looking for help setting up a staff orientation process so that when your new Weatherman starts their role, they can learn about their responsibilities and your company as quickly as possible? Whether you’re keen to use buddy onboarding, want to automate your Meteorology onboarding experience or just need an onboarding checklist for your new Weatherman, you’re in the right place. We’ve put together a sample Weatherman onboarding checklist below and have created onboarding templates & resources to help.
1. Orientation: The new weatherman attends an orientation session to familiarize themselves with the company’s mission, values, and organizational structure. This task is typically performed by the HR department or a designated onboarding specialist.
2. Introduction to Weather Forecasting Systems: The weatherman receives training on the specific weather forecasting systems used by the company. This includes learning how to interpret data, use modeling software, and access relevant meteorological databases. The task is usually performed by a senior meteorologist or a designated trainer.
3. Familiarization with Weather Instruments: The new weatherman is introduced to the various weather instruments used in meteorology, such as barometers, anemometers, and rain gauges. They learn how to calibrate and operate these instruments accurately. This task is typically performed by a senior meteorologist or a designated trainer.
4. Understanding Weather Patterns: The weatherman undergoes training to enhance their understanding of weather patterns, including the formation of clouds, atmospheric pressure systems, and the impact of various weather phenomena. This training is usually conducted by experienced meteorologists or subject matter experts.
5. Learning Weather Terminology: The new weatherman familiarizes themselves with the specific terminology used in meteorology, including terms related to atmospheric conditions, weather phenomena, and forecasting techniques. This task can be performed through self-study or with the guidance of senior meteorologists.
6. Shadowing Experienced Meteorologists: The new weatherman shadows experienced meteorologists to observe their forecasting techniques, data analysis methods, and communication skills. This allows them to learn from seasoned professionals and gain practical insights into the job. This task is performed by senior meteorologists or designated mentors.
7. Practicing Weather Forecasting: The weatherman is given opportunities to practice weather forecasting under the guidance of experienced meteorologists. They analyze real-time data, interpret weather models, and make predictions to develop their forecasting skills. This task is typically performed with the support of senior meteorologists or designated trainers.
8. Understanding Emergency Weather Procedures: The new weatherman learns about the company’s emergency weather procedures, including protocols for severe weather warnings, evacuation plans, and communication channels during weather-related emergencies. This task is usually performed by the HR department or a designated safety officer.
9. Collaborating with Other Departments: The weatherman collaborates with other departments within the company, such as news production, marketing, or event planning, to ensure accurate and timely weather information is provided. This collaboration involves effective communication and coordination with relevant stakeholders. The task is performed in collaboration with department heads or designated team leaders.
10. Continuous Professional Development: The weatherman engages in ongoing professional development activities, such as attending conferences, workshops, or webinars, to stay updated with the latest advancements in meteorology and weather forecasting techniques. This task is typically self-driven, but the company may provide support and resources for professional development.
11. Building Relationships with External Stakeholders: The weatherman establishes and maintains relationships with external stakeholders, such as local government officials, emergency management agencies, or media outlets. This ensures effective communication and collaboration during weather-related events. The task is performed by the weatherman in coordination with the company’s public relations or communications team.
12. Reviewing Company Policies and Procedures: The new weatherman familiarizes themselves with the company’s policies and procedures, including those related to data privacy, ethical guidelines, and professional conduct. This task is typically performed through self-study or with the guidance of the HR department.
13. Participating in Team Meetings: The weatherman actively participates in team meetings to discuss weather forecasts, share insights, and collaborate on projects. This task helps foster teamwork and ensures effective communication within the meteorology department. The task is performed in collaboration with the team leader or department head.
14. Conducting Weather Presentations: The weatherman prepares and delivers weather presentations to internal or external audiences, such as company staff, clients, or the general public. This task involves effective communication skills and the ability to present complex weather information in a clear and understandable manner. The task is performed by the weatherman with support from the communications or marketing team.
15. Adhering to Safety Protocols: The new weatherman undergoes training on safety protocols specific to meteorology, such as lightning safety, storm chasing guidelines, or hazardous weather conditions. This task is typically performed by the company’s safety officer or designated trainers.
16. Reviewing Data Quality Assurance Procedures: The weatherman learns about the company’s data quality assurance procedures, including data validation, verification, and quality control techniques. This ensures the accuracy and reliability of weather data used for forecasting. The task is performed with the guidance of senior meteorologists or designated trainers.
17. Understanding Broadcasting Equipment: If the weatherman is involved in broadcasting weather reports, they receive training on the operation and maintenance of broadcasting equipment, such as green screens, teleprompters, and graphics software. This task is typically performed by the broadcasting team or designated trainers.
18. Developing a Personal Forecasting Style: The weatherman is encouraged to develop their own forecasting style while adhering to the company’s standards and guidelines. This task involves finding a balance between scientific accuracy and effective communication to engage the audience. The task is performed with the guidance of senior meteorologists or designated mentors.
19. Participating in Performance Reviews: The weatherman participates in regular performance reviews to receive feedback on their forecasting skills, communication abilities, and overall job performance. This task is typically performed by the department head or a designated supervisor.
20. Contributing to Research and Development: The weatherman may have the opportunity to contribute to research and development projects within the company, such as improving forecasting models, developing new weather monitoring techniques, or exploring innovative approaches to weather communication. This task is performed in collaboration with the research and development team or designated project leaders
From reading through the items in the example Weatherman checklist above, you’ll now have an idea of how you can apply best practices to getting your new Weatherman up to speed and working well in your Meteorology team. Scroll up to see the link to our onboarding templates & resources or get in touch to discuss getting help setting up your systems and processes in this area.
