Join the Meteorological Service of Canada

Ever wonder what it takes to become a Meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada? Learn about who we are, the qualifications you need, and the process of applying to join our team.

Who we are

The Meteorological Service of Canada (MSC) is Canada’s authoritative source for severe weather alerts as well as water, ice and climate data.

MSC’s meteorologists are highly trained atmospheric scientists who monitor and forecast the weather. We work in teams across the country at operational prediction centres as well as in research and development roles in major centres.

Responsibilities

• Produce weather forecasts
• Issue weather warnings
• Communicate important and timely weather information to the public and industry
• Develop forecasting and weather monitoring tools
• Advance the field of atmospheric science through research

Our people

• Isabel Richardson, Operational Meteorologist: “I’ve turned my curiosity about weather into a career that will fulfil me for years to come.”
• Francis Wu, Senior Program Meteorologist: “As a Meteorologist, I believe the work done by my wonderful colleagues and myself affects positive change within our organization, and possibly around the world.”
• Dov Bensimon, Operational Meteorologist: “The best part of my job is the feeling of contributing to an important cause and providing real-time information that contributes to the safety of others.”

What we offer

Life as a meteorologist offers a challenging and highly engaging environment. We provide weather forecasts and other meteorological and hydrological services to Canadians 365 days a year. In times of severe weather, like hurricanes or flooding, our meteorologists and hydrologists work around the clock to monitor and predict hazards and work closely with provincial and territorial partners, helping to promote preparedness and resiliency.

Check below to learn more about what we can offer you!

Compensation rewards, benefits and competitive earning programs, wages

As an entry level meteorologist with no prior experience in operational forecasting, you will earn an MT-01 annual salary ($54,240 to $70,972). Meteorologists typically progress through the training program in three years to the MT-03 level ($86,007 to $109,281).

Rates of pay for meteorologists in the public service

Retirement plan

We offer a defined benefit payment pension plan. The government has entered into several agreements to transfer pension contributions from a number of Canadian employers.

If your former employer is among them, you will have the option to transfer the pension you have accumulated with your previous employer over to the public service pension plan.

Paid leave

• Annual leave: depending on your prior experience with the government, you will be eligible for between 3 or 4 weeks of annual leave upon entering the Public Service and accumulate annual leave credits based on years of service to a maximum of 6 weeks.
• Sick leave: 9.375 hours are accumulated for every month of service.
• Other paid leaves: indeterminate and term employees are also entitled to family-related leave as well as maternal or paternal-related leave.

For more details on the types of paid and unpaid leave, please look up the collective agreement for your professional group or Appendix C of the Directive on Terms and Conditions of Employment for Executives.

Other benefits

We offer competitive benefits such as:

• life insurance
• disability insurance
• dental care plan for employees and families

Travel and relocation of civil servants

Under certain conditions, we offer logistical and financial support to employees who have to travel or relocate as a requirement of their work.

Training and career development opportunities

Environment and Climate Change Canada places a high priority on advancement, professional development and continuing education. Employees are encouraged to develop their abilities and acquire new skills to achieve their full potential.

• Learning and training: we have a wide array of learning, training and development options, including taking a formal education program with reimbursement of eligible fees.
• Training and career development: we promote the development and implementation of training programs enabling employees to progress professionally and personally.

Bilingualism

Bilingualism is a fundamental value in Canada and within the federal public service. Environment and Climate Change Canada provides support, tools and action plans that foster a work environment encouraging the use of both English and French.

What you need to apply

All meteorologists at the Meteorological Service of Canada (MSC) have a background in atmospheric science. This knowledge is the basis for the conceptual models meteorologists use to describe and predict the movement and evolution of weather patterns.

Educational qualifications

Candidates must meet at least one of the following educational qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with acceptable specialization in meteorology
• Bachelor’s degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with acceptable specialization in mathematics and a degree or certificate in meteorology
• Bachelor’s degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with acceptable specialization in sciences and a degree or certificate in meteorology

The following courses are required as part of the above programs of study:

• minimum of 10 (total) academic term courses in physics and mathematics
• a course focused on dynamic meteorology
• a course focused on thermodynamic meteorology
• a course focused on synoptic meteorology
• three other meteorology related courses

Dalhousie University, Université du Québec à Montréal [in French only], McGill University, York University, the University of Manitoba, and the University of British Columbia offer course catalogs and atmospheric science/meteorology programs that allow a student to meet the above requirements.  

For questions about careers in meteorology, please contact us at RecMT01@ec.gc.ca.

Shift work

All operational meteorologists in Canada work in shifts on days, nights, weekends and holidays. Many people regard this type of schedule as a benefit. Operational meteorologists typically work 8 to 12-hour shifts in a prediction centre. These shifts mean working fewer days overall each week and lead to longer stretches of days off in between cycles.

Once a meteorologist has reached the MT-03 level after a few years, other career opportunities are available that no longer require shift work.

Mobility

To meet our operational and organizational needs, MSC reserves the right to move a meteorologist to another one of our prediction centres within the country.

Mobility is a condition of employment for meteorologists early in their careers. The mobility clause applies to all MT-01s and MT-02s as well as for the first 3 years as an MT-03.

Application and training

Application process

There is currently a high need for new Operational Meteorologists at Environment and Climate Change Canada. If you are in your final year of studies, we encourage you to begin preparing your application as soon as possible.

The application process takes approximately 8 months to complete. We begin accepting applications early in the year.

Once you apply, you will be invited to complete a written assessment and an interview in late winter or early spring.

These are designed to assess your competencies as well as your knowledge of the theories and applications of meteorology gained through your university studies.

Successful applicants will be chosen and notified in the summer. Classes begin each fall.

Training and development

New meteorologists without prior operational experience are hired under the Meteorologist Occupational Training Program (MOTP) and paid at the MT-01 level. The length of the initial classroom training is between 7 and 8 months and is delivered in-person in either Edmonton or Montreal.

The program is delivered through a mix of classroom learning and on-the-job training in a prediction centre until students become certified Operational Meteorologists at the MT-03 level. 

Students will learn how to apply the knowledge and theory gained in their university studies toward producing a weather forecast. Skills are assessed through written exams, simulators and performance grids.

Topics of study include:

• analysis of weather observations, including radar and satellite imagery
• diagnosis of weather patterns and systems
• prognosis utilizing short and long-range techniques
• understanding the Canadian weather models and incorporating numerical weather prediction tools into a forecast
• forecast production
• risk communication for clients and media

Following successful completion of classroom studies, interns are deployed to a prediction centre in Canada to continue hands-on training under the mentorship and supervision of an experienced meteorologist.

Promotion to MT-03 as an Operational Meteorologist and completion of the probationary period is based on performance. This is typically achieved within 2 years.

Figure 1: Operational Meteorologist Employment Trajectory

The career pathway of an operational meteorologist from entry level 1 to level 3.

Apply now!