Chief Meteorologist

• Jun 2022 - Present

Public Information Specialist

• Jul 2020 - Jul 2022

*Executive director / executive producer for COVID-19 Joint Task Force remote video press conferences from Shelby County EMA main MTAC operations theater *Digital Media Specialist: Webmaster for https://shelby.community/ Public daily content delivery creation and management regarding COVID-19 levels, testing and vaccine availability. *Redesign team lead planning of www.shelbytnhealth.com central information site. Data mining and research of social media reach; SEO & various stats, marketing and audience metrics. *March 2021 - Present : Shelby County Health Department liaison to & requested by Office of Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris, 160 N. Main, Memphis TN - Media consultant and advisor to mayoral staff regarding media and public outreach methods regarding COVID-19 public science perception, social media platforms and outreach design; assist and advise on community participation in word-of-mouth door-to-door vaccine awareness campaigns. Science Communication Expert: development and distribution of data in understandable layman terms via social media in graphic, audio and video design and planning & editing, podcast direction/production, social media presentation & platform performance consultant. Executive Messaging Consulting Specialist for all levels of departments expert presentation creation/development. Daily processing of COVID-19 information for dissemination to county government officials, healthcare agencies, assisting Shelby County Health Dept. PIO, press releases, updates and policy changes for media outlets. Show less

Substitute Teacher

• Aug 2018 - Jul 2022

Preferred Substitute at Bon Lin MS, Appling MS, Bartlett 9th Grade Academy Standing in for sick/vacationing teachers on-call for hire as needed on a per-diem basis. Required good interpersonal skills, crisis management as necessary. Good communications and time-management skills. Performing lesson plans as requested/directed by the absent teacher. Knowledge of Bartlett City Schools civil, emergency and educational procedures at various levels of school system as needed. Organizational and educational support to administer classroom practice/object lesson worksheets, pre-exam studies, occupational inquiries, practical everyday classroom operations and security/safety monitoring. Engaging students while teacher is absent for lesson plans of the day, test/exam preparation, general school day schedule-keeping, knowledge of facilities and overall BCS operational issues Show less

Digital Media Manager / Senior Meteorologist

• Nov 1997 - Jan 2020

Webmaster www.wreg.com. Social Media Management - Digital Information Creation/Distribution: All shifts/as necessary, assist any/all other departments with troubleshooting, suggestions, write/edit/post, software/hardware assistance, etc. Numerous software systems' familiarity over the years. Podcast producer, editor, director, researcher and presenter of science-related podcasts #WeatherOvertime for weekend public participation online weather forecast updates, #SkyBlog3 for upcoming astronomical events and “Your Environment” weekly updates of climate change, conservation, ecology, green energy, ESG/legislation and recycling efforts from local to worldwide, presented using WSI video recording, OBS studio software & Periscope software. *Consistent Top 5 Social Media Influencers in Memphis DMA via ShareRocket Audience Metrics, 2015-2020* Senior Meteorologist - all weekend newscasts. On call 24/7/365; Data analysis, weather forecast dissemination via radio, TV, internet. Graphics/Animation creation. AMS Station Scientist - Chief Curiosity Correspondent Project Director: Emergency Communications / Severe weather coverage improvement; Manager of station staff during severe weather / emergency broadcast situations especially overnights/weekends when senior management were unavailable / incommunicado. Expert in video/audio writing, editing, producing, directing, managing teams and information research, public communications, public speaking, corporate communications, corporate training, integrated management level communications, management-to-public and management-to-corporate information collection and dissemination. Creator of 2002’s 'Power to $ave' & 2003’s ‘Power 2 $ave!’ energy conservation awareness campaigns, ultimately responsible for raising $250,000+ revenue and diminishing energy waste in everyday station facilities usage Show less

Consulting Meteorologist

• Nov 1997 - Jan 2020

Available for providing updated forecast several times per week/weekends available per forecast for local (and distant) radio stations per subscription on Patreon. Available on a consultancy basis upon request. Examples available here: https://soundcloud.com/austen-onek-meteorologist Available for providing updated forecast several times per week/weekends available per forecast for local (and distant) radio stations per subscription on Patreon. Available on a consultancy basis upon request. Examples available here: https://soundcloud.com/austen-onek-meteorologist

Instructor / Scientific Advisor

• Jan 2008 - Jul 2019

Instructor & Advisor for science / science-related matters within the Pink Palace Educational system. Distance Learning / Remote Classroom Presentation program pre-implemenation research & development. Public Communication Specialist: Digital Development, Content Creation, working in cooperation with Museum media staff to increase awareness through social media Recipient/writer of National Weather Association 2009 Sol Hirsch Education Fund grant Creator/Developer of special event public adult programs: The Science of Wine and The Science of Beer Researcher/writer of educational programs for public presentation including Creator/Developer of 'WeatherWhys' Discovery Theater school group meteorological participation presentation. Researcher of local/state Dept. of Education GLE (Grade Level Expectation) used in various topical in-house educational programs, and for external Education Department mobile suitcase teacher check-out programs. Video/audio editing, pre/post-production, on-site set-up/aesthetics; print production and organization for teacher manuals, education department DOE standard guides Show less

Senior Meteorologist / Internet Reporter

• Jun 1994 - Oct 1997

Weekend meteorologist Manager pro tem during severe weather / emergency broadcast situations especially overnights/weekends when senior management were unavailable / incommunicado. Managing several junior/middle grade employees when long-term broadcast during emergency situations became necessary. Ability to thrive under pressure and collect information during various situations. https://www.5newsonline.com/article/weather/sundays-fury-kfsm-coverage-of-the-1996-fort-smith-van-buren-tornado/527-c756fed1-9954-4789-b9f2-b41270e008b8 Award winning coverage of April 21, 1996 F3 Tornado in Fort Smith / Sebastian County Arkansas Weekday internet reporter. Public affairs/public presentations on demand. Data collection and processing, daily. Participation and collaboration with promotion, sales, management and news on brand and message selection/construction. Scientific advisor to all departments Artist for graphic / animations in regards to public data presentation and explanation when it comes to science, news, emergency broadcast events, sales, promotions, data collection and dissemination. Science editor for weekend package of science/technology information segment on Sunday evening newscast airing before CBS Evening News. Numerous topics and interviews. Developer of weekend science segments involving remote satellite interviews with members of NASA, NASA JPL, MIT, NSSL, NOAA, University professors including University of Arkansas science and University of Oklahoma meteorology Editor/writer/presenter of KFSM's weekly GET WIRED! segments explaining internet terminology and trends to viewers on weekly phone-in segments Show less

Meteorologist / Environmental Reporter

• Jan 1991 - Jun 1994

Weekend meteorologist / weekday production staff member Weekend meteorologist: present and analyze data in regards to weather forecast for public presentation. Manager in charge / pro tem for severe weather situations on weekends and late nights. Public presentations to local school/church groups for weather forecasting science and public safety. Assigned environmental reporter in early 1993. Producer, editor, director, presenter of weekly Friday night "Your Environment" segment covering climate change, pollution reduction, recycling efforts, reducing waste/inefficiency, renewable energy, conservation of ecological resources, green energy structure integration, legislative policy. Collaborative efforts with management, sales, promotions, production internal and external for station promotion and information dissemination. Part of news team that increased visibility and raised ratings in the Topeka, Kansas DMA. Rookie of the Year, 1991 Special Participation Award from Station Management for developing graphics for, and floor directing during, Hills Pet Food wide area teleconference in late 1992. Co-awarded KS Advertising Award for behind-the-scene post production of Vista Family Restaurants Employee of the month, March 1993: Producer/editor/presenter/anchor "Your Environment" weekly segments. — Prepared regular forecasts for weekend evening newscasts. Severe weather broadcasts as necessary. Graphic artist for multiple departments. Organized graphics for presentations both in-house and via satellite for conference broadcasts. Reporter / producer / editor for weekly "Your Environment" segments, covering recycling, conservation, pollution control, alternative energy ideas, etc. Part-time production department employee: audio control, best boy, gaffer, set production, planning, floor director, teleprompter, assistant-director in training Show less

Meteorologist / On-Air Radio Host

• Jul 1990 - Sep 1992

News Department - Announcer/DJ on weekends; Host of SuperGold oldies request show, meteorologist-on-call (severe weather only) Production Department - commercial edit + distribution, voice work, satellite feed check; coordinate timed satellite broadcasts of syndicated radio programs Promotions Department - trainee, administrative duties, prize distribution, assistant for remote broadcasts Traffic Department - trainee, organization and processing, mail distribution Work with management and on-air staff to coordinate incoming information and events during Operation Desert Shield and subsequent Operation Desert Storm for listener’s benefit Show less