Office of Marine and Aviation Operations National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Dec 22, 2015
Office of Marine and Aviation OperationsNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
About NOAANOAA’s mission is to understand and predict changes in Earth’s environment and conserve and manage coastal and marine resources to meet our Nation’s economic, social and environmental needs.
“NOAA is an agency that enriches life through science. Our reach goes from the surface of the sun to the depths of the ocean floor as we work to keep citizens informed of the changing environment around them.
From daily weather forecasts, severe storm warnings and climate monitoring to fisheries management, coastal restoration and supporting marine commerce, NOAA’s products and services support economic vitality and affect more than one-third of America’s gross domestic product. NOAA’s dedicated scientists use cutting-edge research and high-tech instrumentation to provide citizens, planners, emergency managers and other decision makers with reliable information they need when they need it.
NOAA's roots date back to 1807, when the Nation’s first scientific agency, the Survey of the Coast, was established. Since then, NOAA has evolved to meet the needs of a changing country. NOAA maintains a presence in every state and has emerged as an international leader on scientific and environmental matters.
NOAA’s mission touches the lives of every American and we are proud of our role in protecting life and property and conserving and protecting natural resources.”
-- Dr. Jane Lubchenco, Administrator of NOAA and Under Secretary of Commerce
About NOAA’s Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO) and Marine Operations Center
OMAO’s Mission is to safely and efficiently operate NOAA ships and aircraft, incorporate emerging data acquisition technologies, and provide a specialized professional team responsive to NOAA programs.
OMAO operates a wide variety of specialized aircraft and ships to complete NOAA's environmental and scientific missions. OMAO is also responsible for the administration and implementation of the NOAA Diving Program, Small Boat Program and Aviation Safety Program, to ensure safe and efficient operations in NOAA-sponsored underwater activities and aviation and small boat operations.
NOAA's ship fleet provides hydrographic survey, oceanographic and atmospheric research, and fisheries research vessels to support NOAA's strategic plan elements and mission. The vessels are located in various locations around the United States. The ships are managed by the Marine Operations Center.
NOAA's aircraft and ship fleet is operated and managed by a combination of NOAA Corps Officers, wage marine and civilian employees.
Ship Primary Missions Fisheries Research
Fisheries Stock Management Marine Mammal/Endangered Species Research
Nautical Charting Maintain and update nautical charting for the U.S. and its territories
Oceanographic & Atmospheric Research Global Research Coastal Environmental Monitoring and Research
NOAA's programs range from marine sanctuaries, environmental satellites, global climate change, and ocean exploration initiatives to climate, weather, and water services.
Ship home ports
Fishery Research Vessels
Henry B. Bigelow Delaware II
Oscar Dyson Miller Freeman
Fishery Research Vessels
Oregon II
Oscar Elton SettePisces
Hi’ialakai
Fishery Research Vessels
Gordon GunterBell Shimada
Nautical Charting Vessels
Fairweather
Ferdinand R. Hassler
(under construction)
Thomas Jefferson
Rainier
Oceanographic Research Vessels
Ronald H. Brown
Ka’imimoana
Environmental Assessment Vessels
Nancy Foster
McArthur II
Ocean Exploration Vessel
Okeanos Explorer
Advantages working aboard a NOAA vesselSafety is our top priority We are responsible for the largest fleet of research and
survey vessels operated by the Federal governmentWe provide job security, excellent pay and full benefits
as a government employeeWe offer exciting, socially and environmentally
worthwhile missionsOpportunity to enjoy various national and international
ports of callMilitary commissary and limited exchange privileges
are afforded to all active and retired wage marine employees and their dependents
E-mail/Satellite Communications
BenefitsCareer Advancement
Paid trainingPromotion potential
Government provided berthing and mealsLeave
Annual leaveShore leaveSick leave
Federal Employee Health BenefitsLife InsuranceThrift Savings PlanFederal Employees Retirement System
Wage Marine Minimum Requirements
United States CitizenMeet NOAA medical standards for shipboard
employmentPass Drug screeningAble to obtain and maintain security clearance
Certain positions require the U.S. Coast Guard’s Merchant Mariner Credential
Assignment informationCruises are 1 to 5 weeks at a timeShips are at sea an average of 215 days per
yearOpportunity to rotate ports and ships
Union StatusNOAA is supported by:
MMP – Deck LicensedMEBA – Engine LicensedSIU/NMU – Unlicensed Maritime Union
Union Membership is available but is not required asa government employee
Living Conditions
Quality Dining
Leisure Activities
Exercise roomBook and movie
libraryRecreational fishingCamping, hiking,
exploring when in portBarbeques and
cookouts on the fantail or on the beach
Things you can do when not on duty:
Positions Available and Descriptions of Work
by Department
Deck OfficersDeck officers represent the authority on board and are responsible for the economical and timely execution of the scientific missions, the safe operation of the ship,and the safety and well being of the crew and passengers. Occasionally, Mates are hired aboard NOAA vessels. NOAA Corps commissioned officers are normally assigned as Deck Officers.
Deck Officer Positions
Positions
Master
1st Officer
2nd Officer
3rd Officer
Applicants and employees must possess at a minimum, a valid U.S. Coast Guard license with an unlimited radar observer endorsement and GMDSS endorsements. The type of license varies with the gross tonnage of the vessel as well as the position.
One year of experience at the next lower level, or comparable experience, is required For Master, First Officer and Second Officer. No experience is required for Third Officer or Deck Midshipman. Experience for First Officer and Master aboard fisheries research vessel shall indicate a knowledge of commercial and research fishing practices. Experience for First Officer and Master aboard hydrographic survey and oceanographic research vessels shall indicate a knowledge of research or survey ship operations.
Deck DepartmentThe Deck Department is responsible for performing the following functions:
Maintaining ship exterior and interior spacesMaintaining and operating deck machinery and boats Mooring and anchoring the shipLoading, unloading and stowing supplies and equipmentStanding watches Performs mission-related activities, such as rigging, deployment, and retrieval of oceanographic and hydrographic systems including moorings, towed arrays, buoys, side-scan sonar sensors, CTD systems, nets, tows, and other sampling devices They may also build, rig, and maintain mission-related shore-side facilities such as electronic navigation towers, tide gauges, and visual stations
Deck Department PositionsRating Years of
Experience
Chief Boatswain 5
Boatswain Group Leader 3
Deck Utility an/Seaman Surveyor 2
Able Bodied Seaman 1
Ordinary Seaman/General Vessel Asst.
0
Experience includes such activities as small boat handling; ship maintenance/upkeep; line handling and warping during berthing and departing movement of vessels; and handling of deck equipment and supplies
AB endorsement (Unlimited/Limited/or Special) required for Able Seaman and above
Deck (Fisherman) DepartmentOn fisheries research vessels the Deck Department is also responsible for performing the following functions in addition to the duties described previously for the deck department:
Handling, deploying, and recovering a variety of standard and experimental fishing gear and associated scientific equipment; Constructing, assembling, maintaining, and repairing fishing gear; and Landing, disposition, and processing of the catch.
Deck (Fisherman)Department PositionsRating Years of
Experience
Chief Boatswain (Fisherman) 5
Lead Fisherman 3
Skilled Fisherman 2
Fisherman 1 (at least 6months experience must have been performing fishing activities)
Ordinary Fisherman 0
In addition to the experience described previously for the deck department, experience must include fishing gear handling, construction or assembly, and repair, including net mending, aboard either commercial fishing vessels or fishing research vessels.
AB endorsement (Unlimited/Limited/or Special) required for Fisherman and above
Engineering DepartmentThe Engineering Department is responsible for performing the following functions:
Operating all of the ship's engineering systems, such as propulsion, fuel, electric power, refrigeration, ventilation, air-conditioning, and sanitation Maintaining all engineering systems aboard ship and its boats; providing general engineering support for all departments and ship operations.Maintaining Shipboard Automated Maintenance Management (SAMM) preventive maintenance records.Maintaining inventories of equipment, tools, parts, and consumable supplies; Preparing fueling plan and conducting fueling operations in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and good marine practice.Complying with all applicable pollution abatement laws and regulations.
Engineering Department PositionsRating License/
Endorsement Requirement(s)
Years of Experience Needed
Chief Engineer Chief Engineer-Unlimited or Chief Engineer-Limited Oceans
1 Year as 1st Asst. Engineer
1st Asst. Engineer Chief Engineer -Limited Near Coastal, 1st or 2nd Assistant Engineer
1 Year as 2nd Asst. Engineer
2nd Asst. Engineer Assistant Engineer-Limited, 3rd Assistant Engineer, or Above
1 Year as 3rd Asst. Engineer
3rd Asst. Engineer 3rd Assistant Engineer or above
None
Junior Engineer Junior Engineer Endorsement
2Years as an Oiler or Above
Engine Utilityman Oiler Endorsement 1 Year as an Oiler or above
Oiler Oiler Endorsement 1 Year as Wiper or above
Wiper None None
All licenses must be endorsed for Motor Vessels Horsepower requirements may vary from ship to ship
Survey DepartmentThe Survey Department is responsible for performing the following functions:
Oceanographic, fishery and survey data acquisition and processing operationsTechnical assistance to program personnel Administering the safekeeping and transmittal of dataMaintaining oceanographic, fishery and survey instruments
Survey Department PositionsRating Years of
Experience
Chief Survey Technician 5
Senior Survey Technician 4
Survey Technician 3
Assistant Survey Technician
2
Junior Survey Technician 0
Experience includes such activities as operating and monitoring instruments, including annotating records and recording data; assisting in the staging and set-up during preparations for, and at the completion of oceanographic or fishery research; performing oceanographic or fisheries observations, measurements, and calculations; assisting in the preparations, installation, deployment and recovery of oceanographic or fishery research equipment and instruments; management of shipboard scientific computing systems; and processing oceanographic or fishery data.
Hydrographic Survey PositionsRating Years of
Experience
Hydrographic Chief Survey Technician 5
Hydrographic Senior Survey Technician 4
Hydrographic Survey Technician 3
Hydrographic Assistant Survey Technician
2
Hydrographic Junior Survey Technician 0
Experience includes such activities as operating and monitoring(fathometers, multibeam, singlebeam, or side-scan-sonar) instruments, including annotating records (fathometer, sound velocity or multibeam) and recording data using the above mentioned equipment; assisting in the staging and set-up during preparations for, and at the completion of oceanographic or survey operations (such as tide gauge, horizontal control or sound velocity); performing oceanographic and/or survey observations, measurements, and calculations (such as at tide gauges, horizontal control or sound velocity); assisting in the preparations, installation, deployment and recovery of oceanographic and/or survey equipment and instruments; processing oceanographic and/or survey data (from processing singlebeam, cleaning and filtering multibeam data, writing a Descriptive Report and creating field sheets using Geographic Information Systems).
Steward DepartmentThe Steward Department is responsible for performing the following functions:
Planning and preparing menus Ordering, preparing and serving foodMaintaining galleys, messes, storage areas, living areas, and other assigned interior spaces in an orderly and sanitary condition Providing clean linensMaintaining inventories of mess provisions and other supplies.
Steward Department PositionsRating Years of
Experience
Chief Steward 3 years of specialized experience *
Chief Cook 2 years of general
Second Cook 1 year of general
General experience includes such as serving food, cleaning galley messes, pantry, refrigerators, range ,and mess equipment
Specialized experience includes such activities as: general cooking and baking, food selection, preparation and serving (10 or more persons); dietetics; meal planning and scheduling; leading and training other employees in the preparation and serving of food; preparing required records and reports, etc.
*For the rating of Chief Steward, the experience must include planning menus, ordering andpurchasing food, inspecting and storing foodstuffs, maintaining inventories, preparing estimates for mess supplies, and the ability to supervise a group of employees.
Maintenance DepartmentThe Maintenance Department is responsible for performing the following functions:
Maintaining and repairing the ship’s engineering related electronic/mechanical systems to include generating and propulsion operational and monitoring systems; automated control, monitoring and indicating systems for ballast, fueling, fire and general alarm systems; dynamic positioning systems; steering systems; powered telephone systems; miscellaneous unattended alarm panels; and electronically controlled deck equipment such as winches and/or cranes; and other electronically controlled hydraulic systems.
Maintenance Department PositionRating Years of
Experience
Engineering Electronic Technician 1 year of specialized general
Experience should include the ability to perform maintenance, repair, and troubleshooting on complex engineering electronic and/or mechanical systems, such as Program Logic Controllers (PLC’s) and related wiring and electronics associated with diesel generators; automated switch boards and breakers; electric motor propulsion drives and transformers; dynamic positioning systems; steering systems; powered telephone systems; miscellaneous unattended alarm panels; and electronically controlled deck equipment such as winches and/or cranes; and other electronically controlled hydraulic systems.
Requires an entry-level endorsement(Wiper) on the U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner’s Credential. Endorsement as Electrician and/or Qualified Member of the Engine Department (QMED) of any unlicensed rating is preferred but not required.
For More InformationOn the Web: http://www.moc.noaa.gov/
– for more information about NOAA ships http://www.wfm.noaa.gov/vessel_employment/vesselemp_portal.html
– for information on license requirements and pay scheduleshttp://www.usajobs.gov/jobsearch/search/rssfeed/866648
- for NOAA job vacancies and to apply for a position
Telephone:(757) 441-3865
Email:[email protected]