National Ocean Service Careers

What’s it like to work at NOS? 

The National Ocean Service (NOS) provides data, tools, and services that support 

coastal economies and their contribution to the national economy. 

OUR MISSION: Provide science-based solutions through collaborative partnerships to 

address evolving economic, environmental, and social pressures on our Great Lakes, 

ocean, and coasts.

OUR VISION: The nation’s coastal and Great Lakes communities, ecosystems, and 

economies are thriving and resilient to current and future environmental threats.
What Careers Are Available?

NOS EMPLOYEE CAREER PATH EXAMPLES

NOS PROGRAM OFFICE TITLE POTENTIAL JOB DUTIES LOCATION EDUCATIONAL 

BACKGROUND

Center for 

Operational 

Oceanographic 

Products and 

Services

Engineering and 

Development 

Branch Chief

Actively manage water level, 

meteorological, and oceanographic 

stations as well as current water meters

Silver Spring, MD 

(and occasionally on 

a NOAA ship)

M.S. in Structural 

Engineering; 

BEng. in Civil Engineering

Oceanographer Calculate annual tide and current 

predictions for the U.S. to help mariners 

safely and efficiently navigate our waters

Silver Spring, MD B.S. in Interdisciplinary 

Studies and Atmospheric 

Science

Management and 

Budget Office/

Budget Execution

Division

Budget Analyst Manage the budget and spending for 

the NOS headquarters by working with 

leadership and stakeholders to identify 

priorities and execute funds

Silver Spring, MD B.S. in Accounting 

Management and 

Budget Office/

Communications 

and Education 

Division

Communications 

Specialist

Plan, coordinate, and implement strategic 

communications and outreach efforts 

to key internal and external audiences 

for NOAA Program Office, conveying 

the accomplishments and impact for all 

program activities

Silver Spring, MD B.A. in Government and 

Latin Studies

National Centers 

for Coastal Ocean 

Science

Research Ecologist Design and conduct cutting-edge 

research to understand how coastal 

wetlands respond and adapt to rising sea 

levels and other environmental stressors, 

such as storms, droughts, and nutrient 

pollution

Beaufort, NC Ph.D. in Oceanography; 

M.S. in Ecosystems 

Ecology; 

B.S. in Marine Biology

Environmental 

Scientist

Provide expert guidance and science 

products to coastal managers focusing on 

sustainable aquaculture

Charleston, SC M.S. in Environmental 

Science;

B.S. in Chemistry

National Geodetic 

Survey

Cartographer Analyze remote sensing data to contribute 

to map-making and to support NOAA’s 

Emergency Response aerial imagery 

program

Silver Spring, MD M.A. in Geography; 

B.S. in Geography

Geodesist Measure and model Earth’s changing 

gravity field to establish an accurate 

height system for the nation

Silver Spring, MD Ph.D. and M.S. in 

Aerospace Engineering 

Sciences; 

B.S. in Physics

Management and 

Program Analyst

Oversee budget planning; contribute to 

accurate performance measurement 

and milestone development; facilitate 

engaging meetings; and appropriately 

respond to inquiries from other agencies

Silver Spring, MD M.S. in Public Policy, 

B.S. in Electrical 

Engineering

Office for Coastal

Management

Coastal 

Management 

Specialist

Review annual grant awards and 

programs; approve performance measure 

submissions; and contribute to five-year 

management plan development

Oakland, CA M.A. in International 

Environmental Policy; B.S. 

in Environmental Science

National Coral Reef 

Monitoring Program 

Coordinator

Coordinate teams as they plan their 

projects, collect data, and share results 

with partners and the public

Silver Spring, MD Ph.D. in Marine Biology 

and Fisheries; 

B.S. in Marine and 

Atmospheric Sciences
Continued:

Office for Coastal Management

Senior Coastal 

Hazards Specialist

Serve as a trainer and product 

developer specializing in effective risk 

communication and state-of-the-art 

nature-based strategies

Charleston, SC B.S. in Geology

Senior Geospatial 

Analyst

Create accurate economic and 

demographic data for coastal management 

decisions and effectively communicate 

data through maps, applications, technical 

assistance, and training

Charleston, SC 

with frequent travel 

throughout the 

Pacific, Atlantic, and 

Caribbean Regions

M.S. in Environmental 

Studies; 

B.S. in Biology and 

Environmental Studies

Office of Coast

Survey

Navigation 

Response Team 

Surveyor

Effectively and efficiently operate and 

maintain a 34-foot survey vessel; a mobile 

integrated multibeam and side-scan 

sonar mobile integrated survey team 

(MIST) kit for missions involving vessels 

of opportunity in disaster areas; two 

autonomous surface survey vessels; and 

one autonomous underwater survey vessel

Hancock County, 

Mississippi

M.S. in Hydrography; 

B.S. in Marine Science

Physical Scientist Efficiently plan hydrographic (seafloor 

mapping) projects for NOAA ships and 

contract partners

Silver Spring, MD 

(and occasionally on 

a NOAA ship)

M.S. in Geology; 

B.A. in Geology

Physical Scientist Create accurate maps of the ocean floor, 

which will serve as the basis for updating 

nautical charts and which will be used by 

field parties collecting data

Seattle, Washington B.A. in Geography and 

Norwegian Language

Office of National

Marine Sanctuaries

Deputy 

Superintendent

Manage facility, vessel, and diving 

operations and coordination with fishery 

management agencies

Scituate, MA M.S. in Marine Science

Education 

Coordinator/IT

Support

Collaborate with NOAA partners to promote, 

develop, organize, execute, and evaluate 

ocean literacy and stewardship programs in 

schools throughout American Samoa

American Samoa B.Ed in Elementary 

Education, Special 

Education

Graphics/

Webmaster

Create innovative posters, flyers, signs, 

murals, displays, outreach materials; 

retouch and archive photos; develop exciting 

web pages; edit videos; program kiosks

Port Angeles, WA A.A. in Digital Design

Program 

Coordinator

Coordinate a marine science and 

conservation education program, the 

Multicultural Education for Resource Issues 

Threatening Oceans, which is tailored 

to raise awareness of ocean issues and 

motivate youth in traditionally underserved 

communities to pursue careers in marine 

science or resource protection

Oxnard, California M.S.in Marine Resource 

Protection; 

B.S. in Physical 

Oceanography

Research Specialist 

- Geographic 

Information 

Systems

Develop accurate maps, complete exciting 

research diving missions (as a part-time 

underwater photographer, videographer 

and film producer), and develop engaging 

websites

Monterey, CA M.S. in Marine Science; 

B.A. in marine biology
*The information above is based on current NOAA-NOS employee experience and does not supersede position requirements on USAJOBS.

Office of Response

and Restoration

Chemist Provide emergency chemical hazard 

assessments for the U.S. Coast Guard 

when there is an oil or chemical spill in 

the U.S. coastal zone or in large navigable 

waterways

Seattle, Washington M.S. in Inorganic 

Chemistry, 

B.S. in Chemistry

Environmental 

Scientist

Accurately assess damage from oil spills 

and hazardous waste sites by determining 

what animals and habitats have been 

affected by contaminant releases and 

what can be done to mitigate those effects

Seattle, Washington M.S. in Environmental 

Engineering; 

B.S. in Math

Marine Debris 

Hurricane Response 

Coordinator

Coordinate the dynamic long-term 

response activities for hurricanegenerated marine debris (Caribbean) 

by engaging partners and tracking the 

removal/disposal processes

San Juan, Puerto 

Rico

M.S. in Biological 

Oceanography; 

B.S. in Industrial 

Microbiology

Pacific Islands 

Regional 

Coordinator

Investigate and develop strategies to 

prevent and mitigate adverse impacts 

of marine debris in the Pacific Islands 

Region; facilitate information-sharing 

between the regional and the national 

marine debris community and the 

national-level Marine Debris Program

Hilo, Hawai'i M.S. in Tropical 

Conservation Biology and 

Environmental Science; 

B.A. in Marine Science

U.S. Integrated 

Ocean Observing 

System

Deputy Director Manage the office’s strategic planning and 

implementation, which includes budget 

execution and staffing, in coordination 

with regional and national partners

Silver Spring, MD Ph.D. in Marine Science

Environmental 

Compliance 

Coordinator

Ensure compliance with environmental 

regulation conducted under the National 

Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and 

federal environmental statutes; explain 

to the public environmental laws, 

environmental history, and the importance 

of understanding NEPA and other 

environmental federal/state laws that 

were established to preserve the natural 

environment.

Silver Spring, MD M.S. in Law with 

a specialty in 

Environmental Law; 

B.S. in Environmental 

Management

U.S. Animal 

Telemetry Network 

Coordinator

Oversee the Animal Telemetry Network 

program, including collaborating effectively 

with regional associations; efficiently 

managing program funds; collaborating 

and networking in the telemetry 

community; and managing the ATN Data 

Assembly Center, where different sources 

of telemetry data are aggregated and made 

available to the public

Silver Spring, MD 

(and occasionally on 

a NOAA ship)

M.S. in Ocean 

Engineering; 

B.S. in Electrical 

Engineering 
What advice do current NOS employees 

have for prospective employees?

Q: Do I need a science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) degree?

A: No! NOS has many positions in the communications, budget, administration, media, and 

education fields, not just STEM positions. 

Q: In addition to completing required coursework, what else can I do to prepare for my career 

while I’m in high school and college?

A: Research your high school and college course options. If you can take classes abroad and 

learn about how other countries approach coastal and ocean issues, take advantage of 

those opportunities.

Q:	 What other skills might be beneficial for my career toolbox?

A: Develop a marketable skill, such as scientific diving or computer mapping. But more 

importantly, develop your writing, speaking, and social skills, because these are what shape 

the prospective employer’s first impressions of you.

Q:	 What if I cannot find a job or internship in the field that most interests me?

A: Do not be afraid to stay in a position for a couple years that is outside your primary area of 

expertise. It could broaden your skill set and help build your network!

Check out these career profiles to learn more

about the various positions within NOS!

Check out these career profiles to learn more

about positions within NOAA!