you may access the Department of Commerce Opportunities On-Line (COOL).
YOU MUST BE A U.S. CITIZEN TO APPLY
Aerial view of the Marine Operations Center - Atlantic.
For more information, click here.
For information on the Marine Operations Center - Pacific, click here.
Civilian career opportunities on board the research vessels include
Engineering Department,
Deck and Deck/Fishing,
Survey and Steward
Department positions.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CLICK ON THE DEPARTMENT THAT INTERESTS YOU
FOR INFORMATION ON OPPORTUNITIES IN THE NOAA COMMISSIONED CORPS, click here.
ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
DESCRIPTION OF WORK:The 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 in the ship and its boats; providing general engineering support for all departments and ship operations; maintaining inventories of equipment, tools, parts, and consumable supplies; and preparing fueling plan and conducting fueling operations in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and good marine practice.
LICENSE AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT - LICENSED PERSONNEL
| RATING
|
QUALIFYING LICENSE
(Must have appropriate HP) |
YRS. EXP. |
| Chief Engineer | CH/E - UNL | 1 as 1st AE |
| CH/E - LTD Oceans* | ||
| 1st Asst. Engineer | Those qualifying for CE and: | 1 as 2nd AE |
| 1 AE - UNL | ||
| 2 AE - UNL | ||
| 3 AE - UNL | ||
| CH/E - LTD N.C.** | ||
| AE - LTD** | ||
| 2nd Asst. Engineer | Those qualifying for 1AE and: | 1 as 3rd AE |
| CH/E - LTD N.C. * | ||
| AE - LTD * | ||
| 3rd Asst. Engineer | Those qualifying for 2AE and: | none |
| DDE - UNL HP* |
* Tonnage limitations will not be disqualifying.
** These licenses do not qualify for positions on Class I vessels.
NOTES ON LICENSES:
For 2nd Assistant Engineer and above, must have experience standing
watches as engineer in charge, directing the activities of assigned engineering
watch personnel and performing engineering systems maintenance and repair
work.
For 3rd Assistant Engineer, license of appropriate horsepower
is sufficient to meet qualifications.
Licenses for uninspected fishing vessels and mobile offshore drilling
units (MODUS) will not be qualifying for NOAA.
| **RONALD H. BROWN | DIESEL ELECTRIC | 6000 HP | CLASS IA |
| ***GORDON GUNTER | DIESEL ELECTRIC | 1600 HP | CLASS III |
| ****WHITING | DIESEL | 1600 HP | CLASS III |
| ***OREGON II | DIESEL | 1800 HP | CLASS III |
| *ALBATROSS | DIESEL | 1130 HP | CLASS III |
| *DELAWARE II | DIESEL | 1000 HP | CLASS IV |
| ****RUDE | DIESEL | 800 HP | CLASS V |
| ** FERREL | DIESEL | 750 HP | CLASS IV |
*Homeport: WOODS HOLE, MA
**Homeport: CHARLESTON, SC
***Homeport: PASCAGOULA, MS
****Homeport: NORFOLK, VA
ENDORSEMENT AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
UNLICENSED PERSONNEL
| RATING | ENDORSEMENT | YEARS EXPERIENCE |
| Junior Engineer | JE or above | 2 |
| Oiler | Oiler or above | 1 |
| Wiper | None | 0 |
The following are unlicensed ratings not in the normal line of promotion:
| RATING | ENDORSEMENT | YEARS EXPERIENCE |
| Fireman | None | 6 months as wiper or above |
| Engine Utilityman | Oiler or above | 6 months as oiler |
"QMED-Any Rating" endorsement is minimally qualifying for all unlicensed engine room ratings; however, years of experience requirements must still be met.
Oiler, Fireman: Experience may have been acquired in the performance of recognized trades which include duties aboard ship or in the trades associated with operation of heavy propulsion machinery or stationary engines such as locomotive, power plant, steam generators, etc. Must possess a valid USCG endorsement for Oiler.
Engine Utilityman: Experience must show knowledge of small engines and/or general mechanical ability. Must possess a valid USCG endorsement for Oiler, and six months experience as an Oiler.
Junior Engineer: Experience must indicate a good understanding of auxiliary equipment operation and repair. Experience does not necessarily have to have been gained aboard ship but should show competence in those types of equipment with which he/she will normally work aboard ship. Must possess a valid USCG endorsement for Junior Engineer, and one year as an oiler and/or engine utilityman.
QUALITY OF EXPERIENCE
One year of the required years of experience must have been at the next lower rating aboard a NOAA vessel or other comparable position, except for the Fireman and Engine Utilityman ratings, which is 6 months.
SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE
Successful completion of a senior high school with 4 half-year courses in mathematics, physics, mechanical drawing or drafting, general science, shop mathematics, machine shop, auto mechanics, or other related courses may be substituted for six months experience.
Successful completion of full time study in related subjects at a vocational school above the high school level may be substituted on the basis of one month for each month of experience for a maximum of one year.
DECK DEPARTMENT
DESCRIPTION OF WORK: The Deck Department is responsible for performing the following functions: maintaining ship exterior and interior spaces; maintaining and operating deck machinery and boats; mooring and anchoring the ship; loading; unloading; and stowing supplies and equipment; and standing watches. The Deck Department 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.
EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS - DECK
| Rating | Years of Experience |
| Ordinary Seaman/General Vessel Asst. | 0 |
| Able Seaman | 1 |
| Deck Utilityman/Seaman Surveyor | 2 |
| *Boatswain Group Leader | 3 |
| Chief Boatswain | 5 |
*Not in normal line of promotion
Experience includes such activities as: small boat handling; ship maintenance and upkeep; line handling and warping during berthing and departing movement of vessels; and handling of deck equipment and supplies.
QUALITY OF EXPERIENCE - DECK
In general, one year of the required years of experience must have been at the next lower rating in the normal line of promotion aboard a NOAA vessel or other comparable position. The full text of NOAA qualifications for deck positions is available at the EASC, Human Resource Division Office.
SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE - DECK (OTHER)
Successful completion of high school may be substituted for six months of the required experience. Each successfully completed year of full time study in an institution above high school level in navigation, seamanship, and/or other maritime studies, may be substituted for six months experience. Part-time study is prorated. Substitution may be made only through the ratings of Deck Utilityman and Seaman Surveyor.
LICENSES/ENDORSEMENTS - DECK
Applicants or employees above the rating of Ordinary Seaman or General Vessel Assistant must have a U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner's Document endorsed for Able Seaman-Unlimited, Able Seaman-Limited, Able Seaman-Special, or equivalent endorsement as specified in title 46 C.F.R. Section 12.05-7(c) and (d). Endorsements for Able Seaman-Offshore Supply Vessel, Able Seaman-Sail or Able Seaman-Fishing Industry are not qualifying.
DECK (FISHERMAN)
DESCRIPTION OF WORK: The Deck Department is responsible for performing the following functions: maintaining ship exterior and interior spaces; maintaining and operating deck machinery and boats; mooring and anchoring the ship; loading; unloading; stowing supplies and equipment; and standing watches. On fisheries research vessels the Deck Department is also responsible for performing the following: 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.
EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS - DECK (FISHERMAN)
| Rating | Years of Experience |
| Ordinary Fisherman | 0 |
| Fisherman | 1# |
| Skilled Fisherman | 2 |
| *Lead Fisherman | 3 |
| Chief Boatswain (Fisherman) | 5 |
*Not in normal line of promotion
#At least six months of this experience must have been performing
fishing activities.
Experience includes such activities as: small boat handling; ship maintenance and upkeep; line handling and warping during berthing and departing movement of vessels; and handling of deck equipment and supplies. At the Fisherman rating and above, experience must include: fishing gear handling, construction or assembly, and repair, including net mending, aboard either commercial fishing vessels or fishing research vessels. Demonstration of the needed skills may be required.
QUALITY OF EXPERIENCE - DECK (FISHERMAN)
In general one year of the required years of experience must have been at the next lower rating in the normal line of promotion aboard a NOAA vessel or other comparable position. The full text of NOAA qualifications for deck-fishing positions is available at the EASC, Human Resource Division Office.
SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE - DECK (FISHERMAN)
Successful completion of high school may be substituted for six months of the required experience. Each successfully completed academic year of full time study in an institution above the high school level which offers a curriculum including "hands on" experience in such areas as net-mending, handling fishing gear, wire splicing and other fishing-related activities, may be substituted for six months of the required experience for ratings up to and including Skilled Fisherman. Part-time study is prorated. Substitution may be made only through rating of Skilled Fisherman.
LICENSES/ENDORSEMENTS - DECK (FISHERMAN)
None required.
SURVEY DEPARTMENT
DESCRIPTION OF WORK: The Survey Department is responsible for performing the following functions: oceanographic and survey data acquisition and processing operations; technical assistance to program personnel; administering the safekeeping and transmittal of data; and maintaining oceanographic and survey instruments.
EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
| Rating | Years of Experience |
| Junior Survey Technician | 1 |
| Assistant Survey Technician | 2 |
| Survey Technician | 3 |
| Senior Survey Technician | 4 |
| Chief Survey Technician | 5 |
Experience serving on a ship, launch or field party engaged in oceanographic or survey operations performing 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 and survey operations; performing oceanographic and/or survey observations, measurements, and calculations; assisting in the preparation, installation, deployment and recovery of oceanographic and/or survey equipment and instruments; and processing oceanographic and/or survey data.
QUALITY OF EXPERIENCE
One year of the required years of experience must have been at the next lower rating aboard a NOAA vessel or other comparable position, except for Junior Survey Technician. Experience to qualify for Junior Survey Technician positions must be evaluated using the experience requirements described above and the duties described in the work statement for Junior Survey Technician.
SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE
The successful completion of a high school curriculum which has included four half-year courses in any combination of the following subjects may be substituted for one year of experience: mathematics (algebra, geometry, trigonometry, etc.), surveying, chemistry, physics, computer science, or earth sciences. Academic study successfully completed in a school above high school level may be substituted for experience on the basis of one year of study for 9 months of experience, provided a minimum of six semester/nine quarter hours per year are shown in courses closely related to the duties of the position. The courses include engineering, physics, plane or advance surveying, geophysics, geography, navigation, engineering drafting or graphics, mathematics, oceanography, biology, cartography, chemistry, computer programming, etc. Part-time study is prorated. Education can only be substituted up to and including the Assistant Survey Technician rating.
STEWARD
DEPARTMENT
DESCRIPTION OF WORK: The Steward Department is responsible for performing the following functions: planning and preparing menus; ordering, preparing and serving food; maintaining galleys, messes, storage areas, living areas, and other assigned interior spaces in an orderly and sanitary condition; providing clean linens; and maintaining inventories of mess provisions and other supplies.
EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
| Rating | Years of Experience |
| Messman/General Vessel Asst. | 0 |
| *Laundryman | 0 |
| Second Cook | 1 year of general |
| *Cook Baker | 1 year of specialized |
| Chief Cook | 2 years of specialized |
| Chief Steward | 3 years of specialized |
*Not in normal line of promotion.
General experience may be acquired as messman and galley helper when it includes serving food, cleaning galley messes, pantry, refrigerators, range, and mess equipment. The experience may be gained aboard a ship or in restaurants, etc.
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 and purchasing food, inspecting and storing foodstuffs, maintaining inventories, preparing estimates for mess supplies, and the ability to supervise a group of employees.
QUALITY OF EXPERIENCE
In general one year of the required years of experience must have been at the next lower rating aboard an NOAA vessel or other comparable position. The full text of NOAA qualification for Steward Department positions is available at the EASC, Human Resource Division Office.
SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE
Course work successfully completed at a military, vocational, or other culinary school above the high school level may be substituted for experience on a month-for-month basis. Other directly related course work, such as community college courses, may be substituted on the basis of 30 semester/45 quarter hours for nine months of experience. Part-time study is prorated. No substitution may be made for more than one year of general experience and one year of specialized experience.
LICENSES/ ENDORSEMENTS
None required.
Last Updated: March 26, 2001
Comments: Webmaster.EASC@noaa.gov
Publication of the Eastern Administrative Support Center (EASC), National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S. Department of Commerce. http://www.easc.noaa.gov