1. If I submit one resume to NOAA representatives at the PMF Career Fair, am I applying for every PMF position offered at NOAA?

2. Who is my point of contact during the application and hiring process?

3. Are there any current or former PMFs who could speak to me about the PMF process and the PMF Program in general?

4. What types of developmental assignments and training experiences are available to PMFs at NOAA?

5. What types of social activities are available to PMFs at NOAA?

6. Will I develop an Individual Development Plan (IDP) when I join NOAA?

7. Will I have a chance to travel?

8. What has been the career progression of PMFs at NOAA?

9. Does NOAA offer a Student Loan Repayment Program?

Question #1: If I submit one resume to NOAA representatives at the PMF Career Fair, am I applying for every PMF position offered at NOAA?

Answer:  No. Each individual office handles the hiring process differently. You should contact EACH office that you are interested in prior to the PMF Career Fair to be sure that you receive full consideration from each office hiring PMFs at NOAA.

Question #2: Who is my point of contact during the application and hiring process?

Answer: You actually have several points of contact that you should stay in touch with during the application and hiring process. The first contact is the supervisor in the office with whom you are interviewing. It is important to maintain contact with the supervisor to set your interview. If you are selected for a position, the supervisor will assist you with getting the details of your PMF position finalized.

If selected for a position, the second contact is the Human Resources Advisor (HRA) that actually extends the job offer to you. The HRA will be able to assist you in selecting a starting date and getting the appropriate paperwork completed as well as answering questions about salary and benefits. The third contact during the application and hiring process is either the NOAA PMF Recruitment Program Manager, Theodoris Corbett, who can be reached at: Theodoris.L.Corbett@noaa.gov, (301) 713-6366 or the NOAA PMF Training Program Manager, Tracy Scott, can be reached at: Tracy.Scott@noaa.gov, (303) 497-4231. Your fourth contact is current and former NOAA PMFs. These individuals know what you are going through and would be glad to talk with you about any questions or concerns that you have.

Question #3: Are there any current or former PMFs who could speak to me about the PMF process and the PMF Program in general?

Answer: Yes, there are many current and former NOAA PMFs who are available to talk to PMFs applying to NOAA.  

Question #4: What types of developmental assignments and training experiences are available to PMFs at NOAA?

Answer: Training and development are fundamental components of the PMF Program. NOAA has developed a mandatory NOAA PMF Training and Development Program to ensure that PMFs complete these program requirements. The requirements provide consistency of training and make the PMFs a corporate NOAA resource. NOAA is also interested in ensuring that the content and quality of training received is beneficial and complimentary to the career development of PMFs. The Fellows' training and developmental assignments must be documented on his/her individual development plan (IDP).

Regulations require that Fellows receive at least 80 hours of formal classroom training in each year of their fellowship. At NOAA, this training includes attendance at the OPM PMF Orientation (24 training hours in year one), the NOAA PMF Orientation (16 training hours in year one), and the Department’s PMF Orientation (16 training hours in year one). In addition, NOAA Fellows staff the NOAA Leadership Seminar (24 training hours in year one or two) and complete 40 hours of supervisory training in either year one or year two. NOAA Fellows are also required to complete a minimum of 40 elective training hours during the two year fellowship.

NOAA PMFs must also complete 2 developmental assignments; 1 that is 120-180 calendar days (4-6 months) in length and 1 that is 30-180 calendar days (1-6 months) during the fellowship. These requirements must be completed prior to the Fellow's anticipated conversion date (2 years from the PMF's entry on duty date). NOAA PMFs must also establish and maintain a relationship with a mentor outside of their chain of command. For more information, visit The Mandatory NOAA PMF Training and Development Program web page.

Question #5: What types of social activities are available to PMFs at NOAA?

Answer: PMFs have many opportunities to network and meet other PMFs in the Washington D.C./Silver Spring Maryland area. Current NOAA PMFs have formed a PMF Leadership Book Club that meets bi-monthly with different members of NOAA’s senior leadership team for a book discussion and subsequent happy hour. NOAA PMFs also maintain a list-serve, used by current and former NOAA PMFs to share information. The importance of both structured and informal interactions is recognized as an integral component of the PMF experience, and NOAA is continuing to develop and enhance such opportunities.

Question #6: Will I develop an Individual Development Plan (IDP) when I join NOAA?

Answer: Yes. The IDP is viewed as a roadmap to the entire fellowship. NOAA PMFs are required to develop an IDP within thirty days of their start date. The Fellows review their IDPs with their supervisors and submit them to the NOAA PMF Training Program Manager for review. Subsequently, fellows submit three-month, six-month, one-year, and two-year (final) versions of the IDP to the NOAA PMF Training Program Manager to ensure that program requirements are met. For more information, visit The PMF's IDP web page.

Question #7: Will I have a chance to travel?

Answer: Although travel opportunities vary by position and the NOAA Line Office for which the employee works, some NOAA PMFs get opportunities to travel to NOAA field offices as part of their job, or from the field to Washington, D.C.  In addition, past PMFs have also had select opportunities to travel internationally.

Question #8: What has been the career progression of PMFs at NOAA?

Answer:  NOAA strongly supports the career development of its PMFs.  Former PMFs have achieved management positions both within NOAA and at other government agencies.

Question #9:  Does NOAA offer a Student Loan Repayment Program?

Answer:  Management, under certain circumstances, may wish to offer a student loan repayment incentive to applicants for mission-critical positions which are difficult to fill. Most NOAA positions filled by PMFs are not difficult to fill. If the situation does warrant use of this incentive, approval of the Workforce Management Office Director is required before the PMF may enter on duty. PMF Finalists should discuss student loan repayment with the supervisor with which they are interviewing and prior to accepting a job with NOAA to find out whether the position for which they are interviewing is considered mission-critical and difficult to fill and thereby to determine whether or not the applicant filling that position qualifies for student loan repayment.

Page last edited: March 10, 2009