Career Opportunities in the Atlantic Fleet
Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA), NOAA Marine and Aviation Operations,
offers excellent career opportunities for civilians in the
Atlantic Fleet.
For a complete description of duties for various shipboard positions,
see below
Immediate openings exist for shipboard personnel! To find out
about current vacancy announcements, you may access the Automated
Commerce Employment System (ACES).
Applications will ONLY be accepted for open vacancy announcements.
YOU MUST BE A U.S. CITIZEN TO APPLY
For information on the Marine Operations Center - Atlantic, 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
INFORMATION
ON OPPORTUNITIES IN THE NOAA COMMISSIONED CORPS
Various Shipboard Positions
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.
Top
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 |
NOTE:
* Not in normal line of promotion
# At least six (6) 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 (1) 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 (6) 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)
Upon
selection for positions above the rating of Ordinary Fisherman
or General
Vessel Assistant, applicants or employees must have
a U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner’s Document, endorsed
for Able-Seaman-Unlimited, Able-Seaman-Limited (with expiration
date), Able-Seaman Special, or equivalent endorsement as specified
in Title 46 C.F.R. Section 12.05- 7(c) and (d), or must obtain
the required endorsement within 12 months of appointment or date
of entry into the position. Endorsements for Able Seaman-Offshore
Supply Vessel, Able Seaman-Sail or Able Seaman-Fishing Industry
are not qualifying.
Top
**RONALD
H. BROWN |
DIESEL
ELECTRIC |
6000
HP |
CLASS
IA |
****Thomas
Jefferson |
DIESEL |
2550
HP |
CLASS
II |
**Nancy
Foster |
DIESEL |
1850
HP |
CLASS
III |
***GORDON
GUNTER |
DIESEL
ELECTRIC |
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 |
*Homeport: WOODS HOLE, MA
**Homeport: CHARLESTON, SC
***Homeport: PASCAGOULA, MS
****Homeport: NORFOLK, VA
Top
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.
Top
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
EXPERIENCE |
Ordinary
Seaman/General Vessel Asst. |
0 |
Able
Seaman |
1 |
Deck
Utilityman/Seaman Surveyo |
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.
Top
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 |
NOTE:
* Not in normal line of promotion
# At least six (6) 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 (1) 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 (6) 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)
Upon
selection for positions above the rating of Ordinary Fisherman
or General Vessel Assistant, applicants or employees must have
a U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner’s Document, endorsed
for Able-Seaman-Unlimited, Able-Seaman-Limited (with expiration
date), Able-Seaman Special, or equivalent endorsement as specified
in Title 46 C.F.R. Section 12.05- 7(c) and (d), or must obtain
the required endorsement within 12 months of appointment or
date of entry into the position. Endorsements for Able Seaman-Offshore
Supply Vessel, Able Seaman-Sail or Able Seaman-Fishing Industry
are not qualifying.
Top
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.
Top
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.
Top
