NOAA Corps Officer Assignments

This is a color coded world map that shows the geographic location of all NOAA Corps billets.

As a uniformed service, NOAA Corps officers can expect to rotate assignments throughout their career. Each assignment progresses in career development and builds in responsibilities from the previous assignment. In general, all officers alternate between operational assignments and shore assignments in support of the agency.

Early in an officer’s career, the assignments focus more on officer development, interpersonal skills, teamwork and communication. Examples of early career assignments include program mangers, aides to flag officers, scientists and leading one of NOAA's Navigational Response Teams.

As an officer’s career progresses, assignments focus more on leading and developing others, team building, and developing administrative skills such as budgeting and personnel management. Assignments such as marine or aviation advisor, legislative affairs staff, and small boat program manager are examples of mid-level career positions.

At senior leadership levels of the organization, officers focus on leading organizations and organizational change. These assignments include commanding operations centers, and being the NOAA Corps liaison to other uniformed services.

Sea and Aviation Assignments

NOAA Corps officers are either mariners or aviators. An officer’s primary mission is to operate NOAA's fleet of research and survey ships and specialized environmental data-collecting aircraft. After attending the Basic Officer Training Course, officers begin their first operational assignments.

NOAA Corps officer candidates clad in blue uniforms on the pier in front of a white NOAA ship

Mariners

NOAA Corps mariners serve on operational assignments aboard ships, typically for two years. They progress in position each time they rotate from their shore assignment to a new ship assignment. The officer’s first assignment after initial training is as a Junior Officer on a ship, learning to operate and understand the mechanics and nuances of ship life. On the next sea assignment, officers serve as the Operations Officer, leading the planning and execution of missions. The third sea assignment is in the Executive Officer role, second in command, supervising the NOAA Corps officers and most professional mariners aboard a ship. The culmination of a mariner's career is to serve as the Commanding Officer of a ship, responsible for the mission, ship and preservation of safety and life at sea.

Aviators

Pilots on the flight deck of a NOAA WP-3D Orion hurricane hunter aircraft

NOAA Corps aviators typically serve on flight assignments for five years. Aviators qualify by aircraft platform as co-pilots, aircraft commanders, and instructors. The first operational assignment is typically on a light aircraft: the De Havilland DHC-6-300 Twin Otter or the Beechcraft King Air 350/360CER. Aviators on a second operational assignment may transition to a heavy aircraft: the Gulfstream IV-SP or the Lockheed WP-3D Orion.

Aviators are encouraged to seek non-flight assignments in between operational tours to gain an understanding of the organization and increase their breadth of experience. On further aviation assignments, they may continue to fly or may elect to seek senior leadership positions within the agency or the Aircraft Operations Center.

Shore Assignments

Between operational assignments, officers typically serve for three years on shore assignments across NOAA. These assignments support many different missions. Below are some of the positions or “billets” held by NOAA Corps officers.

United States

NOAA Corps officers hold leadership, staff, and support roles within NOAA Headquarters.

Positions	Locations
Deputy Under Secretary for Operations	Washington, D.C.
Flag Aide to the Deputy Undersecretary for Operations	Silver Spring, Md.
Staff Assistant, Program Coordination Office	Washington, D.C.
Flag Aide to the Deputy Undersecretary of Commerce and NOAA Administrator	Washington, D.C.
Senior Advisor, Director of Operations, Deputy Secretary, Department of Commerce	Washington, D.C.
Director, Office of Emergency Management	Silver Spring, Md.
Assistant Operations Coordinator, Office of Emergency Management	Silver Spring, Md.
Staff, Legislative Affairs	Silver Spring, Md.
Executive Advisor to the Office of the Under Secretary	Washington, D.C.
Executive Director to the Deputy Under Secretary	Washington, D.C.
Executive Assistant to the Chief of Staff	Washington, D.C.
Division Chief, Strategy and Executive Support, Office of the Chief Financial Officer	Silver Spring, Md.

United States

NOAA Marine and Aviation Operations manages and operates NOAA's fleet of research and survey ships and specialized environmental data-collecting aircraft. Comprised of civilians and officers of the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps, it also manages the NOAA Diving Program, NOAA Small Boat Program and NOAA Uncrewed Systems Operations Center.

Positions	Locations
Director, NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps and NOAA Office of Marine and Aviation Operations	Silver Spring, Md.
Deputy Director, NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps and Deputy Director for Operations, NOAA Office of Marine and Aviation Operations	Silver Spring, Md.
Chief of Staff for Director, NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps and NOAA Office of Marine and Aviation Operations	Silver Spring, Md.
Marine Advisor, Operations	Silver Spring, Md.
Aviation Advisor to the Deputy Director for Operations	Silver Spring, Md.
Chief of Staff for Deputy Director, NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps and Deputy Director for Operations, NOAA Office of Marine and Aviation Operations	Silver Spring, Md.
Deputy Chief of Staff	Silver Spring, Md.
Fleet Safety Support & Incident Command System Program Manager, Safety Management Branch, Marine Operations	Newport, Ore.
Executive Officer, Marine Operations, Engineering	Newport, Ore.
Staff Officer, Safety Management Branch	Silver Spring, Md.
Flag Lieutenant	Silver Spring, Md.
Flag Secretary	Silver Spring, Md.
Director, Training Division	Silver Spring, Md.
Project Manager, Strategic Management Division	Silver Spring, Md.
Executive Officer, NOAA Small Boat Program	Seattle, Wash.
NOAA Small Boat Program Manager	Seattle, Wash.
Platoon Leader, Uncrewed Underwater Vehicles	Stennis Space Center, Miss.
NOAA Liaison to Indo-Pacific Command	Camp Smith, Hawaii
NOAA Liaison to Northern Command	Colorado Springs, Colo.
Public Administration Training Program, Harvard Kennedy School	Cambridge, Mass.
Director, Marine Operations Center	Newport, Ore.
Chief of Staff, Marine Operations	Newport, Ore.
Fleet Performance Manager, Program Planning and Services Branch	Newport, Ore.
Fleet Data Technology Manager	Newport, Ore.
Marine Operations Lead, New Ship Construction	Silver Spring, Md.
Aviation Operations Lead, Aircraft Acquisition	Silver Spring, Md.
Marine Operations Crew Branch Chief	Ketchikan, Alaska
Marine Operations Crew Program Manager	Norfolk, Va.
Fleet Environmental Support Manager, Marine Operations	Middletown, R.I.
Director, Uncrewed Systems Operations Center	Silver Spring, Md.
Deputy Director, Uncrewed Systems Operations Center	Silver Spring, Md.
Chief, Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Division	Lakeland, Fla.
Operations Officer, Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Division	Lakeland, Fla.
NOAA Liaison, Oceanographer of the Navy	Washington, D.C.
NOAA Liaison to the United States Coast Guard	Washington, D.C.
Director, Commissioned Personnel Center	Silver Spring, Md.
Chief, Officer Career Management Division	Silver Spring, Md.
Chief, Officer Assignment Branch, Commissioned Personnel Center	Silver Spring, Md.
Leadership Coordinator and Staff Officer, Commissioned Personnel Center	Silver Spring, Md.
Special Projects Coordinator, Commissioned Personnel Center	Silver Spring, Md.
Staff Officer, Officer Personnel Management Division	Silver Spring, Md.
Commanding Officer, NOAA Corps Officer Training Center	New London, Conn.
Deputy Chief, NOAA Corps Officer Training Center	New London, Conn.
Senior Instructor, NOAA Corps Officer Training Center	New London, Conn.
Senior Instructor - Aviation, NOAA Corps Officer Training Center	New London, Conn.
Instructor, NOAA Corps Officer Training Center	New London, Conn.
Chief, NOAA Corps Recruiting Branch	Silver Spring, Md.
Deputy Chief, NOAA Corps Recruiting Branch	Silver Spring, Md.
Recruiting Officer, NOAA Corps Recruiting Branch	Silver Spring, Md.
Recruiting Field Officer, NOAA Corps Recruiting Branch	Silver Spring, Md.
Nautical Science and Underway Training Officer	New London, Conn.
Commanding Officer, Marine Operations Center, Atlantic	Norfolk, Va.
Executive Officer, Marine Operations Center, Atlantic	Norfolk, Va.
Chief of Operations, Marine Operations Center, Atlantic	Norfolk, Va.
Deputy Chief of Operations, Marine Operations Center, Atlantic	Norfolk, Va.
Operations Manager, Marine Operations Center, Atlantic	Norfolk, Va.
Commanding Officer, Marine Operations Center, Pacific	Newport, Ore.
Executive Officer, Marine Operations Center, Pacific	Newport, Ore.
Chief of Operations, Marine Operations Center, Pacific	Newport, Ore.
Deputy Chief of Operations, Marine Operations Center, Pacific	Newport, Ore.
Operations Manager, Marine Operations Center, Pacific	Newport, Ore.
Commanding Officer, Marine Operations Center, Pacific Islands	Honolulu, Hawaii
Operations Officer, Marine Operations Center, Pacific Islands	Honolulu, Hawaii
Commanding Officer, Aircraft Operations Center	Lakeland, Fla.
Chief, Operations Division, Aviation Operations Center	Lakeland, Fla.
Safety Officer, Aviation Operations Center	Lakeland, Fla.
Executive Officer, NOAA Dive Program	Seattle, Wash.
Operations Officer, NOAA Dive Program	Seattle, Wash.
Port Captain, New England Region	Middletown, R.I.
Fleet Small Boat Engineering Officer	Newport, Ore.

United States

NOAA's NOAA Satellite and Information Service, provides secure and timely access to global environmental data and information from satellites and other sources to promote and protect the nation's security, environment, economy, and quality of life.

Positions	Locations
Assistant Director, Office of Satellite and Product Operations	Suitland, Md.
Technical Director, Mission Operations Division, Office of Satellite and Product Operations	Suitland, Md.
Climate Services Liaison, National Centers for Environmental Information, Climatic Science and Services Division	Asheville, N.C.
Executive Officer, NESDIS	Silver Spring, Md.
Executive Officer, National Centers for Environmental Information Director's Office	Boulder, Colo.
Executive Officer, Satellite Oceanography and Climatology Division	College Park, Md.
Executive Officer, Satellite Products and Services Division	College Park, Md.
Operations Support Officer, Search and Rescue Satellite Aided Tracking	Suitland, Md.
National Ocean Service Hydrographic Database Manager, Geophysical Science	Boulder, Colo.

United States

NOAA Fisheries is responsible for the stewardship of the nation's living marine resources and their habitats. This includes the management, conservation, and protection of living marine resources within the United States’ Exclusive Economic Zone (water three to 200 miles offshore), as well as inland marine areas, estuaries, and tidal zones.

Positions	Locations
Executive Officer	Silver Spring, Md.
Executive Officer, Science and Technology	Silver Spring, Md.
Chief of Staff, Southwest Fisheries Science Center	La Jolla, Calif.
Chief of Staff, Northeast Fisheries Science Center	Woods Hole, Mass.
Environmental Technology Officer, Chesapeake Bay Program Office, Office of Habitat Conservation	Annapolis, Md.
Executive Officer, Restoration Center	Sacramento, Calif.
Resource Specialist, Office of Habitat Conservation	Anchorage, Alaska
Benthic Mapping Specialist	Seattle, Wash.
Northwest Fisheries Science Center Small Boat Chief	Seattle, Wash.
Staff Scientist, Marine Mammals and Protected Species	Seattle, Wash.
Geographic Information Systems and Operations Coordinator	Santa Rosa, Calif.
Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Operations Coordinator	La Jolla, Calif.
Special Assistant, California Central Valley Office	Sacramento, Calif.
Antarctic Logistics Coordinator, Ecosystem Biologist	La Jolla, Calif.
Cetacean Photogrammetry Specialist	La Jolla, Calif.
Advanced Survey Technology Officer	La Jolla, Calif.
Operations Officer, Ecology Investigation	Santa Cruz, Calif.
Operations Officer for Southwest Fisheries Science Center, Ecosystems Science Division	La Jolla, Calif.
Operations Specialist, Protected Species Branch	Woods Hole, Mass.
Officer in Charge, R/V Gloria Michelle	Woods Hole, Mass.
Junior Officer in Charge, R/V Gloria Michelle	Woods Hole, Mass.
Vessel Operations Coordinator, Milford Laboratory	Milford, Conn.
Executive Officer, Protected Resources Division	St. Petersburg, Fla.
Deputy Chief, Marine Mammal Branch, Maritime Liaison, Southeast Region	St. Petersburg, Fla.
Staff Scientist, Reef Fish Team	Panama City Beach, Fla.
Operations Manager, Marine Mammal and Turtle Division	Miami, Fla.
Vessel and Dive Operations Officer	Miami, Fla.
Assistant to Operations, Management, and Information Chief	Honolulu, Hawaii
Science Operations Manager	Honolulu, Hawaii
Mission Operations Coordinator	Honolulu, Hawaii
Researcher/Dive Center Coordinator	Honolulu, Hawaii

United States

NOAA’s National Ocean Service provides science-based solutions through collaborative partnerships to address evolving economic, environmental, and social pressures on our Great Lakes, ocean, and coasts.

Positions	Locations
Director, Office of Coast Survey	Silver Spring, Md.
Operations Director, National Geodetic Survey	Silver Spring, Md.
Chief, Navigation Services Division	Silver Spring, Md.
Operations Director, National Ocean Service	Silver Spring, Md.
Chief, Hydrographic Surveys Division	Silver Spring, Md.
Chief, Remote Sensing Division, Requirements Branch	Silver Spring, Md.
Deputy Chief, Remote Sensing Division	Silver Spring, Md.
Remote Sensing Technology Specialist	Silver Spring, Md.
LIDAR and Hydrographic Survey Developmental Officer	Silver Spring, Md.
NOAA Liaison Officer, Joint LIDAR Center	Silver Spring, Md.
Technical Advisor to the Director, Office of Coast Survey	Silver Spring, Md.
Hydrographic Research Assistant, University of New Hampshire	Durham, N.H.
Project and Action Officer, US Integrated Ocean Observing System Program Office	Silver Spring, Md.
Navigation Manager, Alaska	Anchorage, Alaska
Program Manager, Office of Coast Survey, Technical Mapping Support	Durham, N.H.
Chief, Navigation Response Branch	Silver Spring, Md.
Scientific Support Specialist, Biogeography, National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science	Beaufort, N.C.
Officer in Charge, Navigation Response Team, New London	New London, Conn.
Marine Chart Division Special Projects Officer	Silver Spring, Md.
Operations Manager, Hydrographic Systems and Technology Branch, Coastal Survey Development Laboratory	Durham, N.H.
Field Support Liaison, Hydrographic Systems and Technology Branch, Atlantic	Norfolk, Va.
Officer in Charge, Navigation Response Team, Seattle	Seattle, Wash.
Field Support Liaison, Hydrographic Systems and Technology Branch, Pacific	Seattle, Wash.
Officer in Charge, Navigation Response Team 1	Stennis Space Center, Miss.
Officer in Charge, Uncrewed Systems, Navigation Response Team, Stennis	Stennis Space Center, Mich.
Chief, Operations Branch, Marine Chart Division	Silver Spring, Md.
Chief, Atlantic Hydrographic Branch	Norfolk, Va.
Chief, Pacific Operations Branch, Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services	Seattle, Wash.
Hydrographic Training and Doctrine Coordinator	Silver Spring, Md.
Scientific Support Coordinator, Regional Operations, Emergency Response	Seattle, Wash.
Emergency Response Program Coordinator, Office of Response and Restoration, Emergency Response Division	Silver Spring, Md.
Regional Response Officer, Northwest, Emergency Response	Seattle, Wash.
Regional Response Officer, Southeast, Emergency Response	Mobile, Ala.
Scientific Support Coordinator, Regional Operations, Emergency Response	Ann Arbor, Mich.
Operations Officer, Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, West Coast Region	Monterey Bay, Calif.
Marine Operations Coordinator, Office of National Marine Sanctuaries	Silver Spring, Md.
Vessel Operations Coordinator, Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary	Galveston, Texas
Science and Marine Operations Officer, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary	Key West, Fla.
Vessel Operations Coordinator, Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary	Santa Barbara, Calif.
Vessel Operations Coordinator, Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary	Port Angeles, Wash.
Vessel Operations Coordinator, Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary	Savannah, Ga.
Vessel Operations Coordinator, Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument	Honolulu, Hawaii
Staff Scientist, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary	Key Largo, Fla.
Vessel Coordinator, Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary	Kihei, Hawaii
Assistant Superintendent, Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary	Kihei, Hawaii
Hydrographic Support Officer, Atlantic Field Operations	Chesapeake, Va.
Tides and Currents Support Officer, Pacific Field Operations	Seattle, Wash.
Electronic Chart Display and Information System Project Manager, Marine Chart Division	Silver Spring, Md.

United States

NOAA’s National Weather Service provides weather, water and climate data, forecasts, warnings, and impact-based decision support services for the protection of life and property and enhancement of the national economy.

Positions	Locations
Assistant Director, Office of Observations	Silver Spring, Md.
Deputy for Resource Management and Analysis	Silver Spring, Md.
Executive Officer, Aviation Weather Center	Kansas City, Mo.
Chief of Staff, National Hurricane Center	Miami, Fla.
Chief of Staff, Space Weather Prediction Center	Boulder, Colo.
Executive Officer, Surface and Upper Air Division	Silver Spring, Md.
Operations Manager, National Hurricane Center, Storm Surge Unit	Miami, Fla.
Technical Operations Coordinator	College Park, Md.
Science & Applied Technology Officer, US National Ice Center	Suitland, Md.
Flag Lieutenant, Aide to Director/Assistant Administrator	Silver Spring, Md.
Climate Officer, National Weather Service, Pacific Region	Honolulu, Hawaii
Special Projects Officer, National Data Buoy Center	Stennis Space Center, Miss.

United States

NOAA Research provides the research foundation for understanding the complex systems that support our planet.

Positions	Locations
Deputy Director, Earth System Research Laboratory	Boulder, Colo.
Resource Manager, Research Platform	Silver Spring, Md.
Associate Director, Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Lab	Miami, Fla.
Associate Director for Operations, Pacific Marine Environmental Lab	Seattle, Wash.
Expedition Operations Leader, Expeditions and Exploration Division	Durham, N.H.
Operations Manager	Miami, Fla.
Operations Manager, Ocean Exploration and Research	Silver Spring, Md.
Research Operations Manager	Seattle, Wash.
Operations Manager, Global Ocean Monitoring and Observing	Silver Spring, Md.
Field Station and Vessel Operations Coordinator, Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory	Muskegon, Mich.
Ocean Engineer, Engineering Development Division	Seattle, Wash.
Physical Scientist, National Marine Fisheries Service Oceanography Coordinated Investigations	Seattle, Wash.
Station Chief, Observatory Operations	Boulder, Colo. / Pago Pago, American Samoa / South Pole

United States