If you love being on the water, there’s an intriguing opportunity to become a professional mariner. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is looking for a variety of adventure seeking people to work aboard its research vessels, based out of its Marine Operations Center – Atlantic in Norfolk.
NOAA is looking for licensed engineers, junior engineers, oilers, able seamen and cooks at a hiring event on Thursday, Sept. 26 (9 a.m.- 3 p.m.) at the Marine Operations Center on West York Street in Norfolk.
You’ve probably spotted NOAA’s research vessels on the Chesapeake Bay from time to time. NOAA operates a fleet of 15 boats used for hydrographic surveys, oceanographic research and fisheries surveys. They are run by a combination of NOAA commissioned officials and civilians—the professional mariners NOAA is looking to hire. They are federal employees and those who are highly qualified could even be offered a tentative job on the spot.
NOAA research ship missions explore the deepest parts of the ocean, conduct fisheries surveys and ocean and climate studies, and chart the shallow bays and inlets of the U.S., all in the name of science.
Among NOAA’s fleet is the NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson, homeported at the Norfolk facility. The ship is currently working in the waters around Charleston, South Carolina. You may remember seeing R/V Thomas Jefferson here in the Bay in 2021. The crew surveyed the approaches of the Chesapeake Bay as part of a multi-year project collecting hydrographic data to support vessels entering and exiting the Bay. They’re updating previous partial bottom coverage surveys dating back to the 1880s-1940s. This time around, NOAA used complete bottom surveys using multibeam echo sounder and side scan sonar.
You can read about all 15 of NOAA’s research vessels and what they’re up to here.
Like many in the maritime industry, NOAA is seeing staffing shortages for professional mariners. They’re motivated to expedite the hiring process and may even offer signing bonuses up to $10,000. New hires could include engineers, and unlicensed members of the engine, steward and deck departments. The vessels also need survey and electronic technicians to operate and/or maintain the ship’s mission, communications and navigation equipment. You must be a U.S. citizen to apply. You do not need to attend the hiring event to apply for these jobs.
For more information, reach out to:
[email protected]
1-833-SAIL-USA (724-5872)
www.omao.noaa.gov/sailnoaa
