Finding a career at NOAA

What happens after you’ve completed a NOAA student opportunity and received your degree? Alumni of our programs go into many fields, from academia to private industry. We hope you consider working at NOAA!

NOAA federal employees work in a wide variety of careers. You can find many of them by searching for "NOAA" at USAJOBS. Learn more about navigating the federal hiring process below.

NOAA’s federal employees and contractor personnel work as a team to support NOAA’s mission.

Clipart of hands clasped as if two people are shaking hands.

Getting a federal job isn’t the only way to support NOAA’s mission. You can also work at a private company contracted to support NOAA. There are many different types of jobs available at contracting companies. Learn more about finding and applying for jobs with NOAA contractors below.

Learn about finding a federal position

Learn about finding a contractor position

Navigating the federal application and hiring process

Federal jobs are posted on USAJOBS, the official one-stop shop for federal hiring. This is where you can search for and apply for jobs at NOAA.

The application and hiring process for federal agencies like NOAA may be different from what you are used to.

Federal positions have strict eligibility criteria, and resumes require specific information. Because of this, you may be unfamiliar with the types of jobs you are qualified for and what information you must include on your resume.

Successfully navigating the application and hiring process can be complicated, but there are resources that can make the process a little easier.

Below, we provide some steps and tips for finding and applying to NOAA positions specifically. USAJOBS also has a large pool of "how to..." resources and webinars to guide you.

Explore and learn about different jobs at NOAA

Start by going to USAJOBS and searching for “NOAA.” Look through the jobs that are currently available. Each job posting will contain a short description and indicate the geographic location of the position (or whether it’s remote) and the pay grade.

Click on the positions and read more about them, even if the job title doesn't catch your eye.

Clipart of a magnifying glass zoomed in on a silhouette.

Official job titles for federal positions don’t always tell you much about what the job truly entails. You might be surprised at how different jobs with the same title, such as program and management analyst, can be!

Job postings have specific education or experience requirements you must meet to be considered. Read more in the "Finding jobs" section below.

VIDEO: Understanding a USAJOBS posting

Learn about the different sections of a USAJOBS posting.

For best video quality, view on YouTube or click the gear icon to make sure you are viewing the video at 720p

View video transcript

Transcript for 'Understanding a USAJOBS posting' video

Each job posting has a summary and overview, which includes basic information such as the NOAA office where the position is located, the geographic location, the pay scale and grade, and who can apply to the position.
Audiences you may see here include the public and specific hiring paths, such as students, recent graduates, veterans, and others.
The posting also lists duties and requirements. The requirements section has multiple areas.
- There are key conditions, which are the key requirements such as citizenship and ability to pass a background check.
- There may be requirements that are specific to the position as well. These are things like working on a rotating shift — or in adverse weather conditions, as you see for this position.
Qualifications include education and experience. The qualifications are determined by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management for each job series or family and grade.
- The education qualifications may have specific requirements related to the number of credit hours for certain courses. They may also include specialized experience.
  - It does not need to be in the federal government and it can include both paid and volunteer experience.
  - To see the specialized experience that you need for a position look under ‘to qualify for.’
Let's look at a different position that does not have an education requirement, but does have an experience requirement.
This position says there is no positive education requirement for the position; however you do have to have specialized experience, which is listed under ‘to qualify at the ZA-03 or GS-12 level.’
- Notice that you can substitute education, or a combination of education and experience, for the specialized experience.
It's important that you read the qualifications carefully. Your resume will need to show that you have the required experience for the specified amount of time — this is one reason that federal resumés must be detailed, and include dates you held positions and the hours per week that you worked.
The job posting will also describe how your application will be evaluated, list the documents you must submit, and how to apply.

Finding jobs: Understanding job types and qualifications

Depending on the type of job, known as the job series, you may need to meet government-wide qualification standards that are determined by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM).

Your levels of education and experience will determine the pay level you may be offered, referred to as the grade. Federal positions require resumes with specific information included to ensure your education and experience meet the criteria for a position.

Read more about job series and grade at USAJOBS.
Read more about qualification standards at opm.gov

Understanding job classifications used by NOAA (ZP/ZA/ZS/ZT and GS)

NOAA jobs are classified as either General Schedule (GS) or Department of Commerce Alternative Personnel System (CAPS). CAPS jobs are labeled as ZP, ZA, ZS, or ZT. The difference between GS and CAPS has to do with pay administration.

We do not recommend narrowing your job search based on GS or CAPS classification.

Jobs at NOAA are most often classified as either General Schedule (GS) or Scientific and Engineering Professional (ZP)/Administrative (ZA).

GS positions are broad. CAPS positions are further classified:

ZP: Scientific and Engineering — Professional technical positions in the physical, engineering, biological, mathematical, computer, and social science occupations. Examples include oceanographers, general engineers, IT specialists, and researchers.
ZT: Scientific and Engineering Technician — Positions supporting scientific and engineering activities through the application of various skills and techniques in the electrical, mechanical, physical science, biological, mathematics, and computer fields. Examples include electronics technicians, physical science technicians, and biological technicians.
ZA: Administrative — Positions in administrative and management fields, such as finance, procurement, human resources, librarianship, public information, and program and management analysis. Examples include budget analysts, communications specialists, and program analysts.
ZS: Support — Positions that provide administrative support through the application of typing, clerical, secretarial, assistant, and similar knowledge and skills; positions that provide specialized facilities support. Examples include security guards and enforcement technicians.

Understanding grade, or pay level

You must meet OPM qualification standards and any other qualification requirements for the jobs you apply to. You can meet the qualification requirements for jobs through your education and your experience. Requirements depend on the job series and grade

The job listing on USAJOBS will give a ZP/ZA/ZS/ZT Band or GS level.

Your highest level of degree will determine which grades you can qualify for using only your education.
- An undergraduate degree qualifies you for ZP/ZA Band 01 or GS-5 jobs. With a grade point average of B or more, you may qualify for ZP/ZA Band 02 or GS-7.
- A master’s degree qualifies you for ZP/ZA Band 02 or GS-9 jobs.
- A doctorate qualifies you for ZP/ZA Band 03 or GS-11 jobs.
For ZP jobs, you can substitute relevant experience for some of the education requirements.
- If not qualifying based solely on education, your resume must show that you have a year of specialized experience performing similar duties at the next lower pay grade. See the federal resume section below to learn more.
- In addition to the specialized experience, to qualify for a ZP professional series, you must have earned an eligible degree and/or completed eligible coursework.
ZS and ZT positions often do not have an education requirement, but do have specialized experience requirements.

Jobs series that are often of interest to NOAA internship and fellowship alumni

Management and Program Analyst, 0343

This series covers positions that primarily serve as analysts and advisors to management on the evaluation of the effectiveness of government programs and operations or the productivity and efficiency of the management of Federal agencies or both.

What does this career look like at NOAA? Explore NOAA 0343 series job listings.

General Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences, 0401

This series covers positions that manage, supervise, lead, or perform professional research, or scientific work in biology, agriculture, or natural resources management

This series has specific education or experience requirements. Check to see if you meet the 0401 series qualification requirements.
What does this career look like at NOAA? Explore NOAA 0401 series job listings.

Fish Biology, 0482

This series covers positions that manage, supervise, lead, or perform professional, research, or scientific work that involves preserving, conserving, propagating, and managing fish and other aquatic species populations and their habitats for ecological purposes and to benefit the public.

This series has specific education or experience requirements. Check to see if you meet the 0482 series qualification requirements.
What does this career look like at NOAA? Explore NOAA 0482 series job listings.

General Engineering, 0801

This series covers positions managing, supervising, leading, and/or performing professional engineering and scientific work.

This series has specific education or experience requirements. Check to see if you meet the 0801 series qualification requirements.
What does this career look like at NOAA? Explore NOAA 0801 series job listings.

Grants Management, 1109

This series includes positions which manage, supervise, lead, or perform administrative business, policy, and analytical work involving: (1) the management, award, and/or obligation of funds for grants, cooperative agreements, and other related instruments and services such as discretionary and mandatory grants, using financial, administrative, business and negotiation procedures; (2) the competitive or non-competitive evaluation of grants proposals; and/or (3) the administration or termination, and/or closeout of grants and/or grants assistance and agreement awards. The work requires knowledge of: laws, regulations, rules, policies, procedures, and methods governing the administration of Federal grants, cooperative agreements, and awards; grants/assistance management processes and techniques consistent with sound business and industry practices; and financial methods, procedures, and practices to assess the financial stability of recipient of Federal grants or cooperative agreements.

What does this career look like at NOAA? Explore NOAA 1109 series job listings.

General Physical Sciences Series, 1301

Positions that involve professional work in the physical sciences.

This series has specific education or experience requirements. Check to see if you meet the 1301 series qualification requirements.
What does this career look like at NOAA? Explore NOAA 1301 series job listings.

Hydrology Series, 1315

Positions that involve professional work in hydrology, the science concerned with the study of water in the hydrologic cycle. The work includes basic and applied research on water and water resources; the collection, measurement, analysis, and interpretation of information on water resources; the forecast of water supply and water flows; and the development of new, improved or more economical methods, techniques, and instruments.

This series has specific education or experience requirements. Check to see if you meet the 1315 series qualification requirements.
What does this career look like at NOAA? Explore NOAA 1315 series job listings.

Meteorology Series, 1340

Positions that involve professional work in meteorology, the science concerned with the earth*s atmospheric envelope and its processes. The work includes basic and applied research into the conditions and phenomena of the atmosphere; the collection, analysis, evaluation, and interpretation of meteorological data to predict weather and determine climatological conditions for specific geographical areas; the development of new or the improvement of existing meteorological theory; and the development or improvement of meteorological methods, techniques, and instruments. Positions in this occupation require full professional knowledge and application of meteorological methods, techniques, and theory.

This series has specific education or experience requirements. Check to see if you meet the 1340 series qualification requirements.
What does this career look like at NOAA? Explore NOAA 1340 series job listings.

Geodesy Series, 1372

Positions requiring primarily application of the principles and techniques of geodesy. The work includes determining the size and shape of the earth and its gravitational field, measuring the intensity and direction of the force of gravity, and determining the horizontal and vertical positions of points on the earth and in space, where consideration of the curvature of the earth is required.

This series has specific education or experience requirements. Check to see if you meet the 1372 series qualification requirements.
What does this career look like at NOAA? Explore NOAA 1372 series job listings.

General Mathematics and Statistics, 1501

This series covers positions that manage, supervise, lead, or perform scientific work of a mathematical, statistical, or actuarial nature.

What does this career look like at NOAA? Explore NOAA 1501 series job listings.

Mathematical Statistics, 1529

This series covers positions that manage, supervise, lead, or perform: scientific work that involves designing, developing, and adapting mathematical methods and techniques to statistical processes; or research that relates to the basic theories and science of statistics.

This series has specific education or experience requirements. Check to see if you meet the 1529 series qualification requirements.
What does this career look like at NOAA? Explore NOAA 1529 series job listings.

Statistics, 1530

This series covers positions that manage, supervise, lead, or perform scientific work or provide professional consultation in applying statistical theories, techniques, and methods to gather, analyze, interpret, and/or report quantified information.

This series has specific education or experience requirements. Check to see if you meet the 1530 series qualification requirements.
What does this career look like at NOAA? Explore NOAA 1530 series job listings.

Searching effectively: Using filters and creating a saved search

After you get comfortable with how to read and interpret job postings, you can take these steps to save time.

Filtering your search

There are a wide variety of jobs at NOAA. Use filters to focus on openings relevant to your job search.

Search “NOAA” at USAJOBS, and navigate to the filters on the right side of the page.
Select the filters that apply to you and your search.
- We recommend not selecting options under “grade” and “series,” or being generous with your selections if you do. Some series may be more appealing than their titles imply, and you may limit your search unnecessarily.
- Scroll to the bottom of each filter category you’re interested in, select “show options with 0 jobs,” and make any additional selections. This will help with creating a saved search in the next section, "creating a saved search."
Learn more about searching on USAJOBS' search tips page.

Creating a saved search

USAJOBS' saved search feature is a great tool to use in your job search. You can use it to receive email notifications when new jobs of interest become available.

Use saved searches to get notifications about new job openings.

You can get notification emails daily, weekly, or monthly. We recommend you choose daily so you don’t miss application deadlines. To create a saved search:

Search for "NOAA" and select filters as described in the previous section, "filtering your search."
- Be sure to scroll to the bottom of each filter category you’re interested in, select “show options with 0 jobs,” and make any additional selections. This way, your saved search will capture future positions that you may be interested in even if there aren’t any that meet those criteria at the moment.
Once you’ve selected your filters, look for and select the “Save this search” banner at the top of the results.
- You can have multiple saved searches.

VIDEO: How to track NOAA job openings with USAJOBS' 'saved search' feature

Learn how to create a saved search and receive new job opening notifications using a desktop computer.

For best video quality, view on YouTube or click the gear icon to make sure you are viewing the video at 720p.

Are you using a mobile device to search USAJOBS? Try this tutorial video instead.

Learn how to create a saved search and receive new job opening notifications using a mobile device.

View video transcript

Transcript for "Creating a USAJOBS saved search" videos

Go to USAJOBS.gov, then search NOAA and select “National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.” Now you will only see results from NOAA.
Next, select filters. Here you can select a variety of filters that apply to you.
- For example, you might be looking for opportunities that are specifically open to students or recent graduates.
  - In that case, you'll expand the section called “hiring path.”
  - You may notice that there is no filter that says “student or recent graduates.” That's because at the time of this search, there were no open positions specific to recent graduates or students.
  - But, if I select “show options with 0 jobs,” those filters appear and can be selected. We suggest clicking “show options with 0 jobs” at the bottom of each filter section to be sure you can see all of your options.
Once you've selected all filters that you choose you can go to “view results.”
Even if there are no results currently, you can “save this search” and receive notifications when jobs matching your search criteria are posted.
- We recommend choosing daily — this is because some jobs have short application windows and you don't want to miss an exciting opportunity.
- Keep in mind that you can have more than one saved search. In this case, maybe you want to extend your search beyond “students and recent graduates.” You could return to “filters,” ‘hiring paths,” and add ‘open to the public.”

Applying for positions

Once you have found some positions you are interested in, you'll need a USAJOBS profile and a federal resume to apply. You should also familiarize yourself with different hiring paths and special hiring authorities that you may be eligible for.

Creating a USAJOBS profile

You need a USAJOBS profile to create saved searches or apply for jobs. Completing your profile can also help potential employers learn more about you.

This section includes your contact information, demographics, citizenship, the hiring paths you qualify for, your experience, education, languages, organizations to which you belong, and references.

More on how to create a USAJOBS profile.

Hiring paths and special hiring authorities

There are several hiring paths that help federal agencies hire individuals who represent the diversity of our society. USAJOBS has a list of all hiring paths, including "open to the public," the broadest eligibility category. There are several more specific paths that may be of interest to NOAA internship and fellowship alumni:

21st Century Conservation Service Corp Act Direct Hiring Authority (CCA DHA)

If you are a recent graduate who participated in a NOAA summer internship or fellowship as a student, you may be eligible to be hired into entry-level federal jobs through a more direct process. Learn more about qualifying programs, eligibility, and how the process works on our 21st Century Conservation Service Corp Act Direct Hiring Authority page.

Application tips: Creating and uploading a federal resume

Federal resumes are different from resumes in the private sector — they are typically longer and require specific information.

Federal resumes are generally longer because they require more information than the typical private sector resume. Make sure you include all required information. Here are a few tips that can help guide you through the process.

Include keywords from the job announcement and use verbs and adjectives that match these keywords (i.e., managed, led).
Be detailed. There is no page limit for most government resumes. Your experience must meet the specialized experience from the announcement to be deemed as qualified.
You must include dates and hours per week you worked for each of your past positions.
You can include paid, unpaid, volunteer, and research experience.
We recommend using the USAJOBS Resume Builder to ensure you don’t miss any information. If you want a specific look, you can use the builder, export the resume, and then format it differently. If you do not use the builder, ensure that your resume includes the information in the guide below.

Information to include in a federal resume

Indicate that you are a U.S. citizen.
Indicate that you are registered for the Selective Service (if you are a male born after 12/31/59).
Education:
- Institution
- Degree
- Date of graduation
For jobs and relevant experience, start with your most recent job and work backwards. For each:
- Job title (job series and grade, if it’s a federal job).
- Duties description.
- Starting and ending dates (month and year).
- Hours worked per week.
- You can include paid and unpaid experience and volunteer work you’ve done. This also includes any research projects you have worked on. These all can help you qualify for jobs.
- Make sure to highlight job-related training, skills, and accomplishments.
- You may submit an unofficial or official transcript from an accredited institution. It must include:
  - Course by number and department (e.g., Bio 101).
    - If the course name on your transcript does not easily identify the type of course, attach a document that describes the course content to make it clear that you meet specific educational requirements.
  - Credit hours for each course.
  - Grade earned for each course.

References

You should plan to submit contact information for two or three references along with your other materials. Together, your references should be able to speak about your skills, character, personality, or job qualifications. Your references could be supervisors from jobs, volunteer or internship opportunities, or professors, teachers, academic advisors, or school counselors.

Ensure you have your reference’s correct and complete contact information.
Ask permission to use your references and send them your resume for them to refer to.

Uploading your federal resume and documents

USAJOBS allows you to save and manage resumes and documents for each application. Consider clicking the box to make your resume searchable so it will be visible to recruiters.

Jobs with NOAA contracting companies

NOAA establishes contracts with private companies for services in support of NOAA’s mission. These contracting companies then hire people to provide the requested services.

Some of these people are “support contractors” (often shortened to just “contractors”), who work in NOAA facilities alongside federal employees. Support contractors fill a range of positions, including scientists, administrators, engineers, technicians, and IT and communications specialists.

Other contractors work in non-NOAA facilities and may engineer or maintain NOAA’s equipment, provide IT or cybersecurity support, or work on specific projects the contracting company has been hired to complete.

Contracting companies are in the private sector and handle their own hiring processes rather than the federal hiring process. To find a job with a contracting company, use “NOAA” as a keyword wherever you search for jobs outside of USAJOBS. NOAA works with thousands of different contracting companies. Below, you can see a list of the top 10 contracting companies by dollars awarded across different NOAA offices.

Top 10 contracting companies of NOAA offices by dollars awarded

Click on offices of interest below to see their top 10 contractors* by dollars awarded in fiscal year 2023. The data for the top 10 lists was retrieved from The System for Award Management (SAM.gov).

*Only contracts over $100,000 are listed because smaller contracts are typically narrowly focused and represent shorter term projects.