Available Positions

The NOAA Office for Coastal Management is recruiting candidates for the 2024 Coastal Management and Digital Coast Fellowship Program. This program’s mission is to provide on-the-job education and training opportunities in coastal resource management and policy for postgraduate students and to provide project assistance to state coastal zone management agencies and other key NOAA partners. The nine fellowship positions start in August 2024 and are available with the California Coastal Commision, the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission, the coastal programs in Connecticut, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Georgia, Maryland, and Washington, and two of our Digital Coast partners, including the Association of State Floodplain Managers (in partnership with the Coastal States Organization) and the Nature Conservancy. Eligibility requirements, descriptions of the projects, and guidance on how to apply can be found on our website and on the attached information.

For the 2024 fellowship, applicants must complete a master’s or other advanced degree at an accredited U.S. university between August 1, 2022, and July 31, 2024, to be eligible. A broad range of degrees are applicable to the fellowship because the projects are varied among the host organizations. This two-year opportunity offers a competitive salary, medical benefits, and travel and relocation expense reimbursement.  

Application packages must be submitted to the Sea Grant office in the state where you received your degree by Friday, January 26, 2024.

The mission of NOAA’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) is to deliver ecosystem science solutions for stewardship of the nation’s ocean and coastal resources in direct support of National Ocean Service (NOS) priorities, offices, and customers to sustain thriving coastal communities and economies.

NCCOS conducts nationwide, multidisciplinary research that integrates a broad spectrum of physical, biological, chemical, and social sciences to inform and guide resource and community managers, while seeking a balance among resource use, economic development, restoration, conservation, and human health. By providing science products and tools, NCCOS helps communities plan for, adapt to, and reduce risks from the multiple challenges facing coastal communities. NCCOS’s mission has never been more important than it is today

NCCOS seeks to hire 2 time-limited employees to support NCCOS field and lab research and monitoring activities at the Beaufort, NC (1) and Oxford, MD (1) facilities. Successful candidates will provide general project support to NCCOS science staff to further the understanding of ecological linkages between coastal environmental conditions, habitats, and species, and stressors such as climate variability.

Qualified candidates should be able to:
• Work in a team environment.
• Carry out limited professional assignments in a technical professional field under periodic technical supervision on all phases of assignments, applying established methods, tests, procedures, and techniques, and recording actions and results.
• Provide preliminary data analysis, statistical data analysis, and report synthesis for characterization and monitoring research.
• Assists other scientific or research staff with priority scientific or research activities and responsibilities including: planning for and assisting with fieldwork related to coastal monitoring; biological sampling and surveys; and summarizing data
• Assist with field projects associated with assessing climate impacts, coastal resilience, habitat restoration, and ecosystem services
• Assist in assessing the relationship between living coastal/marine resources and the physical and chemical aspects of these ecosystems.
• Assist in general laboratory analyses using basic techniques

To be considered for employment, applicants should have:
• A background in coastal or marine biology with experience working in multiple ecosystem types
• Familiar with different field sampling, processing and laboratory techniques.
• Ability to work in harsh environments.
• Excellent scientific communication skills, and a strong, proven ability to collaborate effectively;
• Ability to effectively work collaboratively and independently on multiple projects simultaneously in a self-directed environment;
• Strong oral and written communication skills; ability to effectively communicate with external partners;
• Strong problem solving and organizational skills, and attention to detail;
• Scuba certification preferred.
• Experience in small boat operation and trailer towing/maneuver/positioning preferred.

Application Information
We anticipate that one-two positions will be hired with a start in October 2022, though the start date is negotiable. The position will be for an initial time-limited appointment of 14-months under Schedule A(r), and is potentially renewable for up to 4 years. The duty station will be Beaufort, NC or Oxford, MD. Recent graduates will be hired at the ZP-2 (GS- 9 equivalent) level. Applications be accepted until the position is filled. Applicants should send a cover letter and resume to Tomma.Barnes@noaa.gov and John.Jacobs@noaa.gov.

Extension Associate: The lead role of Extension Associate at the State Climate Office carries a pivotal responsibility in bridging the gap between climate research and public engagement across North Carolina.

Research Scholar: The Research Scholar will support new and existing State Climate Office research projects on heat, flooding, fire, and climate adaptation. This position will also conduct original research using NC ECONet (mesonet) data in support of NC state agencies, local and city officials, and other consumers.