Work For Us
NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries achieves its core marine conservation mission through the dedication of a highly-skilled, passionate and diverse workforce. The staff includes scientists, educators, administrative support specialists, web developers, digital content producers, economists, policy specialists and more. The National Marine Sanctuary System is staffed by federal employees as well as affiliates employed by different agencies and organizations, some of which are listed below.
Current Vacancies
Federal jobs with NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries are posted on USAJOBS. Openings may be based at sanctuary field offices across the country or at NOAA headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland.
Other Ways to Work With Us
Many people who support the National Marine Sanctuary System are not federal employees. Affiliate positions may be offered through nonprofit partners, academic institutions, contractors, cooperating agencies, and other organizations that help support sanctuary education, research, operations, communications, and community programs. This list is not exhaustive, and the resources below do not constitute endorsements. Affiliate opportunities vary by site and program, so check partner and organization career pages regularly.
National Marine Sanctuary Foundation Jobs and Internships
You can support your national marine sanctuaries through positions available through the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, the official nonprofit partner of NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries.
Lynker
Lynker is a science, engineering, and technology company that supports important federal missions, including work in marine and ocean science, environmental policy and compliance, and education and outreach. Lynker occasionally has openings that support NOAA programs and may include roles relevant to Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary.
NOAA Cooperative Institutes
NOAA partners with academic and nonprofit institutions across the country to support research and other work that advances its mission. Cooperative Institutes are research partnerships between NOAA and academic or nonprofit institutions that support NOAA's strategic priorities. In some cases, opportunities may be available through cooperative institutes involved in research and other work related to national marine sanctuaries.
NOAA Corps
The NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps (NOAA Corps) is one of the nation's eight uniformed services. NOAA Corps officers are an integral part of NOAA and serve with the special trust and confidence of the President. NOAA Corps officers sometimes work at national marine sanctuaries—operating ships, coordinating and conducting scuba operations, and managing research projects. Officers are reassigned every two to three years, rotating between shipboard and land-based positions throughout the country.
Career Resources
Scholarship Opportunities
NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries supports a variety of scholarship, internship, and volunteer programs for undergraduate and graduate students to gain hands-on experience while pursuing research and educational training in NOAA-mission sciences.
Marine Career Resources For Students
Explore resources for learning about marine careers, building experience, and planning a path into ocean and coastal work.
Exploring Ocean Careers at NOAA Sanctuaries
In this series, we highlight the career journeys of people working throughout the National Marine Sanctuary System. Whether you're exploring career ideas or just love learning about the people who work to safeguard America's premier marine places, these stories offer real-life insight and inspiration.
National Ocean Service Career Profiles
What's it like to work at NOAA's National Ocean Service? Our profiles of NOS employees showcase a variety of specialties.
How to Become a NOAA Diver
Looking for a career that includes working beneath the waves? Consider a career with NOAA! Oceanographers, fish biologists, engineers, maritime archaeologists, and NOAA Corps officers work all over the United States and its territories in oceans and lakes using scuba diving equipment.