meteorologist

program analyst

program manager

management analyst

fellow

National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

in theory, being an observer sounds like a good idea. Practical field experience exploring the beauty of the open ocean. What it really turned out to be is sleeping as often as you can due to the irregular working hours (not knowing if you'd be working on deck for the next 10 hours or what the game plan was). So the pristine beauty turned into hoarding sleep as much as you can. The management team really don't care about you, the individual, they just want you to get days, your safety and well-being be damned. The worst part is that you just don't know when you'll work next because a trip can be set up for you at any hour of the day and you have to be ready to take the trip. So you don't get any opportunity to live your life and the compensation isn't really worth it due to the fact that the work is so intermittent. all in all, the job sucked, the endless hours of not working despite wanting to and not wanting to work because you planned for an event but are unable to make it due to the fact that the weather window doesn't allow for a break to be taken at that time sucked. everything about being an observer turns to ash in your mouth. It will do its best to take the passion for conservation away from you as you are told day in and day out by grumpy fishermen that your job is meaningless. You're the representative of the government to take the brunt of the grief from the fishermen for all the laws they enact impacting their ability to do business. So relations can be a tad bit tense to say the least.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Working remotely from home and having all equipment provided to me needed for the project.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Working along side one of the employees who was not a SharePoint developer but a very good JavaScript developer, was impossible to work with. The problem was that he did everything in JavaScript. This was not best-practice and he over-complicated all of his scripts with no comments. It was impossible to work with this person because he constantly kept reminding me I was there because of him and I couldn't suggest or tell him anything if it contradicted him.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
They had personal not qualified for any SharePoint jobs. Contractors were looked down  upon. Moreover, all contractors were sourced thru one company and I was the only one not affiliated with that company. So I had to deal with negative and a hostile environment.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
There was a morning meeting everyday. We would discuss what need to be done and discuss any requirements that couldn't be meant or any hurdles that required the groups attention. The day would be planned out and you were assigned a task or multiple tasks for the day.

The Pros: Federal job, federal benefits. Access to on base shopping. You sometimes get to see some pretty cool stuff when underway. 

Cons: You're just a number, and treated like you're easily replaced.  Don't like the command(NOAA Corp), don't worry in two years they leave and go back to shore for 3 years to then come back to the ships.  There is good and bad with this. Sometimes you have amazing command, and the junior officers come back as higher ups, and you get to work with them again. However the same is said about the bad. People end up in charge of ships that have absolutely no business running a ship. And every single command interrupts policies they're own way. So one ship will do things one way, and all the others do the same.  So it's a roll of the dice if someone is going to allow you to collect Dirty work, OT, or Penalty pay. It's also a good chance that someone else will take credit for the work you did. 

But like any job out there, you will have good days/years and bad ones. You just have to figure out what works best for you. Sometimes there is very little work, and other times you're pulling your hair out due to dead lines, or trying to get underway. 



Typical day at work consisted of multitude tasks including, but not limited to: data analysis; IT program support; field support; engineering support; project coordination; team, branch, division, center, and outside support; customer requests. Learned many aspects of oceanography, biology, strategy, operations, writing, presenting, development, and more. Management was decent throughout my career, but as any, had it's faults. Co-workers were the best part of the job as they were all extremely talented individuals who were passionate about they're jobs and always willing to help. The hardest part of the job was multi-tasking several different projects/duties at once. The most enjoyable aspects of the job were my co-workers and working with the best and brightest people in the oceanographic and geodetic communities in the entire world as well as learning something new every day.

This is one of the best jobs out there for mariners IF you land on a ship that has room for advancement. If not, I would suggest taking an OS or Able Seaman position only if you're just entering the industry and need experience. If you're already experienced, find something that pays better for the days worked, or offers steady overtime to make up the pay gap. They pay hourly, and overtime is only available sometimes, on some ships. There are no raises, so you have to hope for someone to retire or expire in order to take their position and make decent money. As a mariner I expected to spend 50-60% of my time away from home and still make a living wage. That's not possible here. It's work all the time or you're broke. BUT!!!!! I've never worked with such a friendly, positive, helpful, interesting people in my entire life. Can't say enough wonderful things about them and the ever-changing science groups or college students that come through the ships. My time there will be remembered fondly.

Unique work experience with specialized vendors and technology.
Worked with Agile Team; supported 80% of NCEI Infrastructure
Worked heavily with CentOS & Ubuntu LTS for Desktops
Loved their staging implementation (Git -> Staged/Testing -> Production).
Worked with multiple VM Technologies.
Really liked their Puppet infrastructure and implementation
I really enjoyed learning new and unique technologies.
The Politics and Red Tape was a bit much, but expected at any government establishment.
I personally believe NOAA was making a real difference in the world.

What is the best part of working at the company?
The Silver Spring campus is very close to metro rail so it’s a convenient commute. 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
I found out my contract had been given away to a poorly managed contract holder who didn’t honor my original agreement that I signed 90 days prior. 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Not great. The Feds don’t care for each other much and several of their staff began their careers as stay in school hires so their actual training on professional industries are limited. 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
8 hour day, no time off, and you won’t be treated as a professional.

The two summer internships required by the program were initially in-person, yet given the COVID-19 pandemic emergence, it was transformed to be remote. When required, I was provided with a laptop to access specific software to allow me to work. Apart from being integrated into an office team, the summer internships also included personal development sessions and a final oral presentation to showcase my work's findings.  Daily communication with my supervisor and team members to ensure I was on track and receive guidance when needed. Work environment was great; I was welcome, encouraged and was able to contribute meaningfully to the overall purpose of the offices I was part of. 

What is the best part of working at the company?
Management and employees worked well together to complete tasks while sharing knowledge & details to ensure each mission/task was successfully completed. 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
I was part of the CTI Dep. of Commerce  program and was provided outstanding support. 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
During thar that time of emploment it was mostly remote and became hybrid at the end of my time. 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
We met online as a team and individually as needed.

An excellent scientific agency of the Department of Commerce. NOAA is an agency that does some of the premier science effecting the U.S. economy and the world.

NOAA's highest leadership communicates frequently and well as to where the organization is going; it is done well and frequently.

The Administrator of NOAA is the first female spacewalking Astronaut, and is a well-respected outgoing executive in leading this scientific organization.

I've really enjoyed the varied cross section of highly educated and specialized natural scientists.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Meteorologist 3 salaries reported	$140,351 per year
Program analyst 4 salaries reported	$111,300 per year
Program manager 3 salaries reported	$129,833 per year
Management analyst 3 salaries reported	$97,720 per year
Fellow 3 salaries reported	$55,333 per year

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