As a student studying emergency management, you might wonder about some of the jobs you can get with the NOAA. Also known as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, this is the government agency responsible for watching the weather conditions over the ocean and keeping track of conditions that might impact those living in different states. The jobs available range from those who track those conditions and write reports to those who work in the field and those who come up with detailed evacuation plans.
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Types of Jobs
Emergency weather conditions can include hurricanes, thunderstorms, snowstorms and tornadoes. Many of those weather conditions start over or close to the ocean. Based on wind patterns, those storms can come inland and do significant damage to people and property. This government organization hires workers to create and draft emergency plans for specific areas based on potential weather hazards. You might accept a position that involves going into the field and showing other government branches and organizations the plans they should follow. The organization also needs workers to go out during storms and ensure that people follow the evacuation instructions given to them.
Where You Can Work
When applying for a job with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, there are literally dozens of cities where you can live and work. Many open positions are available in offices located on the East Coast or West Coast, including in North Carolina, South Carolina, California and Washington. Many jobs are also available in Washington, DC, but these positions are more administrative in nature and may not give you the chance to spend much time in the field. You can also search for jobs located near or on the Gulf of Mexico such as Texas, Florida and Louisiana.
Application Process
Like many government agencies, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration uses the USA Jobs website to post open positions. You should create an account with the site, fill out all the appropriate boxes relating to skills, education and experience and upload a copy of your most recent resume. You can then search for all government jobs or only those available with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The site also lets you view jobs open only to federal workers or those open to the general public, and you can search by keyword or location too.
Tips on Getting a Job
The NOAA, which is a branch of the United States Department of Commerce, recommends that you do volunteer work with the organization and look for jobs available to students while in college as well. Emergency management jobs are quite competitive, and you might go up against dozens or even hundreds of other people for the same job. Doing work for the organization as a student shows that you understand how it operates and that you have familiarity with its work. Becoming a volunteer later can help you gain additional experience and hear about openings before those jobs appear online.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration serves a number of important functions, including keeping an eye on potentially hazardous weather conditions and notifying the public of potential emergency situations. To get emergency management jobs with the NOAA, you should consider becoming a volunteer or working for the organization as a student before searching for available jobs.