NOAA Fisheries Is Hiring

NOAA Fisheries is hiring! USAJOBS remains the only way to apply for federal positions with our agency. However, we will share additional details on this page for group job announcements, including positions with duties that might vary slightly by location. You can also stay up to date through our careers directory and by signing up for notifications with USAJOBS. 

We will also share announcements before they post to USAJOBS, since positions sometimes have a short window to accept applications. They also might close after a certain number of applications are received. We hope the information below will be helpful as you prepare your resume. 

See below for upcoming positions, as well as details on how to apply on USAJobs.

Open Positions

Fish Biologist-Survey

We are hiring with six Fish Biologist-survey positions across multiple duty stations: Anchorage, Alaska; Juneau, Alaska; Kodiak, Alaska; San Diego, California; Miami, Florida; Woods Hole, Massachusetts; Pascagoula, Mississippi; Beaufort, North Carolina; Newport, Oregon; Narragansett, Rhode Island; or Seattle, Washington. As a Fish Biologist-Survey you will perform the following duties:

• Participate in studies on distribution, abundance, protected species, ecosystem processes or similar research, and subsequent post-survey laboratory processing of biological specimens collected during fishery-independent surveys. Collect and oversee sample collections, protected species and fishery observations, and data.
• Support fishery-independent resource operations through survey preparation and mobilization, data collection, demobilization, analysis, and research. Perform quantitative analyses, utilizing statistical procedures and software (e.g., Rstudio, ORACLE, SQL, ArgGIS, Python), related to fishery-independent survey design, assessing sampling gear efficiency, and biological and ecosystems processes.
• Assist in the preparation and coordination of fishery-independent resource surveys. Contribute to aspects of survey preparation and post-cruise efforts, including supply procurement, administrative tasks, and preparation of cruise instructions and cruise reports.

This job is open to recent graduates—individuals who have graduated from an accredited educational institute or certificate program within the last two years or six years for Veterans.

Applications are due by April 20, 2026.

Apply as a U.S. citizen

Fish Biologist

The Alaska Fisheries Science Center is hiring two Fish Biologists to support fishery-independent stock assessment and ecosystem monitoring surveys throughout Alaska. The incumbent will serve as part of the at-sea survey leadership team as a Field Party Chief, Deck Lead, or Watch Lead on bottom trawl, longline, acoustic-trawl, and ecosystem surveys aboard NOAA research vessels and chartered commercial fishing vessels. As a Fish Biologist-Survey, you will perform the following duties:

• Conduct studies on distribution, abundance, protected species, ecosystem processes or similar research, and subsequent post-survey laboratory processing of biological specimens or data collected during fishery-independent surveys
• Collect and oversee sample collections, protected species and fishery observations, and data
• Support fishery-independent resource operations through survey preparation and mobilization, data collection, demobilization, analysis, and research
• Execute quantitative analyses, using statistical procedures and software (e.g., Rstudio, ORACLE, SQL, ArgGIS, Python) related to fishery-independent survey design, assessing sampling gear efficiency, and biological and ecosystems processes
• Prepare and coordinate fishery-independent resource surveys
• Perform aspects of survey preparation and post-cruise efforts, including supply procurement, administrative tasks, and preparation of cruise instructions and cruise reports

At-sea deployments for up to 60 days per year at various times of the year are anticipated with individual trips spanning up to 30 days each. The incumbent will also provide support with the planning, training, logistics, and execution for scheduled survey activities each year. Duty stations include Juneau, Kodiak, or Anchorage, Alaska, or Seattle, Washington.

Applications are due April 16, 2026.

Apply as a U.S. citizen

Apply as a status candidate

Updates to the Federal Hiring Process

The federal hiring process has recently changed. Please review the latest information to ensure you’re ready when it’s time to apply for a new position. 

We will now only accept resumes that are two pages long or less. Applicants with resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. 

You can also answer these four optional narrative questions. They must be written in your own words, without the use of AI, in 200 words or less. 

1. How has your commitment to the Constitution and the founding principles of the United States inspired you to pursue this role within the federal government? Provide a concrete example from professional, academic, or personal experience.
2. In this role, how would you use your skills and experience to improve government efficiency and effectiveness? Provide specific examples where you improved processes, reduced costs, or improved outcomes.
3. How would you help advance the President's Executive Orders and policy priorities in this role? Identify one or two relevant Executive Orders or policy initiatives that are significant to you, and explain how you would help implement them if hired.
4. How has a strong work ethic contributed to your professional, academic or personal achievements? Provide one or two specific examples, and explain how those qualities would enable you to serve effectively in this position.

Application Package Tips

Your application should paint a clear picture to hiring managers of your knowledge and experience. Make sure to include all required documents.

• Transcripts: For all professional ZP positions, you must upload all your official transcripts. If any of the courses listed are not easily identifiable from the course number or name, attach a separate document that includes the course summary.
• Resume: For each position, ensure your two-page resume includes details on how you meet the specialized experience. The experience must be documented in one of your previous positions.
• Cover letter: We encourage you to use a cover letter to highlight additional relevant experience or education that could not be included in your resume. 

Immediate Actions for Prospective Applicants

All applicants should ensure they can still log into their USAJOBS account and update their resume to meet the new two-page requirement and upload it to their account documents. 

• Federal employees: Download your most recent performance appraisal and SF-50s that show your series and grade and that you have 1 year in your grade; upload to your account documents
• Veterans: Ensure your military documentation is uploaded to your account documents
• Applicants with a disability: Ensure your medical verification is uploaded to your account documents

Applicant Resources

Use these tips and resources when applying for positions at NOAA Fisheries.

Stay Up to Date on Job Postings

Search “National Marine Fisheries Service” on USAJOBS and save your search to get updates on new jobs as they become available.

Have Your Resume Ready 

Learn how to create an account, profile, and draft resume in advance on USAJOBS. View the resume requirements for the positions before you apply so you know what to include.

Check Your Time Zone

All job postings and deadlines for these positions will be in Eastern Time. We cannot grant requests for extensions.