NOAA paying $10k signing bonus for mariner positions. Tacoma, Seattle job fairs next week

Looking for work on an ocean research ship? Plenty of opportunities are open with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association and they are hiring in the Tacoma area.

NOAA’s Office of Marine Aviation Operations is holding hiring events in Seattle on Tuesday, April 25, and in Tacoma on Thursday, April 27. Recruiters will be there to speak with potential candidates about open positions in the deck, engine, steward and electronic departments.

The office is looking to hire immediately for some positions. Candidates should bring photo ID and maritime credentials, and could be eligible for a $10,000 sign-on bonus.

The events take place at:

Seattle Maritime Academy, 4455 Shilshole Avenue NW

Tuesday, April 25 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tacoma’s Foss Waterway Seaport Maritime Museum, 705 Dock Street

Thursday, April 27 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

To be eligible to work for NOAA, candidates must be a U.S. citizen. When applying for a position, candidates have a photo ID like a driver’s license or a passport on hand.

The NOAA encourages applicants to also bring the following documentation to a hiring event:

• Merchant mariners credentials

• Maritime training certificates

• Transportation worker ID

• Military service record

Jobs with NOAA are federal positions. All NOAA ships are run by commissioned officers and civilian professional mariners, and technicians operate a ship’s mission, communications and navigation equipment.

NOAA positions and salaries

A list of NOAA’s fleet opportunities show that the following positions with included salary ranges are available:

• First Assistant Engineer: $107,084 – $119,168

• Second Assistant Engineer: $96,564 – $108,120

• Third Assistant Engineer: $86,093 – $97,084

• Junior Unlicensed Engineer: $53,310 – $56,736

• Oiler: $45,387 – $48,300

• Able Seaman: $47,093 – $50,128

• Fisherman: $47,093 – $50,128

• Second Cook: $43,569 – $46,377