So if you are coming in to be a Survey Tech there are a few different ways that you could work it. As some one said you can be perm. on one ship as a Survey Tech (or possible Senior Survey Tech) If you do this MOST the survey boats do two weeks underway followed by at least four days in port, for about 180 Days at sea a year. the other half the year the ship is in the home port or in a repair port. ST work generally is to re-calibrate all shipboard sensors, and other data collection equipment, finish cleaning and submitting data from the field season, planning data acquisition for the next field season plus a bit of leave and a month or so of training, then other repair projects on board the vessels. If you take this type of job there is not need to hold a residence as you will not be seeing it much. You will stay attached to the ship in their home port time, it is VERY unlikely that you could work out of a marine center. There is the Relief pool as was mentioned, but that is not really an option for a new hire ST, it is very competitive for STs to get into the Relief Pool. The other option would be to be a physical scientist, which are based in either Norfolk, VA (may be relocated in the next 5-10 years to Newport, RI) or Seattle, WA. These jobs are a little more sought after and generally involve going to sea a few months of the year but not always to the same ship. These jobs are also fairly sought after but come available from time to time. There is also a pilot program on one of the east coast ships that is a rotation for the Physical Scientist, but that is a pilot still so, everything could change but for now I wouldn’t count on this as an option. As with everything in the government it is fairly convoluted on how it all works. You will have to claim a home of record (where your taxes are based out of ) and a Home port (either the home port of the ship or the closest port that NOAA keeps ships to you home of record) The later will be used for flying you home for the 1 Quality of life flight you will be entitled to after your first year working with NOAA, and for any other official Travel (to or from training while on leave). In addition to your base pay you will earn a fair amount in Over time (most people gross 1.5-1.75 times their base pay each year), there will be a 5% matching contribution to a Thrift Savings Plan (you need to be federal employee for 3 years to receive any of the matching funds.) Healthcare is provided at a cost as is dental and vision. Hope this helps
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