Launching Your Career as an Oceanographer at the NGA

Are you looking to apply your scientific expertise to a mission that spans the globe? The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) is currently seeking a highly skilled Oceanographer to join their ranks in Springfield, Virginia. This position is not just a job—it is a critical role in maintaining the Safety of Navigation (SoN) for maritime operations worldwide. If you have a background in hydrography, GIS, and data analysis, the NGA offers a unique pathway to influence national security intelligence.

Job Responsibilities

As an NGA Oceanographer, your primary duties involve the end-to-end management of bathymetric data. This includes:

Receiving and vetting U.S. and foreign bathymetric datasets.
Analyzing, deconflicting, and disseminating data to keep nautical charts updated.
Maintaining high-fidelity metadata for collection source platforms.
Supporting customers by providing analytical intelligence derived from complex geophysical datasets.

Requirements

To be considered for this competitive role, candidates must meet rigorous standards:

Citizenship & Clearance: You must be a U.S. citizen capable of obtaining and maintaining a Top Secret/SCI clearance.
Education: A Bachelor's degree with at least 24 semester hours in oceanography or a related science (such as marine science, physics, or geology), plus 20 additional hours in specified technical disciplines.
Technical Skills: Proven ability to work with GIS and analyze complex geophysical data.
Physical Fitness: Applicants must demonstrate the ability to distinguish colors and shades, and meet visual acuity standards.

Salary and Career Progression

Feature	Details
Salary Range	$57,736 - $101,097 per year
Career Path	Career Advancement Program (CAP)
Promotion Potential	Pay Band 3

Through the Career Advancement Program (CAP), employees at the Pay Band 2 level are evaluated semi-annually. This provides a clear trajectory for salary increases and eventual non-competitive promotion to Pay Band 3.

Benefits

Employees of the NGA enjoy a robust benefits package typical of the federal government, including comprehensive health insurance, participation in the federal retirement system, and opportunities for performance-based bonuses.

Application Tips

Use the Builder: You must use the official NGA resume builder. Do not attempt to upload an external PDF file.
Respect the Limit: Keep your resume to exactly 2 pages. Concise, impactful writing is preferred.
Quantify Results: When describing your GIS experience, focus on the 'so what'—how did your work solve a problem or improve a process?

The position of Oceanographer at the NGA is a rare opportunity to bridge the gap between academic marine science and high-stakes national intelligence. If you meet the criteria and are ready for a career that serves the public interest while sharpening your technical skills, apply via the NGA Careers Portal before the closing date.

Why This Oceanographer (Hiring Event) Job Matters

Shape the future of global maritime safety by joining the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency as an Oceanographer—where your expertise in bathymetry meets the highest level of national security.

Oceanographer (Hiring Event) Job Overview

The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) is seeking dedicated professionals to serve as Oceanographers. In this critical role, you will be responsible for receiving, analyzing, and disseminating vital bathymetric data to support the agency's worldwide Safety of Navigation (SoN) obligations. You will act as a steward of maritime data, ensuring the integrity of databases and providing essential intelligence to customers, thereby safeguarding global maritime operations.

Requirements for Oceanographer (Hiring Event)

U.S. Citizenship is mandatory.
Ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance with access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI).
Must be able to successfully pass a Counterintelligence Polygraph examination and a drug test.
Successful completion of a trial period.
Bachelor's degree in Oceanography or a related field (Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, Geography, Geology, Geophysics, Hydrography, Marine Sciences, Mathematics, Meteorology, Physical Science, Physics, or Remote Sensing) with 24 specific semester hours, plus 20 additional relevant semester hours.
Demonstrated experience using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and analyzing geophysical data.
Ability to distinguish principal colors and shades/hues of principal colors.
Near visual acuity of 20/60 or better (with or without corrective lenses).

Preferred Qualifications for Oceanographer (Hiring Event)

Certification as an American Congress on Surveying and Mapping-The Hydrographic Society of America (ACSM-THSOA) Certified Hydrographer.
Proficiency with industry-standard bathymetric software such as Fledermaus, Qimera, CARIS, or HYPACK.
Deep understanding of chart datum, sounding datum, and tidal variations.
Experience in presenting complex data or technical reports to leadership.
Knowledge of super intelligence (SI) tool integration within operational workflows.

Federal Benefits & Perks

✓Competitive salary within a structured pay band.
✓Career Advancement Program (CAP) offering non-competitive promotion potential to Pay Band 3.
✓Annual performance-based pay increases and bonuses.
✓Potential recruitment incentives for eligible candidates.
✓Comprehensive federal benefits package, including health and retirement plans.

💡 How to Apply Oceanographer (Hiring Event) Job & Insider Tips

Application Steps for Oceanographer (Hiring Event) Job

Navigate to the NGA Careers Portal to initiate your application.
Utilize the NGA resume builder (restricted to 2 pages).
Clearly highlight your experience with GIS and geophysical data analysis.
Include a cover letter to provide additional context regarding your qualifications.
Submit your application package electronically before the closing date at 11:59 PM EDT.

💡 General Tips

Construct your resume to align specifically with the mandatory criteria listed in the vacancy announcement.
Provide concrete examples of your work and the results you achieved.
Ensure your resume strictly adheres to the 2-page limit required by the NGA builder.
Review your application thoroughly before submission, as only electronic submissions are accepted.
Monitor your status through the NGA Careers Portal after submitting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a security clearance required for this role?

Yes. Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI clearance, which includes a polygraph and regular random examinations.

What is the Career Advancement Program (CAP)?

The CAP is an internal program for Pay Band 2 professionals. It allows for semi-annual evaluations and potential salary increases, with the ultimate goal of a non-competitive promotion to Pay Band 3.

Can I submit a PDF resume?

No. You are required to use the NGA resume builder, and your resume must be limited to 2 pages.

What is the most important qualification?

Beyond education, the ability to obtain a Top Secret/SCI clearance is non-negotiable.

Is relocation assistance provided?

Relocation is not explicitly listed as a provided benefit for this vacancy.

Job from National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency

The NGA is a vital component of the United States intelligence community. It delivers world-class geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) that provides a decisive advantage to warfighters, policymakers, and first responders. By working as an Oceanographer here, you become part of an agency that relies on precise, accurate data to protect national interests and ensure the safety of maritime transit across the oceans.