Resource Management Careers
Interested in working with marine resources, policies, science, and more? Explore the resource management jobs and career paths at NOAA Fisheries.
Our resource management professionals support and execute the agency’s regulatory mission and domestic and international policy priorities. Resource managers use their expertise to interpret science and apply it to marine resource management and policy. You can explore different resource management careers with NOAA Fisheries, meet some of our resource managers, and learn more about how these roles support our mission. For students pursuing degrees in these fields, consider applying for our internship and scholarship opportunities.
Marine Habitat Restoration Specialist
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What is a Marine Habitat Restoration Specialist?
A marine habitat restoration specialist administers national and regional restoration partnerships. They oversee the solicitation and selection of grants that support projects to restore healthy habitats, from estuaries to coral reefs.
Required Education and Coursework
Most marine habitat restoration specialists have degrees (such as a master’s degree or Ph.D.) in marine resource management, marine biology, ecology, environmental science, or a similar field.
Most have completed extensive coursework and/or research in marine resource management, marine biology, ecology, natural resource management, botany, environmental science, geographic information systems, marine policy, and related courses.
Meet a Marine Habitat Restoration Specialist
Marine Mammal Response Program Coordinator
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What is a Marine Mammal Response Program Coordinator?
Marine mammal response coordinators respond to sick, injured, stranded, or dead marine mammals including whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, and sea lions. NOAA Fisheries works with volunteer stranding networks in all coastal states, coordinated by regional marine mammal stranding coordinators.
Required Education and Coursework
Most wildlife response coordinators have an undergraduate degree in biology, natural resource management, fish and wildlife management, ecology, marine science, or a related field. They may also have an advanced degree (such as a master’s degree or Ph.D.) in one of these fields.
Wildlife response coordinators have completed coursework in biology, chemistry, ecology, natural resource management, marine resource management, fish and wildlife management, and related courses.
Meet a Marine Mammal Response Program Coordinator
Oyster Restoration Coordinator
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What is an Oyster Restoration Coordinator?
An oyster restoration coordinator works with stakeholders such as state and federal government agencies to rebuild and conserve oyster reefs. They also work to ensure that oyster populations are sustainably managed and harvested. Much of their work is in the field, but they also coordinate different organizations’ efforts to oyster reef management.
Required Education and Coursework
Most oyster restoration coordinators have a degree (such as a master’s degree or Ph.D.) in aquaculture, shellfish biology, marine resource management, natural resource management, marine policy, or a related field.
Most oyster restoration coordinators have completed extensive coursework and/or research in aquaculture, biology, chemistry, marine resource management, marine resource economics and policy, and related courses.
Meet an Oyster Restoration Coordinator
Fishery Anthropologist
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What is a Fishery Anthropologist?
A fishery anthropologist works with stakeholders and communities to understand their attitudes on local commercial, recreational, and subsistence fishing practices and policies. They act as conduits between these communities and decision makers to ensure that local perspectives are taken into consideration when developing and evaluating fisheries management policies. They also may conduct anthropological research.
Required Education and Coursework
Most fishery anthropologists have an advanced degree (such as a master’s degree or Ph.D.) in anthropology, fisheries management, psychology, sociology, marine resource management, or a related field.
Most have completed extensive coursework and/or research in anthropology, fisheries science, psychology, sociology, marine resource economics, statistics, and related courses.
Meet a Fishery Anthropologist
Program Analyst
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What is a Program Analyst?
The job of a program analyst can vary widely depending on their area of focus. They may support project planning, develop reports and analysis papers, ensure compliance with agency and federal policy, draft long-term communications and outreach strategies, or review laws and policies.
Required Education and Coursework
Most program analysts have a degree (such as a master’s degree or a Ph.D.) in natural or marine resource management, fish and wildlife management, environmental policy, or a related field.
Most have completed extensive coursework and/or research in natural or marine resource management, fish and wildlife management, environmental policy, political science, statistics, biology, chemistry, ecology, public administration, or related courses.
Meet a Program Analyst
- Zuzy Abdala of the NOAA Restoration Center
Natural Resources Manager
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What is a Natural Resources Manager?
The work of a natural resources manager or specialist can vary widely depending on their responsibilities and their region. They may oversee policy implementation, or they may be out in the field conducting environmental assessments and consultations on endangered species.
Required Education and Coursework
Most natural resource managers have a master’s degree or Ph.D. in natural resource management, international affairs, marine policy, fisheries science, fish and wildlife management, ecology, or a related field.
Most natural resource managers have completed extensive coursework and/or research in natural resource management, environmental policy, international affairs, political science, marine policy, ecology, biology, chemistry, botany, fish and wildlife management, and related courses.
Meet a Natural Resources Manager
Permits Assistant
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What is a Permits Assistant?
A permits assistant helps clients obtain regulatory permits and issues federal certificates and licenses. Permits assistants working in marine resource management may help to issue commercial fishing permits to vessels and processors that fish in federal waters or subsistence fishing certificates to Tribal citizens.
Meet a Permits Assistant
Law Enforcement Professional
What is an Enforcement Officer?
Enforcement officers are the face of NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement. They conduct at-sea and dock-side inspections and patrols and provide outreach and educational assistance to members of the fishing industry. They investigate bad actors to promote compliance with the nation’s marine resource laws.
What is a Special Agent?
Special agents work behind the scenes conducting long-term, complex investigations. This includes working undercover, joining multi-agency task forces, and conducting international operations.
Required Education and Coursework
Many of our law enforcement professionals have associate or bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice, natural resource management, or other science and humanities majors. All attend basic law enforcement training at Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers, field training, and other advanced training programs based on specific job duties.