Oceanographer/Physical Scientist/Geophysicist

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration • Full-time • Honolulu, Hawaii • $131.31k - $170.71k / year • 11h ago

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Open: August 20, 2026 — Closes: September 2, 2026

Summary

This position is located in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Weather Service (NWS), Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC), with 1 vacancy in Honolulu, HI. This position is also announced under vacancy number NWS-26-13035950-DE, which is open to all US Citizens or Nationals. You must apply to both announcements if you want to be considered for both.

Major Duties

As an Oceanographer/Physical Scientist/Geophysicist, you will perform the following duties: Serve as Shift Lead at the Tsunami Warning Center as part of a tsunami and earthquake investigation team. Function as the final decision-maker for the scientific analysis, alert-levels, and dissemination of products during events. Make decisions based on calculations, and interpretations derived from available geophysical and oceanographic data. Utilize interactive and automatic tools to locate an earthquake, determine magnitude, evaluate its tsunami generation potential, and run and assess tsunami forecast models. Perform operational support related to science and technology transfer and conduct applied research. Evaluate new scientific and technological information and tools to apply to increase the effectiveness of tsunami warnings. Function as a technical liaison with academic or governmental institutions to effect beneficial science and technology transfer. Conduct applied research where theories and conceptual models are tested against data to evaluate their applicability to tsunami warning operations. Participate in national and international interactions on tsunami related topics and issues. Interact with participants of the Tsunami Warning Systems on both national and international levels. Communicate with domestic and international agencies and governments. Prepare and present technical and scientific papers for exchanging scientific and operational information. Conduct outreach and staff training. Provide briefings at local schools, community meetings, tsunami training programs, and to partners and the public at risk. Take part in staff training activities on operational procedures and software, science and technology, and maintenance of skills. CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: The work is generally sedentary, though carrying bulky equipment is occasionally required along with some travel. Rotating shift and standby work are required as the TWCs operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. During large earthquakes and/or tsunami events, the increase in workload and the necessity for rapid dissemination of accurate warnings and updates requires periods of highly focused and intense work that may go on for several hours. Large earthquakes and/or tsunami events also often require the incumbent to work longer hours than is their usual shift. Such intense activity and the concomitant high level of responsibility may cause some physical and mental stress. Noise from computer cooling fans as well as from communications equipment in the operations area can be a nuisance. Lower temperatures kept in the operations area for cooling its computers can be uncomfortable and require a sweater or jacket when working there for extended periods. The incumbent may also work several consecutive hours at a computer terminal.