NOAA Office of Program Planning and Integration

This chapter highlights the leadership and staff of NOAA, from its headquarters Corporate Functions and subordinate Staff Offices (SOs) that support the entire organization through service and management functions, to Line Offices (LOs) that provide the delivery of products and services to the public. NOAA has an extensive field structure to meet its critical objectives on a regional and local scale. A snapshot of NOAA’s facilities across the Nation highlights the importance of the agency’s regional collaboration effort, a national network that coordinates assets within and across regions and in collaboration with external partners. The various offices of NOAA collaborate both internally and externally to coordinate the agency’s strategic goals and objectives in partnership with councils, boards, and Federal Advisory Committees (FACs), and through the Executive Decision Process (EDP). In 2010, the NOAA Administrator implemented a new model of management and oversight of NOAA, including a reorganization that aligns its Headquarters structure with the agency’s core functions: science, observations and predictions, and conservation and management. More information on NOAA’s organizational structure is available at www.noaa.gov/organizations.html & www.noaa.gov/leadership.html.

Figure 2-1
NOAA’s Organizational Chart

2.0 – Corporate Functions

The OFFICE OF THE UNDER SECRETARY OF COMMERCE FOR OCEANS AND ATMOSPHERE / NOAA ADMINISTRATOR provides centralized leadership and executive management to NOAA. Headquarters positions and offices include the Assistant Secretary for Conservation and Management/Deputy Administrator, Assistant Secretary for Environmental Observation and Prediction/Deputy Administrator, Chief Scientist, Principal Deputy Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere, Deputy Under Secretary for Operations, Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Fisheries, Office of General Counsel, Chief of Staff , and Office of Policy. These positions and corporate functions are described below.

The ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT / DEPUTY ADMINISTRATOR provides agency-wide direction regarding fisheries and coastal programs. The Assistant Secretary implements the Administration’s stewardship priorities and initiatives and provides general oversight and direction for resource management, conservation, protection, and regulatory activities. The Assistant Secretary chairs the NOAA Ocean and Coastal Council (NOCC).

The ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL OBSERVATION AND PREDICTION / DEPUTY ADMINISTRATOR provides agency-wide direction regarding weather, water, climate, and ocean observations and forecasts. The Assistant Secretary implements the Administration’s environmental observation, monitoring, prediction, and forecast priorities and initiatives, and provides general oversight and direction for satellites, ocean observing, atmospheric, terrestrial, space weather, and related initiatives. The Assistant Secretary chairs the NOAA Observing Systems Council (NOSC).

The CHIEF SCIENTIST provides agency-wide direction regarding research and education. The Chief Scientist implements the Administration’s science, technology, and education priorities; provides general oversight and direction for the agency’s science, technology, and education activities; and provides for the description, monitoring, and evaluation of NOAA’s science enterprise. The Chief Scientist chairs the NOAA Research Council.

The OFFICE OF GENERAL COUNSEL (OGC) serves as NOAA’s chief legal office and assists NOAA’s General Counsel in carrying out the statutory functions of that position.

The DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR INTERNATIONAL FISHERIES advises the Assistant Secretary for Conservation and Management on international fisheries policy and negotiation matters. The Deputy Assistant Secretary consults with the Assistant Administrator (AA) of the National Marine Fisheries Service and Director of the Office of International Affairs to implement activities related to negotiations and policy development regarding international fisheries conservation and management.

The DEPUTY UNDER SECRETARY FOR OPERATIONS (DUSO) serves as an advisor to the NOAA Administrator on all program and policy issues and ensures the timely and effective implementation of directives from the NOAA Administrator. The Deputy Under Secretary oversees LO and corporate functions.

»The OFFICE OF MARINE AND AVIATION OPERATIONS (OMAO) develops plans and administers the use, operation, maintenance, and upgrade of NOAA ships, aircraft, small craft , and associated equipment in support of NOAA’s programs and activities. The OMAO administers the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps.

»The OFFICE OF THE FEDERAL COORDINATOR FOR METEOROLOGY ensures the coordination of Federal meteorological activities, including the review of national meteorological and oceanographic requirements for services and supporting research, preparation of plans to integrate services and research to accomplish national requirements, and management of the interagency committee structure.

»The CHIEF, RESOURCE & OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT (CROM) supervises the following offices.

The Acquisition and Grants Office (AGO) provides a full range of support services for procurement and grants management and serves as the focal point for the administration of NOAA’s programs that ensure compliance with Federal, DOC, and NOAA regulations.

The Office of the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) provides policy, staff support, and services for facilities; environmental compliance; occupational safety and health; emergency preparedness; information systems; civil rights and equal employment opportunity; records and directives management; and audit and internal control activities, including all Government Accountability Office (GAO) and Office of Inspector General (OIG) audits of NOAA’s activities.

The Office of the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) provides policy and staff support for NOAA and DOC related to budget formulation and execution, resource management, financial systems development and operations, and financial accounting.

The Office of the Chief Information Officer and High Performance Computing and Communications (OCIO) implements Federal requirements related to the acquisition, management, security, and use of information technology (IT) resources. The OCIO promotes the agency’s effective use of IT through NOAA’s information architecture; coordinates plans regarding homeland security, continuity of operations, evacuations, and the safety of NOAA staff and facilities; oversees the agency’s Incident Coordination Center; and coordinates the development of NOAA’s IT budget.

The Workforce Management Office (WFMO) develops and monitors the implementation of NOAA’s human resources management, organization management, and diversity management policies and programs, as well as the administration of payroll activities.

The CHIEF OF STAFF is the principal advisor to the NOAA Administrator and provides direct support in formulating and implementing Administration policies and program operations. The Chief of Staff oversees all staff office budgets and related policies.

»The OFFICE OF POLICY reports to the Chief of Staff and provides senior-level policy support, advice, and recommendations on policy planning, direction, and implementation. The Office of Policy serves as liaison and representative of the Office of the Under Secretary, communicating with internal program personnel and external high-level officials at other Federal agencies, the business community, nongovernmental organizations, and state and local governments. This office also serves as liaison and representative of the NOAA Administrator; builds relationships; and assures cooperation with the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Office of Science and Technology Policy, and other agencies. The Office of Policy manages and coordinates policy initiatives, programs, and special assignments.

»The DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF and PROGRAM COORDINATION OFFICE (PCO) provides staff support to the Office of the Under Secretary. This office provides staff support, advice, and recommendations to the NOAA Administrator and serves as a focal point for coordinating and preparing various NOAA reports, events calendars, and management meetings. PCO staff represent LOs and program offices to ensure coordination within the agency.

»The OFFICE OF MILITARY AFFAIRS, which includes the Naval and Air Force Deputies, focuses on facilitating coordination and joint planning efforts with military services and other U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) offices with programs between NOAA LOs and Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO) and DOD on programs of mutual organizational interest.

»The OFFICE OF DECISION COORDINATION AND EXECUTIVE SECRETARIAT provides senior staff support to the NOAA Administrator, Assistant Secretaries, Deputy Under Secretaries, and Chief of Staff . The office organizes meetings of the NOAA Executive Council (NEC) and NOAA Executive Panel (NEP), manages incoming correspondence to the NOAA Administrator and senior leadership, establishes policy and procedures related to NOAA-wide written communications, and ensures LO AAs and SO Directors have opportunities to review materials that concern their organizations or functions.

»The OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (OCEA) provides advice and counsel on media, constituent, and intergovernmental relations.

»The OFFICE OF LEGISLATIVE AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS (OLIA) coordinates all NOAA contacts with Congress and is responsible for the planning, direction, and coordination of legislative and intergovernmental programs.

»The OFFICE OF EDUCATION (OEd) provides 1) education leadership, coordination, and outreach; 2) student opportunities; and 3) competitive education grants and partnerships to advance environmental literacy and promote a diverse workforce in ocean, coastal, Great Lakes, weather, and climate sciences, encouraging stewardship and increasing informed decision making for the Nation.

»The OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS (OIA) advises the NOAA Administrator on international policy issues. OIA is responsible for planning and coordinating NOAA’s international programs and establishing policies, guidelines, and procedures for the agency’s international programs.