NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory

USAJOBS - GLERL Job Announcement: Budget Analyst, ZA-0560-3. An announcement for a Budget Analyst, ZA-0560-3 (equivalent to GS-11/12) position has been posted for Ann Arbor or Muskegon to work with the Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory. (This posting also includes vacancies for other locations in NOAA's Oceanic and Atmospheric Research.) The announcement will be open for 7 days, opening on 6/18/2026 and closing on 6/24/2026.

Open to All US Citizens or Nationals.
Job Announcement # (DE): OAR-26-12988857-DE
https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/873550300

Open to current or former Federal employees w/permanent competitive status; OR those eligible under a non-comp appointing authority (e.g. Individuals w/Disabilities, Pathways Interns & Recent Grads who are eligible for conversion, etc.):
Job Announcement # (MAP): OAR-26-12988856-ST
https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/873550200

You must apply to both announcements if you want to be considered for both.

This summer, Saginaw Bay is getting a high-tech visitor! The Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL) is deploying a SeaTrac uncrewed surface vessel from July 29th to September 4th as part of the SHARC (Surface Harmful Algal Research Craft) project. SHARC is a cutting-edge effort to monitor and understand Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) in Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron. Deployment of the SeaTrac will operate out of Sebewaing, MI, with the craft conducting both underway sampling and holding locations far northeast as Caseville, MI. Please stay at least 200 feet away from this freshwater SHARC if you see it at work!

See more details on this exciting field campaign at our blog:
https://www.glerl.noaa.gov/blog/2026/06/11/freshwater-sharc-new-hab-monitoring-technology-to-be-deployed-in-saginaw-bay/

Eyes in the sky! Hyperspectral imagery contains much more information than a visible image. Check out how hyperspectral flights are improving knowledge of Great Lakes winter ice:
https://www.glerl.noaa.gov/blog/2026/04/21/eyes-in-the-sky-how-hyperspectral-flights-improve-knowledge-of-great-lakes-winter-ice/

A new vertical datum for the Great Lakes is coming! The IGLD is the official water level reference system for the Great Lakes, their connecting waterways, and the St. Lawrence River. The IGLD is needed for safe marine navigation, water level regulation, surveying, mapping, shoreline use planning and restoration, and more. In collaboration with its partners, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services released a training video on the new International Great Lakes Datum (IGLD):
https://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/education/tech-assist/training/self-guided-training/training-page.html?id=2&transcrOn=1

The purpose of the training video is to educate users on the current IGLD and expected changes with the new IGLD (2020). In addition to the training, NOAA is conducting a brief survey to gather feedback from stakeholders who use the IGLD or related products, such as navigation charts or observational forecast systems. The survey, which takes about 3 minutes to complete, will help NOAA understand user needs and the potential impact of the IGLD update. Your input will help guide how NOAA can best support users in preparing for these changes.
https://touchpoints.app.cloud.gov/touchpoints/11c71c30/submit

Photo: Surveying equipment at the Navy Pier in Chicago, Illinois. (Credit: NOAA CO-OPS)