Office of the Chief of Staff
NOAA's Office of the Chief of Staff (OCos) provides direct support to the Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere administering the overall operations of NOAA. On behalf of the Under Secretary, the OCoS assures that NOAA offices comply with the policy directive and objectives of the Secretary of Commerce, and resolves major policy and programmatic operational issues affecting those organizations.
The OCoS coordinates activites as a result of executive policy decisions and actions. This includes:
- Developing plans for and coordinates major programs of joint effort.
- Defining the roles and responsibilities.
- Assisgning internal responsibilities for executing NOAA's responsibilities.
- Exercising delegated authority in committing NOAA to courses of action.
The Office of the Chief of Staff provides for the complete 
range of management functions to the Under Secretary's immediate staff of professionals and secretarial employees; directs the assignment of functions, hiring, training, promotions, awards, disciplinary actions, leave, and the broad technical evaluation and review of work. It also assures that an active effort is made to promote equal opportunity for employees, within and outside the organization, through program outreach efforts.
These activities are accomplished through the office of Decision Coordination and Executive Secretariat, Program Coordination Office, Policy Office, and office of Military and External Affairs.
NOAA Chief of Staff
The NOAA Chief of Staff (COS) provides key managerial support to the NOAA Under Secretary in administering the policies and program operations of NOAA, and oversees the development of policies and programs that serve the objectives of the Secretary of Commerce and the Administration.