Division Chiefs

Joshua Murphy serves as the acting chief of the Science and Geospatial Services Division at NOAA’s Office for Coastal Management. He directs the office’s efforts in geospatial data and product development, applied science, and coastal socioeconomics. He also leads the Digital Coast Partnership and its associated web platform.

With over 25 years of experience helping communities use and apply place-based information to address coastal issues, all within NOAA’s Office for Coastal Management and the former Coastal Services Center, Murphy possesses extensive knowledge and experience in geographic information systems (GIS). For nearly a decade, he supported the Coastal Services Center’s geospatial training efforts, where he was responsible for developing and delivering several popular instructor-led courses that helped users apply NOAA’s coastal data and tools. In 2009, he served as the first operational lead for the Digital Coast effort, a role he reprised several times over the subsequent15 years. Most recently, Murphy managed the office’s Learning Product Development Program, where he led efforts in developing adult-focused learning resources to enhance coastal community resilience.

Murphy holds a bachelor’s degree in geography, with a focus on GIS, from Pennsylvania State University.