Position Descriptions
Players can play any number of positions onboard Starfeet, Rebel, Romulan, and Civilian ships and bases. The most common positions are listed below, though note that you are not limited to these positions:
Operations
The Operations (Ops) department is responsible for efficiently allocating the resources of the duty station. They are constantly in contact with all other departments. Duties include assigning docking space for visiting ships: ensuring that replicators are sufficiently stocked; keeping an accurate inventory of cargo holds; making sure that all other departments have the equipment they need. The Ops department essentially makes sure that the duty station has the resources it needs to carry out its missions and daily functions. The head of the department is called the Chief Operations Officer (COO), Chief of Operations, or Operations Manager (OM).
Canon examples: Data; Chief Miles O’Brien
Engineering
The Engineering department is tasked with making sure that the vast technological marvels of the duty station function properly. They are often called upon to find ways to stretch systems well beyond their designed functions. At its most intensive, engineers are called upon to immediately design solutions to previously unfaced challenges. They are often considered the deus ex machina of their duty station. The head of the department is called the Chief Engineer.
Canon examples: Montgomery “Scotty” Scott, Geordi La Forge.
Science
The Science department is responsible for collecting and analyzing gathered data in the course of the duty station’s exploration. They are responsible for classifying discovered planets and species; analyzing flora, fauna, and geological samples; and reporting on their findings. Science officers are usually the ones operating the tricorders. The head of the department is the Chief Science Officer (CSO).
Canon examples: Spock, Jadzia Dax
Security
The Security department is charged with maintaining law and order on the duty station. They are responsible for enforcing Federation law; manning the brig; keeping accurate inventory of the DS armory; and ensuring the general safety of the crew within the duty station. Ultimately their job is to keep the good guys in and the bad guys out or locked up. They are the police officers of the duty station and serve as a line of defense against invaders. The head of the Security department is referred to as the Chief Security Officer (CSO), Chief of Security, or Security Chief.
Canon examples: Worf, Tuvok
Counselor
The Counseling department is a specialized sub-department of the Medical department. Counselors are responsible for the psychological and emotional well-being of the crew. Their duties include initiating psychological counseling sessions with crew mates; determining whether crew members are emotionally fit for duty; and monitoring the overall morale of the crew. They are also often times assigned to attend diplomatic meetings. The head of the counseling department is the Chief Counselor.
Canon examples: Deanna Troi
Medical
The Medical department is responsible for the physical well-being of the crew. The duties of a medical officer include manning and maintaining sickbay; tending to sick and injured patients; and determining whether crew members are physically fit for duty. They are often called upon to work with the Science department to find cures for new and exotic diseases. The head of the medical department is the Chief Medical Officer (CMO)
Canon examples: Dr. Leonard “Bones” McCoy, Dr. Beverly Crusher
Helm
Helm officers are members of the bridge crew. Simply put, the helm officers are the starship pilots of each duty station. While many duty stations center around a stationary deep space station, they are supported by one or more starships. These serve as diplomatic and exploratory vessels as well as providing additional military might to the duty station. It is the duty of the helm officer to plot courses and warp speeds and carry out evasive maneuvers. When the starship is docked with it’s parent station, it is the duty of the helm officer to keep the ship in a state of readiness.
Canon examples: Hikaru Sulu.
Tactical
Tactical officers are members of the bridge crew. They man the tactical panel during combat. The duties of a tactical officer are to detect weaknesses in enemy vessels; initiate firing solutions; monitor shield generator status; and monitor armament status.
Intelligence
Intelligence officers assigned to a duty station are not undercover spies. They may, however, be called upon to interpret information gathered from the field as well as sensor scans. Intelligence officers are expected to be well versed in both foreign and domestic events, diplomatic issues, resources, and military movement.
Marines
The Federation Marine Corps (FMC) serves as the personal combat forces of the duty station. It is consists of two divisions: the Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) and the Marine Aerospace Unit (MAU). While both these forces are part of the FMC, the term “Marine” is usually used to describe members of the Marine Expeditionary Force. The duty of a Marine officer is to serve as offensive units; board and take over enemy ships; and aide Security in defensive maneuvers. They are essentially the infantry units of the duty station.
Fighter Pilots
These specialized units serve in the Marine Aerospace Unit (MAU) of the
FMC. They pilot small, single-occupant craft designed for maneuverability
in dogfight scenarios in both planetary and space settings. They are also
often called upon to pilot shuttlecraft and runabouts on away missions.
