Summary
Hydrologic Technician performs hydrologic duties to support a Field Office at one of the locations listed on this Job Opportunity Announcement (JOA). The Field Offices are aligned with the Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Division, Operations Department, United States Section, International Boundary and Water Commission (USIBWC).
OPEN UNTIL VACANCIES ARE FILLED, MAY BE EXTENDED/CLOSED PRIOR TO CLOSING DATE. FIRST CUTOFF DATE IS 09/21/2023. OTHER CUTOFF DATES WILL BE DETERMINED AS NEEDED.
Clarification from the agency
Status Candidates (Merit Promotion and VEOA Eligibles), Certain Military Spouses, Former Overseas Employees, Peace Corps and AmeriCorps Vista, Schedule A, certain Land Management Eligibles, Veterans, and the Public.
Duties
- Performs routine water-level and discharge measurements from wells and springs.
- Performs routine field water-quality measurements such as water temperature, specific conductance, pH, dissolved oxygen and alkalinity.
- Observes and notes hydraulic or environmental conditions.
- Installs, maintains, services, and troubleshoots sensing, recording and communications equipment and instrumentation.
- Assists in the construction and removal of gages and supporting structures.
- Operates a government vehicle and ensures safety of vehicle operations, construction materials, and supplies.
Conditions of Employment
- You must be a U.S. Citizen or Naturalized U.S. Citizen.
- STATUS CANDIDATES ONLY: You must meet one or more criteria in the Area of Consideration section.
- You must obtain and maintain a favorable background investigation.
- You may be required to serve a one year probationary period.
- You must maintain direct deposit for your Federal pay.
- You must possess and maintain a valid U.S. Motor Vehicle Driver License, without impeding restrictions, that a U.S. state, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory has issued.
- You must successfully complete a pre-employment medical exam.
- You must be able to lift and carry up to 44 pounds unassisted, 45 pounds and over assisted; and sustain periods of substantial walking, bending, stooping, standing, crouching, stretching, and reaching.
- You may be exposed to viruses and bacteria; upon your request, you may receive preventative vaccinations against Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid Fever, Tuberculosis, and Tetanus.
- You will be required to complete an Immunization Declaration Form.
- You may be required to enter Mexico to carry out official agency business
- You may be required to operate a boat in open water and wading streams, in various types of water and flow conditions.
- You may be required to work overtime.
Qualifications
Qualifications for initial cutoff date must be met by 09/21/2023.
Minimum Qualification Requirement - Applicants must meet all qualifications by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.
Grade Differential: All four grade levels perform a wide range of tasks similar in nature to those described in the listing of functional area duties and responsibilities. At the four lower levels the employee will be assigned work designed to further develop and refine their technical knowledge and skills. Assignments will typically combine productive work with ongoing training and instruction. Supervision received at the four lower grade levels will be closer with oversight and review being provided on a regular basis.
Specialized Experience: Experience that equips the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level.
Defined as: collecting hydrologic field measurements (i.e. stage, level, discharge); installing and utilizing weirs, flumes, or velocity sensors to collect hydrologic data; operating automated hydrologic or water quality sampling equipment such as automated samplers; assisting with analyzing water quantity or water quality data using specialized software; working as a technician or aid in engineering earth, physical or natural science, forestry, soil conservation, surveying, trades or crafts work in maintenance or construction of facilities or equipment related to hydrology, drafting, construction estimating, if it equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of this position.
If you are qualifying based on specialized experience, you must meet the requirements listed below:
For GG-5: 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GG-4 defined as: assisting with collecting hydrologic field measurements (i.e., stage, level, discharge); assisting with installing and utilizing weirs, flumes, or velocity sensors to collect hydrologic data; operating automated hydrologic or water quality sampling equipment such as automated samplers; and assisting with analyzing water quantity or water quality data using specialized software.
For GG-6: 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GG-5 defined as: collecting hydrologic field measurements (i.e. stage, level, discharge); assisting with installing and utilizing weirs, flumes, or velocity sensors to collect hydrologic data; operating automated hydrologic or water quality sampling equipment such as automated samplers; and assisting with analyzing water quantity or water quality data using specialized software.
For GG-7: 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GG-6 defined as: collecting hydrologic field measurements (i.e. stage, level, discharge); assisting with installing and utilizing weirs, flumes, or velocity sensors to collect hydrologic data; operating automated hydrologic or water quality sampling equipment such as automated samplers; and assisting with analyzing water quantity or water quality data using specialized software.
For GG-8: 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GG-7 defined as: collecting hydrologic field measurements (i.e. stage, level, discharge); utilizing weirs, flumes, or velocity sensors to collect hydrology data; operating automated hydrology or water quality sampling equipment such as automated samplers; and analyzing water quantity or water quality data using specialized software.
OR
If you are qualifying based on Education:
For GG-5: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with (a) major study in an appropriate field of science, engineering, construction, or industrial technology, or (b) that included at least 24 semester hours in any combination of courses such as engineering, industrial technology, construction drafting, surveying, physical science, biology, or mathematics.
For GG-6: 1 full year of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent degree, if directly related to the position, related degrees may include agricultural engineering, environmental science or natural resources.
For GG-7: 1 full year of graduate level education or a Master's degree, if directly related to the position, related degrees may include agricultural engineering, environmental science, or natural resources.
For GG-8: 2 full years of graduate level education or a Master's degree, if directly related to the position, related degrees may include agricultural engineering, environmental science, or natural resources.
Special Factor(s): AQuality Ranking Factor (QRF) is a specific qualification an applicant may possess that would enhance performance in the position.
For this position a QRF has been identified as follows: Possess knowledge of conversational Spanish sufficient to converse with stakeholders, landowners, and officials of the Mexican government regarding topics pertaining to the field office mission.
For MP Applicants Only
Time in Grade (TIG): Current or former Federal employees must have a minimum of 52 weeks at the next lower grade level to be eligible under Merit Promotion procedures. An SF-50 must be provided that verifies eligibility as stated in the Area of Consideration section.
For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website: http://www.opm.gov/qualifications
Your resume must have complete information: Please ensure your resume accurately reflects the duties and responsibilities under each position you have held with each employer. In describing your experience, please be clear and specific. It is your responsibility to make sure your resume states complete information for each job entry (beginning and ending dates of employment stated as MM/YYYY; and total hours worked per week). If your resume does not provide enough information regarding your work history for us to make a creditable qualification determination, your application package may be rendered disqualified and you will no longer be considered for this position.
Part-Time or Unpaid Experience: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid work on the same basis as for paid experience. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. To receive credit for such experience you must indicate clearly the nature of the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the number of hours per week spent in such employment.
Education
When there is a positive education requirement, or you are using education to qualify as a substitution for experience, transcripts (unofficial) are required at the time of application to verify that you meet the educational requirement or substitution.
Only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education may be credited. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: https://www2.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html.
Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit:
http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html .
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Once the announcement has closed, a qualifications review will be conducted. Resumes and supporting documents will be reviewed to verify eligibility and determine qualifications. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.
Your rating will be based on the responses to the assessment questionnaire and the information provided in your resume. If a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your rating may be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities. This could cause you to lose consideration for this position.
Your qualifications will be evaluated on your entire application and the extent to which you demonstrate the following competencies and/or knowledge, skills, and abilities:
- Administration
- Applying Technology to Tasks
- Hydrologic Duties
- Interpreting Hydrologic Data
- Safety Procedures
All applicants are required to submit the following documents:
- Resume: You MUST include complete information for each job entry (beginning and ending dates of employment stated as MM/YYYY; and total hours worked per week). If your resume does not provide enough information regarding your work history for us to make a creditable qualification determination, your application package may be rendered disqualified, and you may no longer be considered for this position.
- Completed occupational questionnaire.
- Driver License: You MUST submit a copy of your valid driver license, without impeding restrictions, and issued by a U.S. state, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory. If you do not submit a copy of your valid Driver License, your application package will be disqualified, and you will no longer be considered for this position.
- College transcripts (if applicable): You MUST ensure you submit a copy of your transcripts; if you fail to submit a copy of your transcripts, your application will be rendered disqualified, and you will no longer be considered for this position.
All Merit Promotion (Status) applicants are required to submit the following documents as part of the application package (if applicable):
- Proof of eligibility for merit promotion as described under the Area of Consideration section: Current or former federal civilian employees MUST submit an SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, indicating the title, series, grade, appointing authority, and tenure to verify eligibility for merit promotion appointment.
Veterans' Preference Documentation (if applicable):
- All Veterans: DD-214 (Member 4 copy is preferred), which includes character of service, or for Active-Duty Service Members a certification which includes service dates, type of separation, and character of service. A "certification" is a written document from the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active-duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted.
- Disabled Veterans (if applicable): VA Disability Letter (with percentage of disability) OR document of disability determination from a branch of the armed forces which reflects a compensable service-connected disability rating.
- Derived Preference (if applicable): The spouse, widow/widower, or mother of a veteran may be eligible to claim veterans' preference when the veteran is unable to use it. To do so, you must submit an SF-15 www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf15.pdf and the documentation required by that form. Veterans' Preference: For more information and/or to determine if you are eligible for Veterans' Preference, please visit www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspx (for veterans) or www.fedshirevets.gov/job/familypref/index.aspx (for family members). Below is a website for veterans to gain access to their DD-214 online: www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/ and the documentation required by that form.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
To apply for this position, you must complete the Occupational Questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.
The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 09/21/2023 to receive consideration for the first cut-off for applications. Additional cut-off dates will be determined as needed.
To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
- Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package.
- It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
- To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
- To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete. ?https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12107042
Next steps
Once the online questionnaire is received, you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. Based upon your score, you may be referred to the hiring official. If your name is referred to the hiring official, you may be contacted directly by that office for a possible interview.
You will receive status notifications through Application Manager or via email within 4-6 weeks.
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