Hydrologist Job in Sacramento, CA

Vacancy No. BOR-CGB-25-DE-12662537-JS Department Bureau of Reclamation
Salary $54,203.00 to $124,988.00 Grade 7 to 12
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 1/8/2025 Close Date 1/22/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Sacramento, CA


Summary

Reclamation is seeking a career professional looking for an opportunity to capitalize on their expertise as a Hydrologist. Make a difference in the West by assisting in meeting increasing water demands while protecting the environment.

Duty Location: Sacramento, California

Duties

The primary duties of this position listed are at the full performance level (GS-12).

  • Simulates complex surface and water storage systems using state-of-the-art computer techniques, mathematical methods, and translating complex criteria into the form of computer code.
  • Designs, tests, and incorporates portions of models into overall model configurations.
  • Develops and maintains surface water models, including a reliable base version, and related data used by the Division.
  • Identifies performance requirements detailing the model input data needed, functions to be performed by models, assumptions which can be applied, output format and analysis needs, and specifications for each model's validation.
  • Prepares schematic designs for configurations and reservoirs, power plants, pumping plants, points of inflow, diversions, gains, return flows, etc., that constitute the water system simulated by a computer model.
  • Develops and documents procedures to be followed by engineers and technicians using the models. Prepares technical reports, prepares and delivers speeches for technical conferences, and submits articles for publication in professional technical journals.
  • Represents the Bureau in a variety of official capacities. Speaks for the Bureau on technical matters which are directly related to the formulations of Regional policy by others.
  • Participates in negotiations with other Federal agencies, State resource management and regulatory agencies, local governments, water districts, Federal water contractors, as well as representatives of Regional office branches and divisions in connection with sensitive water resource issues that are subject to intense scrutiny by interested parties.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

You must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National.
You must be suitable for federal employment, determined by a background investigation.
You must submit a resume and supporting documentation (see Required Documents).
You must submit eligibility documents for veterans consideration (see Required Documents).
You must meet any minimum education and/or experience requirements (see Qualifications).
You must submit transcript(s) to verify education requirements (see Qualifications/Education).
You must maintain a valid State Driver's License at all times as the position requires operation of government vehicles on government and public roads. Failure to maintain a valid State Driver's License at all times will result in removal from the position.

Qualifications

To qualify for the Hydrologist, GS-1315-07/09/11/12, you must meet BOTH the Basic Qualification Requirement and the Additional Requirements. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience. A copy of your unofficial transcripts must be provided with your application.

Basic Qualification Requirement:
A. Degree: physical or natural science, or engineering that included at least 30 semester hours in any combination of courses in hydrology, the physical sciences, geophysics, chemistry, engineering science, soils, mathematics, aquatic biology, atmospheric science, meteorology, geology, oceanography, or the management or conservation of water resources. The course work must have included at least 6 semester hours in calculus (including both differential and integral calculus), and at least 6 semester hours in physics. Calculus and physics, as described above, are requirements for all grade levels.
-or-
B. Combination of education and experience -- course work as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. **Note: Acceptable experience must have included performance of scientific functions related to the study of water resources, based on and requiring a professional knowledge of related sciences and the consistent application of basic scientific principles to the solution of theoretical and practical hydrologic problems.

~AND~

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT
In addition to meeting the basic education requirement, you must also meet one of the requirements for the grade level listed below:

GS-07
A. Specialized Experience: One full year of experience equivalent in responsibility and scope to the GS-05 grade level (obtained in the private, state, or federal sector). Specialized experience includes assisting senior team members in performing hydrologic or hydraulic modeling and/or analysis for studies for a wide variety of projects.
-OR-
B. Education: 1 year of graduate-level education -or- superior academic achievement (Superior Academic Achievement is based on 1) class standing, 2) grade-point average, or 3) honor society membership. Specific requirements are: 1) Class Standing: Upper third of graduating class based on completed courses; 2a) Grade Point Average: 3.0 or higher as recorded on official transcript or as computed based on 4 years of education; 2b) based on courses completed during the final full 2 years of curriculum; or 2c) 3.5 or higher based on average of courses completed in the specific major field of study; or 3) Honor Society Membership: Election to membership in a national scholastic honor society listed in the Association of College Honor Societies, Booklet of Information, and/or Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities (membership in a freshman honor society cannot be used to meet the requirements of this provision).)
-OR-
C. Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education (above a bachelors) and specialized experience (noted in A) may be used to qualify for this position if the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%.

GS-09
A. Specialized Experience: To qualify, applicants must have one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Examples include performing hydrologic or hydraulic modeling and/or analysis for studies for a wide variety of projects and investigations under the supervision of a senior team member.
-OR-
B. Education: 2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position.
-OR-
C. Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education (noted in choice B) and specialized experience (noted in choice A) may be used to qualify for this position if the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the second year (total graduate semester hours minus 36) by 18. Add the two percentages.

GS-11
A. Specialized Experience: One full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility of the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience includes 1) performing hydrologic or hydraulic modeling and/or analysis for studies for a wide variety of projects and investigations; 2) evaluating facility operations; complex hydrologic modelling and data analyses.
-OR-
B. Education: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate.
-OR-
C. Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of high-level education (noted in B) and specialized experience (noted in A) may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the second year (total graduate semester hours minus 36) by 18. Add the two percentages.

GS-12
Specialized Experience: One full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility of the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience includes 1) performing hydrologic or hydraulic modeling and/or analysis for studies for a wide variety of projects and investigations related to flood damage reduction, flood risk management, dam and levee safety, navigation, ecosystem restoration, irrigation and municipal water use and reservoir regulation operation planning and program management, analyzing and calculating flow characteristics; 2)evaluating facility or waterway capacities and operations; complex hydrologic modelling and data analyses; hydrologic risk estimation and analyses; conducting hydrologic extremes analyses (e.g., flood frequency, drought); analysis of the adequacy of water supplies available from surface and/or subsurface sources after consideration of water rights.
**There is no education substitution to meet the GS-12 qualifications.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

You must meet all Eligibility and Qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors if applicable, by 01/22/2025.

Education

This vacancy announcement allows substituting education for experience at the GS-7/9/11 grade level AFTER meeting the basic education requirements (See Qualifications). You must submit a copy of college transcript(s) (unofficial copy is acceptable) to support claimed education if substituting education for experience. Transcripts must include the name of the college or university and date the degree was conferred. A typed list of courses, grades, semester/quarter hours, GPA, etc. will not be accepted. Non-submission may result in being rated not qualified for the position.

This position has a mandatory education requirement. You must submit a copy of college transcript(s) (unofficial copy is acceptable) to support claimed education if substituting education for experience. Transcripts must include the name of the college or university and date the degree was conferred. Non-submission will result in being rated not-qualified for the position.

You will be required to provide official college transcripts to verify educational qualifications, if selected. An official transcript must be sent directly from the University's Registrar's office and must be provided from the institution awarding the degree. Academic transcripts certified by notary publics are NOT official. Official transcripts must be submitted prior to reporting to work as a condition of employment. Failure to submit official transcripts may be grounds for dismissal or rescission of the job offer.

Accreditation: Only education from an accredited college or university recognized by the Department of Education is acceptable to meet education requirements or to substitute for experience, if applicable. For additional info, refer to the Office of Personnel Management and U.S. Department of Education.

Foreign Education: To receive credit for education completed outside the United States, you must show proof that the education has been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education has been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs. For additional info, refer to the U.S. Network for Education Information.

Additional information

You may be required to serve an initial probationary period. Current, permanent Federal employees who are selected from this announcement may be required to serve a probationary period.

Reclamation has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework and you may be allowed to telework with supervisory approval.

If otherwise eligible and qualified, you may be offered a recruitment or relocation incentive. The decision to offer an incentive will be made on a case-by-case basis and is neither promised nor guaranteed. For information, visit: Recruitment Incentive or Relocation Incentive.

Current agency employees may be eligible to receive a referral bonus for recruitment of this position. For information visit: Referral Bonus Awards.

If otherwise eligible and qualified, you may request consideration for a Superior Qualifications Appointment. For information, visit: OPM Fact Sheet.

Related non-Federal experience or related experience as retired members of the uniformed services may be credited towards computing entitlement to leave accrual, at managerial discretion, providing that experience meets certain criteria. This provision allows new employees to earn annual leave at a higher rate than would otherwise be allowed. (5 Code of Federal Regulations, 630). For information, visit: Creditable Service for Annual Leave

DOI uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including applicant rights and responsibilities, please visit https://www.e-verify.gov/

This position is designated as a LOW RISK position. It requires a fully completed and favorably adjudicated SF85 Background Investigation (T1 or equivalent) that is current (within the last 5 years). This is a condition of employment.

Male applicants born after December 31, 1959 must certify registration with the Selective Service System or that the applicant is exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. Go to: https://www.sss.gov

This is a bargaining unit position represented by 2379-National Federation of Federal Employees, Local 951.

Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement.

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.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Category rating and selection procedures will be used to evaluate applications from this announcement. If an applicant meets the basic qualification requirements, his/her on-line responses to the vacancy assessment questionnaire will be used to determine the quality and extent of his/her experience, education, training, etc., for placement in one of the following categories: 1) Best Qualified, 2) Well Qualified, and 3) Qualified. Qualified candidates will be assigned a numerical score on a scale of 70-100. The Category Rating Process does not add veterans' preference points or apply the "rule of three" but protects the rights of Veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each quality category. Veterans' preference eligibles who meet the minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent will be listed in the highest quality category (except in the case of scientific or professional positions at the GS-09 level or higher). The assessment questionnaire will take approximately 15 minutes to complete.

The application questionnaire can be previewed here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12662537

Your answers will be verified against information provided in your resume. Your resume must clearly support the responses to all the questions by addressing experience, education, and/or training relevant to this position. You must make a fair and accurate assessment of your qualifications. If a determination is made that you have rated yourself higher than what is apparent in the description of your experience, competencies, skills, and/or education/training (or that your resume/application is incomplete), you could be rated ineligible or your score could be lowered.

For evaluating the quality of candidates for referral to the selecting official, the following steps will be taken:

Step 1: Applicants will complete an assessment questionnaire, that can take approximately 15 minutes to complete. Based on the applicant's responses, an interim score will be assigned.

Step 2: Human Resources will review applicants' supporting documents, including resumes and transcripts, to ascertain that they meet both the basic and additional qualifications outlined in the 'Qualifications' section.
Candidates that meet the requirements (from Step 1 and Step 2) will move on to Step 3.

Step 3: A Subject Matter Expert Panel will evaluate applications/supporting documents. By utilizing a pre-determined scoring matrix, a score will be given.

Step 4: Applicants will be given a final score which combines the scores from Step 1 and Step 3. Those candidates who score as best qualified will be referred to the selecting official for consideration.
For evaluating the quality of candidates for referral to the selecting official, the following steps will be taken:

Required Documents

Applicants who apply under this job opportunity announcement agree to have their application, associated documents and applicable personal information shared with other Bureaus/Offices within the Department of the Interior (DOI) who have vacancies with the same occupational series, grade, full performance level and in the same geographic location(s). Applying to this announcement does not replace the need to apply to other job opportunity announcements for which you wish to receive consideration. You may choose to opt in of having your information shared with other agencies when applying for this position. If an agency requests a copy of a certificate you are on, you will be notified.

Please submit the supporting documents outlined below applicable to your claimed eligibility status and the position and grade to which you are applying. Failing to submit required documents will result in non-consideration due to an incomplete application package.

RESUME: You must submit a resume that demonstrates how skills and experiences through job duties meet the qualifications and requirements listed in the job announcement to be considered for the job. Each job experience must include dates of employment including start and end dates (month and year), work schedule (full-time or part-time), and hours worked per week. For more information, click here.

TRANSCRIPTS: Required for candidates using education as a basis for qualifications.

VETERANS: If you are entitled to veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of your service which includes character of service. If claiming disability preference, you must also submit the disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Armed Service and the Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, Standard Form 15. For more information, click here.

CAREER TRANSITION PROGRAMS: Permanent Federal employees who are surplus, displaced, or involuntarily separated. You must submit a copy of their most recent performance appraisal, proof of eligibility, and most current SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with their application. To be considered under CTAP/ICTAP, you must be well-qualified (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including selective factors, education and experience requirements) and score at least 85.0 on the assessment questionnaire as established, and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry. For more information, click here.

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.

How to Apply

Applications (resume, assessment questionnaire, and supporting documentation) for this vacancy MUST be received online BEFORE midnight Eastern Time (Washington, DC time) on 01/22/2025. To apply, click the blue APPLY ONLINE button at the top of the page.

Do not submit photographs with the application package. Documents with photographs may not be seen by hiring officials - applicant must remove any images from badges, licenses, etc.

Agency contact information

BOR CA Great Basin Human Resources Office
Phone
916-978-5476
Fax
916-978-5563
Email
mpjobs@usbr.gov
Address
Div of Resources Management
Bureau of Reclamation
2800 Cottage Way
Sacramento, CA 95825
US
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

Upon successful submission of the application packet, applicants will receive a confirmation email from USAJOBS. If this email confirmation is not received by the applicant, the application has not yet been accepted by the system.

After all application packages have been received, resumes and supporting document(s) will be reviewed to ensure applicants meet the basic qualification requirements. Each applicant who meets the basic qualifications will be further evaluated on the information provided in the resume, application questionnaire, and other assessment criteria identified in the "How You Will Be Evaluated" section above. Best-qualified applicants will be referred to the selecting official. After making a tentative job offer, a suitability and/or security background investigation will be conducted. A final job offer is typically made within 40 days after the deadline for applications. Applicants should monitor their status for positions with the Bureau of Reclamation by regularly checking their public status notifications in the USAJOBS profile.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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