SURVEY TECHNICIAN Job

Vacancy No. CERG25464774282 Department U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Salary $40,332.00 to $96,116.00 Grade 5 to 11
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 2/24/2025 Close Date 3/10/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Status Candidates
Locations:
New Orleans, LAVidalia, LA


Summary

About the Position: Serves as a Survey Technician conducting various types of field surveys utilizing multiple equipment platforms, processing collected data, and presenting data in the required formats for delivery to end users.

*There are three positions to be filled. These positions may be filled in either New Orleans, LA, or at the Old River Complex, Simmesport, LA.

Duties

  • Provide field surveys, troubleshoot systems/equipment and a variety of complex problems, interfacing with internal and external stakeholders.
  • Develop scopes of work and estimate level of effort to collect surveys, schedule field work, organize/maintain survey related data.
  • Utilize analytical and diagnostic techniques, qualitative and quantitative techniques, and related emerging practices and methods to provide advice on technical services.
  • Survey field conditions to obtain topographic/hydrographic information for project incorporation into plans.
  • Produce and review survey data processing, survey data quality control checks, mapping, modeling, and metadata.
  • Develops detailed government estimates including labor rates, hours of effort, per diem, supplies, and vehicle costs.
  • Utilize historical data research, geodetic control questions, logistics, supplies, travel, standard operating procedures (SOPs), estimates, and scope of work questions to deliver field surveys.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
  • Moderate to heavy lifting is required.
  • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Boat License required to be obtained/maintained.
  • Valid Driver's License is required.
  • Pre-employment and recurring physical exam required.
  • Pre-employment and recurring drug testing required.
  • Level III certification from the National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS) Certified Survey Technician (CST) certification program.
  • Position requires the use of personally-protective-equipment (PPE) such as hard hats, steel-toed boots, eye protection, and a respirator in emergencies.
  • Relocation/PCS NOT authorized.
  • Recruitment/Relocation/Retention Incentives NOT authorized.
  • See other requirements below.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: Only applicants who meet one of the employment authority categories below are eligible to apply for this job. You will be asked to identify which category or categories you meet, and to provide documents which prove you meet the category or categories you selected. See Proof of Eligibility for an extensive list of document requirements for all employment authorities.
  • Current Department of Army Civilian Employees
  • Domestic Defense Industrial Base/Major Range and Test Facilities Base Civilian Personnel Workforce
  • Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan
  • Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act
  • Military Spouses, under Executive Order (E.O.) 13473
  • People with Disabilities, Schedule A
  • Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technician Eligible
  • Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible
  • Priority Placement Program, DoD MR and NG Preference Eligible Tech Receiving Disability Retirement
  • Priority Placement Program, DoD Retained Grade Preference Eligible
  • Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) of 1998


In order to qualify, you must meet the education and experience requirements described below. 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.

GS-5
Specialized Experience: I have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-04 grade level in the Federal service which includes meeting one of the following: 1) Work on a survey team; 2) Utilize survey equipment such as Global Positioning Systems (GPS), Real Time Kinematic Systems (RTK) and/or other survey equipment; 3) Utilize Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and/or other specialized systems such as Terrestrial Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR), etc.; 4) review survey field data for accuracy; 5) Conducting various types of field surveys utilizing multiple equipment platforms; 6) Apply knowledge of mapping and/or survey techniques; and 7)reviewing contractor submittals and/or survey data.
OR
Education: I have completed a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree from an accredited or pre-accredited institution (a) with major study in an appropriate field of surveying, engineering, construction, or industrial technology; OR (b) that included at least 24 semester hours in any combination of the following courses: surveying, engineering, industrial technology, construction, physics, drafting, forestry, geography, navigation, cartography, physical science, or mathematics.
OR
Combination of Education and Experience: I have the specialized experience as described in A, but less than one year; and I have some education leading to a bachelor's degree but less than required in B. I have computed the percentage of the requirements that I meet, and the total is at least 100% (To compute the percentage, divide your total months of qualifying experience by 12. Then, divide your semester hours of education beyond two years (total semester hours minus 60) by 60. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100% to qualify.). (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.)

GS-6
Specialized Experience: I have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service which includes meeting two of the following: 1) Work on a survey team; 2) Utilize survey equipment such as Global Positioning Systems (GPS), Real Time Kinematic Systems (RTK) and/or other survey equipment; 3) Utilize Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and/or other specialized systems such as Terrestrial Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR), etc.; 4) review survey field data for accuracy; 5) Conducting various types of field surveys utilizing multiple equipment platforms; 6) Apply knowledge of mapping and/or survey techniques; and 7)reviewing contractor submittals and/or survey data.
OR
Education: I have successfully completed one semester (9 semester credits) of graduate level education in a field directly related to the work of the position, such as surveying technology. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.)
OR
Combination of Education and Experience: I have the specialized experience as described in A, but less than one year; and I have some graduate level education as described in B, but less than the required one year. I have computed the percentage of the requirements that I meet, and the total is at least 100% (To compute the percentage, divide your total months of qualifying experience by 12. Then, divide your semester hours of graduate education by 18. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100% to qualify.). (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.)

GS-7
Specialized Experience: I have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-06 grade level in the Federal service which includes meeting three of the following: 1) Work on a survey team; 2) Utilize survey equipment such as Global Positioning Systems (GPS), Real Time Kinematic Systems (RTK) and/or other survey equipment; 3) Utilize Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and/or other specialized systems such as Terrestrial Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR), etc.; 4) review survey field data for accuracy; 5) Conducting various types of field surveys utilizing multiple equipment platforms; 6) Apply knowledge of mapping and/or survey techniques; and 7)reviewing contractor submittals and/or survey data.
OR
Education: I have successfully completed one full academic year of graduate level education in a field directly related to the work of the position, such as surveying technology. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.)
OR
Combination of Education and Experience: I have the specialized experience as described in A, but less than one year; and I have some graduate level education as described in B, but less than the required one year. I have computed the percentage of the requirements that I meet, and the total is at least 100% (To compute the percentage, divide your total months of qualifying experience by 12. Then, divide your semester hours of graduate education by 18. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100% to qualify.). (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.)

Education

GS-8
Specialized Experience: I have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service which includes four of the following: 1) Work on a survey team; 2) Utilize survey equipment such as Global Positioning Systems (GPS), Real Time Kinematic Systems (RTK) and/or other survey equipment; 3) Utilize Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and/or other specialized systems such as Terrestrial Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR), etc.; 4) review survey field data for accuracy; 5) Conducting various types of field surveys utilizing multiple equipment platforms; 6) Apply knowledge of mapping and/or survey techniques; and 7)reviewing contractor submittals and/or survey data.
OR
Education: I have successfully completed one and a half years (i.e., 27 semester hours) of graduate level education in a field directly related to the work of the position, such as surveying technology. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.)
OR
Combination of Education and Experience: I have the specialized experience as described in A, but less than one year; and I have some graduate level education as described in B, but less than the required one and a half years. I have computed the percentage of the requirements that I meet, and the total is at least 100% (To compute the percentage, divide your total months of qualifying experience by 12. Then, divide your semester hours of graduate education beyond the first year (total semester hours minus 18) by 9. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100% to qualify.). (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.)

GS-9
Specialized Experience: I have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-08 grade level in the Federal service which includes five of the following: 1) Work on a survey team; 2) Utilize survey equipment such as Global Positioning Systems (GPS), Real Time Kinematic Systems (RTK) and/or other survey equipment; 3) Utilize Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and/or other specialized systems such as Terrestrial Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR), etc.; 4) review survey field data for accuracy; 5) Conducting various types of field surveys utilizing multiple equipment platforms; 6) Apply knowledge of mapping and/or survey techniques; and 7)reviewing contractor submittals and/or survey data.
OR
Education: I have a master's or equivalent graduate degree or full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree; only in those instances where it is directly related to the work of the position. Transcripts must be attached.
OR
Combination of Education and Experience: I have the specialized experience as described in A, but less than one year; and I have more than one year but less than the required education in B. I have computed the percentage of the requirements that I meet, and the total is at least 100% (To compute the percentage, divide your total months of qualifying experience by 12. Then divide your semester hours of graduate by 18. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.)

GS-10
Specialized Experience:
I have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service which includes meeting six of the following: 1) Work on a survey team; 2) Utilize survey equipment such as Global Positioning Systems (GPS), Real Time Kinematic Systems (RTK) and/or other survey equipment; 3) Utilize Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and/or other specialized systems such as Terrestrial Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR), etc.; 4) review survey field data for accuracy; 5) Conducting various types of field surveys utilizing multiple equipment platforms; 6) Apply knowledge of mapping and/or survey techniques; and 7)reviewing contractor submittals and/or survey data.
OR
Education: I have one year of education above a master's degree leading towards a Ph.D. or equivalent leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work of the position. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.)
OR
Combination of Education and Experience: I have the specialized experience as described in A, but less than one year; and I have more than one year but less than the required education in B. I have computed the percentage of the requirements that I meet, and the total is at least 100% (To compute the percentage, divide your total months of qualifying experience by 12. Then divide your semester hours of graduate by 18. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.)

Additional information

GS-11
Specialized Experience: I have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-10 grade level in the Federal service which includes meeting all of the following: 1) Work on a survey team; 2) Utilize survey equipment such as Global Positioning Systems (GPS), Real Time Kinematic Systems (RTK) and/or other survey equipment; 3) Utilize Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and/or other specialized systems such as Terrestrial Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR), etc.; 4) review survey field data for accuracy; 5) Conducting various types of field surveys utilizing multiple equipment platforms; 6) Apply knowledge of mapping and/or survey techniques; and 7)reviewing contractor submittals and/or survey data.
OR
Education: I have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, related to position. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.)
OR
Combination of Education and experience: I have a combination of education and experience 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. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.)

You will be evaluated on the basis of your level of competency in the following areas:

Time in Grade Requirement: Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent (GS-04 for GS-05; GS-05 for GS-06; GS-06 for GS-07; GS-07 for GS-08; GS-08 for GS-09; GS-09 for GS-10; GS-10 for GS-11).

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

  • Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration
  • You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
  • One year trial/probationary period may be required.
  • Direct deposit of pay is required.
  • Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
  • If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet.
  • This is a Construction, Engineering, Infrastructure Career Field position.
  • Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
  • Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
  • Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is not authorized, based on a determination that a PCS move is not in the Government interest.

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.

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

You should list any relevant performance appraisals and incentive awards in your resume as that information may be taken into consideration during the selection process. If selected, you may be required to provide supporting documentation.

You may claim Military Spouse preference.

Military Spouse Preference (MSP) applicants will receive preference consideration and will be placed (if selected) at the highest grade for which they have applied and are determined best qualified, up to and including the full performance level.

You may claim Priority Placement Program (PPP) preference.

DoD Priority Placement Program (PPP) Applicants will receive preference consideration at the full-performance grade level only.

Only MSP/PPP applicants currently occupying a formal training program position are entitled to exercise their priority status.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP). If you are a federal employee in the competitive service and your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority for this position. To receive selection priority, you must: (1) meet ICTAP eligibility criteria (2) be rated well-qualified for the position and; (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your ICTAP eligibility. To be considered well-qualified and receive selection priority applicants must satisfy all qualification requirements for the position and receive a score of 90 or above. Additional information about the program is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website.

Required Documents

The documents you are required to submit vary based on the authority you are using to apply (i.e., applying as a veteran, applying as a current permanent Federal employee, applying as a reinstatement, etc). Please review the following links to see which documents you need to provide to prove your eligibility to apply: Applicant Checklist for Internal/Merit Promotion Announcements.

As described above, your complete application includes your resume, your responses to the online questionnaire, and documents which prove your eligibility to apply. If you fail to provide these documents, you will be marked as having an incomplete application package and you will not be considered any further.

1. Your resume:

  • Your resume may be submitted in any format and must support the specialized experience described in this announcement.
  • If your resume includes a photograph or other inappropriate material or content, it will not be used to make eligibility and qualification determinations and you may not be considered for this vacancy.
  • For qualifications determinations your resume must contain hours worked per week and the dates of employment (i.e., HRS per week and month/year to month/year or month/year to present). If your resume does not contain this information, your application will be marked as incomplete and you will not receive consideration for this position.
  • For additional information see: What to include in your resume.

2. Other supporting documents:
  • Cover Letter, optional
  • Most recent Performance Appraisal, if applicable
  • Proof of Eligibility to Apply: Your application must include the documents which prove you are eligible to apply for the vacancy. The Proof of Eligibility document describes authorities commonly used in merit promotion recruitment and what document(s) are required to prove you meet the requirements of the authority. You must meet the requirements of at least one of the authorities listed in the Who May Apply section above to receive further consideration.
  • Time-in-grade documentation: If you are applying for a higher grade and your SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you meet the one year time-in-grade requirement so you will need to provide an SF-50 which clearly demonstrates you meet the time-in-grade requirements (examples of appropriate SF-50s include Promotions, Within-grade Grade/Range Increases, and SF-50s with an effective date more than one year old).
  • This position has an individual occupational requirement and/or allows for substitution of education for experience. If you meet this requirement based on education, you MUST submit a copy of your transcript with your application package or you will be rated ineligible. See: Transcripts and Licenses

  • NOTE: Documents submitted as part of the application package, to include supplemental documents, may be shared beyond the Human Resources Office. Some supplemental documents such as military orders and marriage certificates may contain personal information for someone other than you. You may sanitize these documents to remove another person's personal information before you submit your application. You may be asked to provide an un-sanitized version of the documents if you are selected to confirm your eligibility.

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

To apply for this position, you must complete the online questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.

The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 03/10/2025 to receive consideration.

  • To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application (https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12691719).
  • Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
  • After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
  • You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
  • It is your responsibility to verify that your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) is complete, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan.
  • Additional information on how to complete the online application process and submit your online application may be found on the USA Staffing Applicant Resource Center.
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.

Agency contact information

Army Applicant Help Desk
Address
RG-W2R902 US ARMY ENGINEER DISTRICT-NEW ORLEANS
DO NOT MAIL
New Orleans, LA 70118
US

Next steps

If you provided an email address, you will receive an email message acknowledging receipt of your application. Your application package will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking for this position. If you are determined to be ineligible or not qualified, your application will receive no further consideration.


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


© 2006-2025, exclusive of U. S. government job opportunity announcements