Water Resource Specialist Job in Glendale, AZ

Vacancy No. BOR-LCB-25-DE-12652170-NW Department Bureau of Reclamation
Salary $75,783.00 to $118,079.00 Grade 11 to 12
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 12/20/2024 Close Date 1/3/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Glendale, AZ


Summary

Reclamation is seeking a career professional looking for an opportunity to capitalize on their expertise as a Water Resource Specialist. You can make a difference in the West by assisting in meeting increasing water demands while protecting the environment.

Duty Location: Lower Colorado Basin Region, Phoenix Area Office, Program Development Division located in Glendale, AZ.
Full time telework/remote work not available; if selected you will be expected to report to the office in Glendale, AZ.

Duties

The primary duties of this position are:

  • Serves as planner and study manager with the responsibility for identifying general planning studies, primarily related to water development and management through extensive consultation with federal, state, and local water user groups.
  • Participates in water supply and quality related studies and investigations involving municipal, industrial, and agricultural water supplies, water reuse and treatment and conservation.
  • Prepares special reports, study documentation, official correspondence, documentation for meetings and replies to requests and correspondence of others.
  • Assists in the preparation and review of environmental statements, conservation plans, designs, estimates, construction specifications, and appropriate issues related to specific study efforts or programs as needed.
  • Plans, coordinates, and participates in comprehensive multi-agency initiatives. Meets with representatives of various federal, state, and local agencies and other water user groups involved and concerned with the development and use of water resources.
  • Assesses budgetary needs and monitors expenditures and requests funding for Reclamation's involvement in ongoing programs, new initiatives, and activities both from Reclamation's programmatic budget as well as other agencies.
  • Coordinates with technical and administrative specialists from a wide variety of public interest groups, the public, Reclamation staff, and Federal, State, and local agencies.
  • Applies an understanding of a wide range of analytical methods and techniques to assess and evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of water resource programs.
  • Reviews and evaluates water resource plans, programs, and agreements with contractors to verify compliance with contracts, policy, and laws.
  • Prepare scopes of work for cost sharing agreements, grant and cooperative agreements, and contract background information, to establish levels of participation and transfers of funding between 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.
Applicants must meet all qualification requirements and any selective factors, by the closing date of the announcement.

Who May Apply:

  • Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)
  • Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP)

Qualifications

Education/Specialized Experience Requirements: In order to be rated as qualified for this position, the HR Office must be able to determine that you meet the education and/or specialized experience requirement - this information must be clearly supported in the resume.

This position will be filled at the GS-11 or GS-12 grade level. Subsequent promotion(s) to a higher grade may be made without further competition butis not guaranteed or promised. Promotion up to the GS-12 level is dependent upon administrative approval and the continuing need for an actual assignment and performance at the higher-level duties.

To qualify at the GS-11 grade level: Your resume must reflect that you possess one year of full-time specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to at least the GS-09 grade level in Federal Service having demonstrated experience in budget formulation, conducting and monitoring programs that relate to management of water and related resources (e.g., water conservation and reuse, drought, or improved water efficiency), OR experience administering or participating in multi-agency or multi-basin water supply studies and budget formulation.
OR
Education: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree OR 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree OR LL.M., if related
OR
Combination of Education and Experience: You may meet qualifications requirement for this position with an equivalent combination of specialized experience and appropriate graduate education. Graduate level education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position.

To qualify at the GS-12 grade level: Your resume must reflect that you possess one year of full-time specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to at least the GS-11 grade level in Federal Service having demonstrated experience with utilizing water resource conservation principles and techniques to analyze specific needs for new or changed water conservation programs and develop innovative strategies and approaches to implement those programs.

You must be clear when describing your experience, human resources may not make assumptions in determining qualifications. If your resume does not clearly reflect all of the above experience, your application will be marked as ineligible.

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 01/03/2025.

Education

This vacancy announcement allows substituting education for experience at the GS-11 grade level, only. 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 may result in being rated not-qualified for the position.

A typed list of courses, grades, semester/quarter hours, GPA, etc. will not be accepted. If a degree is not yet completed but will be by the reporting date, you must in addition to providing transcripts, provide an official letter (on letterhead) from your university's registrar's office indicating your anticipated graduation date. Non-submission may 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

Probationary Period: You will be required to serve an initial probationary period.

Telework: Reclamation has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework and you may be allowed to telework with supervisory approval. Full time telework or remote work is not available for this position. Selectees must be eligible to telework under the 2010 Telework Act. If selected, you will be expected to report to the office located in Glendale, AZ on a regular basis.

E-Verify: 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/

Background Investigation: This position is designated as a MODERATE RISK Public Trust position. It requires a fully completed and favorably adjudicated Public Trust Suitability Background Investigation (T2S or T2RS or equivalent) that is current (within the last 5 years). This is a condition of employment.

Selective Service Registration: 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

Valid State Driver's License: As a condition of employment, this position requires a valid State Driver's License at all times as the position requires operation of government vehicles on government and public roads. If selected for this position, a driving history records check is required.

Working Conditions: The work is normally performed in an office setting. The work area is adequately lighted, heated or cooled, and ventilated. Some field visits will be required for the purpose of visual inspections of geographic or environmental conditions. Such site visits encounter normal environmental conditions typical of the area, such as extreme heat and cold, precipitation, plants, and animals. Travel occasionally by fixed wing and rotary aircraft is required. Must use prescribed personal safety equipment.

Bargaining Unit: This is a bargaining unit position represented AFGE local 376.

Promotion Potential: If you are selected at the lower grade, promotions may be made at a later date without further competition. However, identification of promotion potential in this announcement does not constitute a commitment or an obligation on the part of management to promote you at some future date. Such promotions will depend upon administrative approval, the continuing need for an actual assignment and the demonstrated performance of higher-level duties. Full performance level is GS-12.

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 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. The assessment questionnaire will take approximately 30 minutes to complete.

Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), the responses you provide to the application questionnaire, and the result of the additional assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following Competencies:

  • Compliance
  • Planning and Evaluating
  • Project Management
  • Strategic Thinking
  • Technical Competence


The application questionnaire can be previewed here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12652170

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, a three-phased process will be used.

Phase 1: Applicant resumes will be reviewed by Human Resources to ensure they meet the basic qualification requirements (see definition of specialized experience). If applicants meet basic qualifications, they will continue on to the second phase.

Phase 2: Candidates who pass the first phase will have their resume reviewed by a subject matter expert against the competencies listed above.

Phase 3: Candidates will be given a final score which combines the scores from the first and second phases. Those candidates who score as best qualified will be referred to the selecting official for consideration.

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.

Required Documents

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 MUST indicate 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 01/03/2025. 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

Nicole Wilson
Address
Lower Colorado Basin
Bureau of Reclamation
6150 West Thunderbird Rd
Glendale, AZ 85306-4001
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.


© 2006-2024, exclusive of U. S. government job opportunity announcements