These positions are on the Snow Survey staff located in the NRCS Colorado State Office or the NRCS New Mexico State Office. The incumbent serves as a Hydrologist, assisting in the complete range of snow survey and water supply forecast activities conducted within the assigned jurisdiction.

Duties

Collects hydro-meteorological data; conducts data observations, ensures data accuracy and maintains current and accessible automated snow course, streamflow, precipitation, and reservoir data files. Utilizes Geographic Positioning Systems (GPS) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to develop and disseminate snow survey and water supply products. Performs data collection, verification, processing and archival of data to include snow, precipitation, stream flow, reservoir, soil moisture, wind, solar, humidity. Generates and develops snow survey products. Develops and maintains working relationships with local partners. Monitors site performance and data quality to assist in establishing maintenance work loads and setting priorities. Participates in the installation and maintenance of snow courses and SNOTEL sites within the Data Collection Office area of responsibility. Prepares Basin Outlook Reports, including data collection and entry into databases, data validation, arranges printing and mailing. Performs snow surveys on snow machine and on foot. Serves as a specialized technical expert responsible for the management of data and installation and maintenance of data sites.

Requirements

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check. If selected, you will be sent instructions on obtaining fingerprints. Please note we are not able to reimburse fees incurred for fingerprints.
• Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served.
• Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify at https://www.e-verify.gov/.
• Must possess and maintain a valid state motor vehicle operator's license.
• This position requires the safe operation of various vehicles including pick-ups and 1-ton trucks, SUVs, 4-wheel drives, ATVs and snow machines.
• Must pass an annual physical exam including a baseline treadmill cardiovascular stress test upon employment.
• To perform the duties of this position, the incumbent must serve as an incidental motor vehicle operator.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. Time in grade: Current federal employees applying for a promotion must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirements of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progressing for the position being filled. (e.g., one year at the GS-7 grade level for consideration for the GS-9 grade level). Basic Education Requirement: 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 Combination of Education and Experience: Combination of education and experience: At least 30 semester hours in one or more of the disciplines shown above, including at least 6 semester hours in calculus (including both differential and integral calculus), and a plus appropriate experience or additional education. Evaluation of Experience: 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. The following is illustrative of acceptable experience: field or laboratory work that would require application of hydrologic theory and related sciences such as geology, geo-chemistry, geophysics, or civil engineering to making observations, taking samples, operating instruments, assembling data from source materials, analyzing and interpreting data, and reporting findings orally and in writing. In some cases, professional scientific experience that is not clearly water resource experience may be acceptable if such experience was preceded by appropriate education in hydrology or by professional hydrology experience. Applicants with related experience in hydrology gained through earlier Federal Government employment might have gained that experience in one or more occupational series. Such series include Soil Conservation, GS-457; Forestry, GS-460; Soil Science, GS-470; Civil Engineering, GS-810; Chemistry, GS-1320; Meteorology, GS-1340; and Geology, GS-1350. Comparable non-Federal experience may be given similar credit. In addition to meeting one of the Basic Requirements listed above, applicants must meet the following Minimum Qualifications Requirement to be considered: Specialized Experience to qualify for the GS-09 level: You must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 level or higher in the Federal service (or private sector equivalent) demonstrating experience and knowledge of hydrologic principles and concepts to perform statistical analyses and deterministic evaluations of data collected and analyzed; compare data across basins and watersheds; determine water supply factors for input into basin-specific water supply forecasts; and perform limited analyses to review basin, watershed, and regional relationships on SNOTEL-measured parameters. Examples of specialized experience is defined as the following: Ensuring that data observations are conducted in a timely manner and the data is accurate. Assisting the snow survey staff in data collection. Participating in the installation and maintenance of snow courses and SNOTEL sites. Performing data collection and entry into databases. OR Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience for the GS-09 level: a master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a such a degree of LL.B. or J.D., if related; OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of graduate-level education and experience, as described above, may be used to qualify for this position. This combination must have equipped you with the necessary knowledge and/or experience to successfully perform the duties of this position. Combinations of experience and education must total at least 100% as outlined in OPM Qualifications policy. In addition to meeting one of the Basic Requirements listed above, applicants must meet the following Minimum Qualifications Requirement to be considered: Specialized Experience: To qualify for the GS-11 level, you must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level or higher in Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. This experience includes research on water and water resources; the collection, measurement, analysis, and interpretation of information on water resources; the forecast of water supply and water flows; and the development of new, improved or more economical methods, techniques, and instruments. Examples of specialized experience is defined as the following: Collecting, evaluating and analyzing data for hydrologic investigation. Evaluating data to make recommendations related to water supply forecasting efforts. Installing, calibrating, operating and maintaining sensors used to collect hydro meteorological data. Providing technical assistance in the data collection of snow water content, snow depth, precipitation, streamflow, soil moisture, etc. OR Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience: for the GS-11 level: 3 year(s) of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in 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 including at least 6 semester hours in calculus (including both differential and integral calculus), and at least 6 semester hours in physics. OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of graduate-level education and experience, as described above. This combination must have equipped you with the necessary knowledge and/or experience to successfully perform the duties of this position. Combinations of experience and education must total at least 100% as outlined in OPM Qualifications policy. For more information on the qualifications for this position, click here: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=GS-PROF 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 and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
You must submit a copy of your college transcripts or a list of college courses with credit hours, dates completed, and grades received to verify all education requirements (i.e. substitution of education and/or basic education requirement). If a relevant course is not clearly qualifying (e.g. special topic, seminar, research, thesis, obscure or misleading course title, etc.), please submit an official course syllabi and/or detailed course description from the university/college for that particular course to ensure you are properly evaluated. Please note that qualifications determinations are based solely on the information submitted for each particular vacancy announcement. You must document all requirements on every vacancy; we cannot use previous determinations as a basis for rating. All required information must be received by the closing date of this announcement, and non-submission of all required documents/documentation will result in non-consideration. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted. This information must be received by the closing date of this announcement. Non-submission of these documents will result in non-consideration.

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. Applicants must, therefore, only report attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants can verify accreditation via this link. All education claimed by applicants will be verified accordingly. Important: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. Click on this link for more information.

Contacts

• Address Natural Resources Conservation Service 1400 Independence Ave SW Washington, DC 20250 US
• Name: Olu Gbolade
• Phone: 919-875-4823
• Email: [email protected]