This position is located in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Natural Resource Conservation Services (NRCS). The incumbent is responsible for the Snow Survey Program including the Data Collection Office activities and supervises personnel in the Snow Survey Data Collection Office. Appointment includes OCONUS (Outside the Continental United States) time restrictions. Initial duty is not-to-exceed 3 years with possibility for extension for an additional 2 years upon approval.

Duties

Responsible for the Snow Survey Program including the Data Collection Office activities in a designated Data Collection Office. Provides leadership and guidance in the design, development and maintenance of administrative procedures to ensure that NRCS programs and services are translated into appropriated actions consistent with annual plans of operations in all units. Analyzes and manages the Snow Survey budget and reimbursable agreements with Federal and non- Federal partners for the Data Collection Office. Provides leadership in the assigned jurisdiction for the dissemination of water supply reports, news releases and other information activities relating to the Snow Program Survey. Conducts an extensive information program with TV, radio, and newspapers. Responds to media requests for current information by providing live and taped interviews. Responsible for the collection of hydrometeorological data within the boundaries of the Snow Survey Data Collection Office jurisdiction. Ensures that data observations are conducted in a timely manner and that the data is accurate. Ensures that SNOTEL sites meet service standards. Maintains current and accessible automated snow course, stream flow, precipitation and reservoir data files for the areas of jurisdiction. Responsible for the maintenance of facilities and equipment required for data acquisition.

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 any 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 for the type of vehicle(s) operated to perform the duties of this position.
• Subject to one-year supervisory/managerial probationary period unless prior service is creditable. New USDA supervisors must successfully complete all components of the required training program before the end of their probationary period.
• This position requires field work where dangerous wildlife are common. Passing courses in bear safety and firearms handling on an annual basis and the legal ability to carry a firearm, are required for this position.
• This position requires that the incumbent meet initial and continuing qualifications in the use of firearms as outlined in the Gun Control Act of 1968, amended by the Lautenberg Amendment of 1996.
• Certification of compliance with 18 U.S.C. 922 (g) and (n) National Rifle Association Shotgun Safety and handling certification.
• This position is designated for random drug testing under Departmental Regulation DR 4430-7922-2 dated April 2011. This position must complete and pass a Pre-Employment Drug Testing before entrance on duty (EOD).
• A service agreement is required for authorization of relocation expenses and allowances.
• Employment/Mobility Agreement may be required due to time limitations on OCONUS assignments.
• At the completion of the tour(s), the employee has guaranteed return rights to a position of grade and pay equivalent to the employee's current position.
• This position includes Return Rights and Tour Renewal Travel. Return rights must be exercised prior to the 3 year ( 5 years if extension is approved) time period.
• After five years, the employee can opt to remain in Alaska but will forfeit any guaranteed return rights.

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: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience at the next lower grade to be considered for the next higher grade (e.g. one year at the GS-12 grade level for consideration for the GS-13 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 -- course work as shown in above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. In addition to meeting one of the Basic Requirements listed above, applicants must meet the following Minimum Qualifications Requirement in order to be considered: Specialized Experience: To qualify for the GS-13 level, you must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level or higher in Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. For this position, specialized experience is defined as performing work that includes applying research on water and water resources; collecting, measuring, analyzing, and interpreting information on water resources; forecasting of water supply and water flows; and developing new, improved or more economical methods, techniques, and instruments. Examples of specialized experience include: Developing long-range hydrologic plans, programs, and /or precedents. Developing and modifying hydrologic forecast procedures when existing procedures are not supplying results that are sufficiently accurate and usable. Developing procedures for specialized forecasts for which procedures do not exist (e.g., snowmelt, river ice formation and dissipation, minimum flow, and flash floods). Planning and conducting hydrologic surveys. Planning, coordinating, and implementing tests to collect hydrometeorological data. Performing scientific and technical evaluation, correlation, synthesis, and presentation of hydrometeorological data. Note: There is no education substitution for the GS-13 level.

Education

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 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: Diane Desipio
• Phone: (484) 786-7305
• Email: [email protected]