What General Information Do I Need To Know About This Position? Salary: GS-7: $55,236 (Step 01) to $71,808 (Step 10) GS-8: $61,170 (Step 01) to $79,520 (Step 10) GS-9: $67,563 (Step 01) to $87,831 (Step 10); NOTE: First time hires to the Federal Government are typically hired at the Step 01. This position is being advertised concurrently with the following announcements: Open to current or former Federal employees: USGS-RES-24-12244746-ST-KF

Duties

As an Engineering Technician within the Eastern Ecological Science Center, some of your specific duties will include:

Requirements

Qualifications

For GS-07: Applicants must meet one of the following to qualify for the GS-07 level: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-06 level in the Federal service that is in or related to the duties of this position. Specialized experience may include work as a technician or aid in engineering technician, hydrologic technician, facilities operations specialist, biological science technician, or physical science technician if it equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of this position. Examples of GS-06 level assignments include: 1) Installing, adjusting, inspecting, and servicing instruments for the collection of data 2) draft technical documentation for assigned technical engineering work assignments. For examples 1-2, routine assignments that involved familiar conditions, concepts, and methods, were made in terms of the objectives to be achieved without explicit instruction as to work methods. Assignments involving new, more difficult, or unfamiliar areas of work were given with more specific guidance. Explicit instructions were provided for solving technical problems involving unfamiliar conditions, methods, or concepts. **OR applicants may substitute successful completion of 1 year of appropriate graduate level education (18 semester hours, 27 quarter hours or the equivalent) in engineering or other field of study directly related to the work of this position for the required 1 year of specialized experience if it provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work of this position. **OR applicants may substitute a combination of appropriate specialized experience (as described above) and appropriate graduate level education (as described above) that is beyond the first 1/2 year of progressive graduate study to meet the qualification requirements. For GS-08: Applicants must meet one of the following to qualify for the GS-08 level: **One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 level in the Federal service that is in or related to the duties of the position to be filled and that equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. Examples of occupations that may have provided qualifying specialized experience include: engineering technician, construction management, hydrologic technician, facilities operations specialist, biological science technician, or physical science technician. Experience in a trade or craft may be credited as specialized experience when the work provided requires intensive knowledge of engineering principles, construction techniques, scientific instrumentation and data collection, or ecological restoration. Examples are trade positions with substantial developmental, test, or design responsibilities such as: 1) hatchery/aquaculture/dam technician involved in the design, installation, operation and maintenance of complex water convenance systems, water control structures, water treatment facilities/devices, and related control systems; 2) technician involved in the design, layout, fabrication and implementation of models, structures, instruments, and equipment used in aquatic conservation, fisheries, water control, hydrologic measurement, or similar work. Examples of GS-07 level assignments may include: l) performing tests to measure and evaluate water temperature, stage, discharge, velocity, and/or quality at in-stream work site, laboratory settings, or hatchery raceways to determine the flow other environmental conditions; determining systems performance and instrument data quality and modifying test equipment; 2) participating in the development of new types of scientific instruments and devices; testing and calibrating competed instruments; 3) preparing specifications, layouts, detail, assembly, and installation drawings of equipment of noncritical nature involving a variety of mechanisms, structures, materials, and conditions of use and production. For examples 1-3, the work required independence in selecting, interpreting, and applying appropriate guidelines to resolve operational and implementation problems not fully covered by precedents; developing revisions to standard work methods and procedures; and taking actions or making recommendations based on preliminary interpretation of data or results of analysis. If the work was new or significantly different than previously accomplished, instructions as to work methods and closer than normal guidance was provided. **OR applicants may substitute successful completion of 1 & 1/2 years of progressively higher level graduate education (27 semester hours, 40.5 quarter hours or the equivalent) in engineering or other field of study directly related to the work of this position for the required 1 year of specialized experience if it provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work of this position. **OR applicants may substitute a combination of appropriate specialized experience (as described above) and appropriate graduate level education (as described above) that is beyond the first year of progressive graduate study to meet the qualification requirements. (CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS ON HOW TO COMBINE GRADUATE EDUCATION & SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE) For GS-09: Applicants must meet one of the following to qualify for the GS-09 level: **At least 1-year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-08 level in the Federal service. Examples of GS-08 level assignments may include: conducting tests of equipment, components, control systems and parts under a variety of simulated environmental conditions (water temperature, discharge, flow velocity, stage, etc.); setting up tests which include devising procedures to meet special one-time requirements of experimental models; adapting and modifying varied test instruments and accessories used in conducting experiments related to water measurement, water control, water quality, aquiculture, animal husbandry or behavior; investigating unusual occurrences; determining if cause is the result of a test fault or an external influence; recommending changes to test procedures to eliminate errors; recommending solutions to problems of components failure and marginal operating characteristics; preparing plans, specifications, and cost estimates for modification of automated data collection systems, control systems, instrumentation, and other scientific equipment; selecting and applying appropriate criteria, standards, and formulas and determining loads, sizes, controls, materials, locations, design details, clearances, etc. **OR Two years of progressively higher level graduate education (36 semester hours, 54 quarter hours or the equivalent) leading to a master's degree or possession of a master's degree in engineering or other field of study directly related to the work of this position. **OR A combination of appropriate specialized experience (as described above) and appropriate graduate level education (as described above) that is beyond the first 1-1/2 years of progressive graduate study to meet the qualification requirements. (CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS ON HOW TO COMBINE GRADUATE EDUCATION & SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE).(CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS ON HOW TO COMBINE GRADUATE EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE) You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements for the position by the closing date of the announcement.

Education

• 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.
• Education completed in colleges or universities outside the United States may be used to meet the above requirements. You must provide acceptable documentation that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. For more information on how foreign education is evaluated, visit: https://www.usgs.gov/about/organization/science-support/human-capital/how-foreign-education-evaluated-federal-jobs .

Contacts

• Address EASTERN ECOLOGICAL SCIENCE CENTER 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive Mail Stop 600 Reston, VA 20192 US
• Name: Kathy Falino
• Phone: 703-648-7408
• Email: [email protected]