This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Certain Personnel of the DoD Workforce to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service. About the Position: The incumbent will conduct water quality and environmental investigations connected with water control management programs for both reservoirs and streams.

Duties

Maintains working knowledge of environmental policies regarding the Corps role in protection, improvement, and sustainment of our national water resources. Evaluates physical, chemical, and biological data determining the adequacy of the data to fully describe the ecosystem and recommends additional field investigations when necessary. Participates in meetings other federal, state and municipal agencies to coordinate water management activities regarding COE projects. Prepares correspondence in response to issues raised by others regarding these activities. Provide water quality guidance in program design to address both annual water quality monitoring and special project requirements. Contribute to environmental studies for water quality assessment, treatment, hydropower development, dredge material assessment, NPDES storm-water permits, sedimentation, water resource management, reservoir regulations and spill response. Analyzes data using appropriate statistical techniques, making determinations regarding the effects of biological productivity, pollution and other water quality factors on lakes and streams in the District. Performs computer analysis and database management of the data collected and technical analyses of meteorological, hydrologic and water quality components, including limnologic of the numerical models for both in-house and contract work. Perform data collection and analysis including numerical computer modeling of water quality parameters associated with District water resources functions. Maintain professional relationships with biological experts and arranges for exchange of information.

Requirements

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• Must obtain and maintain a valid Driver License.
• One year trial/probationary period may be required.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens 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. Basic Education Requirement for Biologist (Must upload transcripts): A. Degree: Bachelor's degree (or higher degree) in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. Please upload your transcripts. OR B. Combination of Education and Experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below: For GS-07: Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes collecting samples for chemical and biological analysis and writing reports detailing findings and conclusions. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-05). OR Education:One full year of graduate level education in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR Superior Academic Achievement. In order to be creditable under this provision, Superior Academic Achievement must have been gained in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled, such as that identified in Education above. Superior Academic Achievement is based on: (1) Class Standing - Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses. OR (2) Grade-Point Average (G.P.A.) - Applicants must have a grade-point average of either (a) 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on your official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or (b) 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum. OR (3) Honor Society Membership - Applicants may be considered eligible based on membership in one of the approved national scholastic honor societies listed by the Association of College Honor Societies (https://www.achsnatl.org/). OR Combination of Education and Experience: 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) by 18. Add the two percentages. For GS-09: Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes preparing data summaries and making biological evaluations of impoundment and stream aquatic life productivity; evaluating environmental conditions to determine relationships of aquatic organisms, preparing reports detailing findings and conclusions. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-07). OR Education: Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 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, such as: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR Combination of Education and Experience: 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 first year (total graduate semester hours minus 18) by 18. Add the two percentages. For GS-11: Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes applying, analyzing and evaluating water quality and environmental programs; conducting comprehensive water quantity/quality and aquatic biological studies; conducting detailed biological examinations to identify organisms; preparing reports detailing study findings and conclusions of a biological nature. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-09). OR Education: 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, such as: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR Combination of Education and Experience: 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.

Education

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

Contacts

• Address RE-W2SM04 US ARMY ENGINEER DISTRICT-PITTSBURGH DO NOT MAIL Pittsburgh, PA 15222 US
• Name: Army Applicant Help Desk