This position is located in the Idaho Snow Survey Office working principally on the SNOTEL and SCAN system and other related system operation and maintenance responsibilities. You will perform hydrological assistance functions, including measurement of snowfall and temperatures, and other assignments related to hydrological data collection.

Duties

Designs, constructs, modifies, installs, repairs, and tests sensors, sensor interface modules, and other equipment to collect and transmit data through the snowpack telemetry (SNOTEL) and soil climate analysis (SCAN) data monitoring systems. Maintains electronic equipment inventory for SNOTEL, SCAN, and base station sites including maintenance of trucks, ATVs, snowmobiles, chain saws, augers, snow sampling kits, and tools. Assists with the establishment, installation, calibration, and maintenance of data monitoring sites using various devices, sensors, and gages. Provides oversight and guidance for field personnel in installation, service, and maintenance of electronic equipment using established Snow Survey and Water Supply Forecasting Program (SSWSF) program standards and specifications. Checks radio frequency responses between existing/proposed sites for adequate radio reception. Performs manual snow surveys and makes other measurements both as a check on the performance of electronic measurements and on sites where no electronic equipment exists.

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.
• Pre-employment physical as well as annual physical thereafter is required.
• See "How To Apply" for additional Conditions of Employment.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience, as defined below. Individual Occupational Requirements: This series covers technical positions supervising, leading, or performing work involving applying: knowledge of the techniques and theories characteristic of electronics, such as a knowledge of basic electricity and electronic theory, algebra, and elementary physics; knowledge of electronic equipment design, development, evaluation, testing, installation, and maintenance; and knowledge of the capabilities, limitations, operations, design, characteristics, and functional use of a variety of types and models of electronic equipment and systems related to, but less than, a full professional knowledge of electronic engineering. Electronics technicians may have gained experience assisting in work situations including: Maintenance - Developing maintenance standards and procedures for use by others. Analyzing repair practices and developing procedural instructions for use by others on methods and steps to repair equipment. Installation - Planning and directing the installation of complex systems and associated facilities, particularly where there are site selection and construction problems, dealings with contractors and public utilities, and the possible need to modify equipment for novel site characteristics. Fabrication - Designing and analyzing circuits, determining design feasibility, evaluating equipment performance under varying environmental conditions, and collecting performance data. Designing or modifying designs to achieve performance and cost objectives. Evaluating the adequacy of equipment for such purposes as repair, calibration, and testing. Testing and Evaluation/Research and Development - Developing or evaluating new or modified electronic systems. Completing testing, evaluating data, and determining acceptability of equipment modifications, validity, test procedures and data, or legality of operation. Technicians support professional engineers in performing experiments, research, and developmental activities requiring an in-depth knowledge of technical engineering methods, applications, practices, and principles to work on concepts, prototypes, and experimental projects that are without precedent and support state-of-the-art research. Sustainment - Developing, performing, evaluating, or modifying calibration and test equipment, systems, and procedures. Reporting, analyzing, and archiving test data. Performing complex calculations and manipulations of test data to improve performance of systems, instrumentation, measurement standards, techniques, and procedures. Troubleshooting - Analyzing and diagnosing faults in the operational configuration of electronic systems and equipment. Interpreting circuit wiring, logic cable diagrams, drawings, specifications, and schematics of complete systems and equipment to understand the function and interconnections of the various assemblies and troubleshoot the system. or Performing Technical Work Involves: Developing and designing test and repair equipment, analyzing repair practices, or developing procedural instructions on methods and steps of equipment repairs; Developing maintenance standards and procedures, testing and evaluating new or modified systems, or analyzing the compatibility of interlocking components and systems; Planning and directing the installation of complex systems and associated facilities, particularly where there are problems of site selection and construction; Designing and analyzing circuits, determining feasibility of these designs, evaluating equipment performance under varying environmental conditions, collecting data, or designing or modifying designs to achieve performance and cost objectives; and Developing or evaluating new or modified systems or monitoring frequency emissions by licensed stations. In addition to meeting one of the Individual Occupational Requirements listed above, applicants must meet the following Minimum Qualifications Requirement in order to be considered: Specialized Experience: You must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-10 level or higher in Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. This experience must include applying knowledge of electronic equipment design, development, evaluation, testing, installation, and maintenance. Examples of specialized experience include: Performing electronic testing, diagnostic and troubleshooting procedures to repair equipment associated with climate sensors data collection systems (e.g., pressure transducers, snow depth sensors, snow pillows, storage precipitation gauges, soil moisture sensors, solar panels, etc.). Maintaining electronic equipment inventory and procuring parts. (MUST be reflected in your resume.) Note: There is no education substitution for the GS-11 level. For more information on the qualifications for this position, click here: Technical and Medical Support Positions. 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 experiences, including volunteer experience.

Contacts

• Address Natural Resources Conservation Service 1400 Independence Ave SW Washington, DC 20250 US
• Name: Sheila Grass
• Phone: 602-280-8895
• Email: [email protected]