This position is part of the NRCS Oregon, Montana, and Idaho Snow Survey program, the incumbent collects prepares and issues snow survey data, water supply forecasts and other hydrologic analyses to various groups and organizations.

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 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 pass an annual physical exam including a baseline treadmill cardiovascular stress test upon employment.
• Must possess and maintain a valid state motor vehicle operator's license.
• To perform the duties of this position, the incumbent must serve as an incidental motor vehicle operator.
• This position requires the safe operation of various vehicles including pick-ups and 1-ton trucks, SUVs, 4-wheel drives, ATVs and snow machines.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. 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 at least 6 semester hours in physics plus appropriate experience or additional education. In addition to meeting one of the Basic Requirements above, applicants must meet the following Minimum Qualification requirement in order to be considered for this position: To qualify for the GS-07 level Specialized Experience: You must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level or higher in Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. This experience must include demonstrating experience of basic and applied 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 include: Participating in hydrologic investigations including collecting, evaluating, and analyzing data. Operating hydrologic instruments, equipment and materials to perform investigations. Assisting with data collection and data entry. OR Superior academic achievement in a bachelor's degree curriculum directly related to the work of the position. To qualify for superior academic achievement, you must have ONE of the following: (1) standing in the upper third of your college class or major subdivision at the time you apply; (2) grade point average of B (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) or its equivalent for all courses completed, either (a) at the time of application or (b) during the last 2 years of your undergraduate curriculum; (3) B+ (3.5 on a 4.0 scale) or its equivalent for all courses completed in a related discipline, either (a) at the time of application or (b) during the last 2 years of your undergraduate curriculum; OR (4) election to membership in one of the national honorary scholastic societies that meets the requirements of the Association of College Honor Society. OR Substitution of Education in Lieu of Specialized Experience: You must have one year of progressively higher-level graduate education 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. OR Combination of Education and Experience: Possess 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. To qualify for the GS-09 level: Specialized Experience: You must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level or higher in Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. This experience must include demonstrating experience and knowledge of basic and applied 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 include: Ensuring that data observations are conducted in a timely manner and the data is accurate. Developing snow survey products such as soil moisture, snowpack and precipitation products, surface water supply indexes, and streamflow models. Participating in the installation and maintenance of snow courses and snow telemetry (SNOTEL) sites. Performing data collection and data entry. OR Substitution of Education in Lieu of Specialized Experience: You must have two years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree in hydrology, water resources or related field. OR Combination of Education and Experience: Possess 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. To qualify for the GS-11 level: Specialized Experience: 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 such as 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 include: Collecting, evaluating and analyzing data for hydrologic investigations. 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. OR Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience: You must have 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: Professional and Scientific Positions.

Education

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
You must submit a copy of your transcripts to include course number, title, completion and grade. 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. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. 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: Chanael Laster
• Email: [email protected]