The incumbent serves as a Hydrologic Technician for the Snow Survey Staff, Bozeman, MT State Office, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The Snow Survey program collects, prepares, and issues snow survey data, water supply forecasts, and other hydrologic analyses to data users including soil and water conservation districts, numerous federal and state agencies, and other interested individuals, groups, and organizations.

Duties

Conducts snow surveys, performs maintenance on and assists with the installation. Provides Hydro-meteorological support to the Snow Survey and Snowpack Telemetry (SNOTEL). Determines user needs for water supply forecasts, drought reports, hydrologic interpretations, and basic hydro-meteorological data. Assists in training NRCS cooperative personnel from other agencies in snow course, Snowpack Telemetry maintenance, accurate data collection techniques, first aid/cardiopulmonary resuscitation certifications and personal safety. Assists the Snow Survey Supervisory Hydrologist in the development of agreements with potential sponsoring organizations to secure funding for additional SNOTEL sites. Conducts routine and annual maintenance on climate monitoring equipment, vehicles, and SNOTEL structures and facilities. Troubleshoots and repairs SNOTEL electronic and pressure sensor equipment to keep functional and accurate. Gathers data and plots hydrographs for site comparison and analysis to improve data quality Analyzes and repairs electronic problems-associated with power systems, transmitters, receivers, data acquisition systems, antenna systems, transducers, and other hydrologic and meteorologic sensors. Maintains a database of equipment and tracks repairs and locations of the equipment. Ensures vehicle, trailer ATV and snow vehicle maintenance is performed on all snow survey assigned vehicles, and that monthly and semi-annual safety inspections are done. Calculates, compares, and prepares hydrologic data for use in making streamflow and water supply forecasts. Trains and provides technical supervision to NRCS personnel and cooperators on how to install, service, and maintain electronic SNOTEL equipment utilizing simple testing and module replacement techniques.

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.
• 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.
• This position requires up to 75% travel, you will be required to operate a government-owned or leased vehicle in the performance of your official duties.
• Position regularly requires considerable dexterity, agility, and strenuous physical exertion such as: climbing, working in areas where footing is treacherous such as, steep rocky terrain, lifting heavy objects weighing 50 pounds or more.
• This position requires the completion of a pre-employment Physical Examination and an annual examination thereafter.

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-08 grade level for consideration for the GS-09 grade level). Basic Experience Requirement performing the examples of the work below: Technician or aid in engineering, earth, physical, or natural science, forestry, soil conservation, or surveying. Trades or crafts work in maintenance or construction of facilities or equipment related to hydrology. Drafting. Construction estimating. In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements listed above, applicants must meet the following Minimum Qualifications Requirement in order to be considered: Specialized Experience (GS-09): To qualify for the GS-09 level, you must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-08 level or higher in Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Examples of specialized experience include: Independently installing, maintaining and troubleshooting stations or systems with hydrologic or climatic sensors Collecting and/or analyzing hydrologic data, such as, snow survey data, water supply forecasts, or other hydrologic analyses Researching and resolving data and system problems to ensure accuracy of information reporting Providing assistance on operation and maintenance of Snowpack Telemetry (SNOTEL) and Soil Climate Analysis Network (SCAN) sites Building partnerships and communication between agency contacts and cooperating local, state or federal agencies, vendors for site access issues, data collection schedules and exchange of information; OR Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience for the GS-09 level: 2 year(s) of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's degree in hydrology, water resources, related engineering science, physical science or related field; OR Combination of Education and Experience: 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. Specialized Experience GS-10: To qualify for the GS-10 grade level, you must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level or higher in Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. This experience must include: providing electronic and hydrologic technician support collecting and/or analyzing hydrologic data, such as, snow survey data, water supply forecasts, or other hydrologic analyses. Specialized Experience GS-11: To qualify for the GS-11 grade level, you must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-10 grade level or higher in Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. This experience must include: collecting and/or analyzing hydrologic data, such as snow survey data, water supply forecasts, or other hydrologic analyses; preparing hydrologic data for use in making streamflow and/or water supply forecasts; and installing and servicing hydrologic electronic equipment. Note: There is no education substitution for the GS-10 and GS-11 grade levels. For more information on the qualifications for this position, click here: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=GS-TECHExperience 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 experience, including volunteer experience.

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 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: Rose Marie Stone
• Email: [email protected]