These positions are located in the Carlsbad Field Office (Carlsbad, NM) and the Farmington Field Office (Farmington, NM) of the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management. The position is responsible for participating on hydrological studies of considerable scope and complexity or serving as a member of an interdisciplinary team performing complex work with wide latitude for the exercise of professional judgment.

Duties

Duties will be developmental in nature when filled below the full performance level. Performs or coordinates hydrological studies or components of extensive studies, that describe and interpret hydrological conditions in order to define, analyze, forecast, or describe natural and human-induced hydrological changes in the area. Contributes to the planning, review, and evaluation of multi-basin, multi-aquifer investigations which includes predictive water quantity and quality numerical modeling and adherence to all management-based water resource policies. Collects, interprets, analyzes, and evaluates hydrologic data. Contributes to team efforts to implement landscape-level projects to restore watersheds, improve water quality, protect federal water rights, and protect wild and scenic rivers. Participates in periodic meetings with cooperating officials to discuss program potential, development, progress, and technical accomplishments.

Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship required
• Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males
• May be required to complete background investigation and drug screening.
• Will be required to successfully complete a physical examination.
• Must provide resume and supporting documents (See required documents).
• You cannot hold an active real estate license, nor can you have an interest or hold stocks in firms with interest in Federal Lands.
• If you are a new employee or supervisor in the Federal government, you will be required to complete a one-year probationary period.
• May be required to operate a motor vehicle as an incidental driver. Operation of a motor vehicle on public roadways requires a valid drivers’ license.
• May be required to operate or be a passenger in small watercraft, which requires possession of safety certification or passing an appropriate safety training course commensurate with watercraft used in the performance of duties.
• You will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program.
• You may be required to travel overnight away from home up to 10 nights per month. You must obtain a government charge card for travel purposes.

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet Both the Basic Requirements AND the Additional Requirements described below. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience. If qualifying based on education, a copy of your unofficial transcripts must be provided with your application. BASIC REQUIREMENTS A. Have a bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited college or university 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. 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 B. Have an equivalent combination of education and experience in courses equivalent to a major course of study, as shown in statement A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Appropriate experience is defined as the performance of scientific functions related to the study of water resources, based on, and requiring a professional knowledge of related sciences and the consistent application of basic scientific principles to the solution of theoretical and practical hydrologic problems. Examples of acceptable experience: field or laboratory work that would require application of hydrologic theory and related sciences such as geology, geo-chemistry, geophysics, or civil engineering to making observations, taking samples, operating instruments, assembling data from source materials, analyzing, and interpreting data, and reporting findings orally and in writing. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS You must demonstrate that you have the required specialized experience and/or education for the respective grade level for which applying: TO QUALIFY FOR THE GRADE GS-07: A. Have one year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service (obtained either in the private or public sectors) performing the following: (1) performing a range of standard tests to determine the chemical and/or biological components of water samples; (2) assisting with hydrologic data collection; (3) conducting water use inventories based on water rights. OR B. Have successfully completed one (1) year of graduate education from an accredited college or university with major study in physical or natural science, or engineering that included courses in any combination of the following: 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 C. Have an equivalent combination of specialized experience and graduate level education as described in A and B above which, when combined, equals 100% of the total requirement. To calculate your combined amount, first determine the amount of your specialized experience as a percentage of the requirement listed in A above. Then determine the amount of your graduate education as a percentage of the requirement listed in B above; then add the two percentages. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. This education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. OR D. Have completed all the requirements for a bachelor's degree with major study in physical or natural science, or engineering that included courses in any combination of the following: hydrology, the physical sciences, geophysics, chemistry, engineering science, soils, mathematics, aquatic biology, atmospheric science, meteorology, geology, oceanography, or the management or conservation of water resource, AND meet one of the requirements for Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) based on the following: (1) class standing (upper third standing in graduating class based on completed courses); (2) grade-point average (3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 as recorded on the 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 (3) election to membership in a national scholastic honor society. TO QUALIFY FOR THE GRADE GS-09: A. Have at least one year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service (obtained either in the private or public sectors) performing the following: (1) planning hydrologic studies to determine the condition of water resources; (2) utilizing relational databases and related applications to maintain hydrologic data for planning analyses; (3) providing information on water resource management to customers; (4) preparing scientific and technical reports on hydrologic related study findings. OR B. Have successfully completed two (2) years year of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or have a master's or equivalent graduate degree from an accredited college or university with major study in physical or natural science, or engineering that included courses in any combination of the following: 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 C. Have an equivalent combination of specialized experience and graduate level education as described above in A and B which, when combined, equals 100% of the total requirement. To calculate, first take the number of semester hours or equivalent earned towards a graduate degree, in excess of 18 semester hours, and divide by 18 semester hours or equivalent. Then take the number of months of experience and divide by 12 months. Add the percentages together. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. Please note only graduate education in excess of one year (18 semester hours) may be used to qualify under this option. This education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position.

Education

QUALIFICATIONS (continued):
TO QUALIFY FOR THE GRADE GS-11:
A. Have at least one year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service (obtained either in the private or public sectors) performing the following: (1) collecting and analyzing hydrologic data; (2) applying hydrology, geology, or geochemistry principles in resolving complex water issues; (3) conducting, planning, reviewing, and evaluating multi-basin, multi-aquifer investigations; (4) partnering with state, local, and tribal land managers to ensure water resources management practices are consistent with state, federal, and local policies.
OR
B. Have successfully completed 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or have to the Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in physical or natural science, or engineering with major study in physical or natural science, or engineering that included courses in any combination of the following: 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
C. Have an equivalent combination of specialized experience and graduate level education described above in A and B, when combined, equals 100% of the total requirement. To calculate, first take the number of semester hours or equivalent earned towards a graduate degree, in excess of 36 semester hours, and divide by 18 semester hours or equivalent. Then take the number of months of experience and divide by 12 months. Add the percentages together. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. Please note only graduate education in excess of two years (36 semester hours) may be used to qualify under this option. This education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position.

TIME-IN-GRADE REQUIREMENTS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-05 is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-07 level. One year at the GS-07 is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-09 level. One year at the GS-09 is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-11 level. (Must submit your SF-50 that shows Time-in-Grade eligibility and reflects your title, series, and grade. No award SF-50 will be accepted).

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. If your resume does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s).

Volunteer Experience: 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.

You must include months, years and hours per week worked to receive credit for your work and/or volunteer experience. One year of specialized experience is equivalent to 12 months at 40 hours per week. Part-time hours are prorated. You will not receive any credit for experience that does not indicate exact hours per week or is listed as "varies".

EDUCATION:
To qualify based on education, you must submit a legible copy of transcripts from an accredited institution with your name, school name, credit hours, course level, major(s), and grade-point average or class ranking. Transcripts do not need to be official, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work.

If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet qualification requirements, you must show that your 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.

PASS/FAIL COURSES: If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) were taken on a pass/fail basis, your claim of superior academic achievement must be based upon class standing or membership in an honor society. A copy of your transcript, with conferred date, is required as documented proof of your GPA, class standing, or election to honor society membership. Failure to provide your transcript will result in an ineligible rating.

GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study.

Contacts

• Address BLM New Mexico State Office BLM New Mexico, NM-951 301 Dinosaur Trail Santa Fe, NM 87508 US
• Name: San Antonio Services Branch
• Phone: 816-541-8101
• Email: [email protected]