This position is a Hydrologist, GS-1315-11/12 working in Portland, Oregon for the R1-Water Resources. The full performance level of this position is GS-12. This announcement utilizes the Alternative Assessment for Internal Candidates (Employee Performance).

Duties

This position serves as a Hydrologist Field Network Lead for National Wildlife Refuges and National Fish Hatcheries (field stations) in the Pacific Northwest and Southwest Regions: Oregon, Washington, Idaho, California, Nevada, and Pacific Islands. The employee will be responsible for planning, developing, coordinating, and implementing a wide variety of water monitoring projects in support of assessing water availability for field stations throughout the scope area. Accurate and defensible water monitoring data is required at many field stations to maintain compliance with Federal, state, and other regulations; ensure that sufficient quality and quantity is available for fish and wildlife habitats and populations now and into the future; and to improve management of aquatic-dependent species and habitats. As a Hydrologist your duties will include but are not limited to the following: Serve as consultant and advisor to the Regions on matters pertaining to specialized hydrologic knowledge and assist in training of personnel in areas of expertise including techniques of data collection and analysis with a focus on surface water flow and water elevation in low-gradient conditions.. Plan and perform a wide range of data collection assignments and data-related investigations which requires application of experienced professional judgment, the results of which are the basis for Service water-resources decisions having impact on field stations and the larger watershed. Prepares monitoring project proposals and develops work plans, budgets, and protocols which include consideration of field station monitoring objectives, local site conditions, previous experimental and theoretical methods, evaluation of relevant all available data from various sources, and the development and adaptation of procedures and methods of investigation. Physical Demands: Work performed in the field which involves periods of walking, bending, climbing, or driving motor vehicles to worksites. The work also involves overnight travel for training, meetings, and site visits. The work regularly combines both office and field assignments. Field work requires physical exertion, such as long periods of standing, or recurring and considerable walking, stooping, bending, crouching, crawling, and climbing such as in regular and periodic construction activities and field inspections. Work may also include frequent lifting of moderately heavy items weighing less than 50 pounds. Field assignments may also involve operating small watercraft, driving motor vehicles to work sites, some of which may be remote, and include overnight stays in remote locations. Work Environment: Work time will also be spent periodically visiting field sites. Field site visits are typically performed in either an outdoor setting subject to weather changes, diverse terrain, and safety hazards associated with working around complex features and/or construction, or an industrial setting subject to noise, fumes, and moving machinery. Both settings may require the use of personal protective equipment. The work involves regular and recurring exposure to moderate risks, discomforts, and unpleasantness such as: high noise levels, irritating chemicals; travel in safety approved small water craft; high winds and low or high temperatures; adverse weather conditions; or flammable liquids. The work may involve performing tasks in close proximity to rotating heavy mechanical and electrical machinery and may involve working within confined spaces for limited periods of time.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Resume (See "Required Documents"). Failure to provide ALL required information on your resume will result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all information is provided on resume.
• Eligibility and Supporting documents - You will ONLY be considered for the eligibilities that you select "yes" to AND submit the required supporting documentation, as listed in the Required Documents section.
• Merit promotion applicants must meet time-in-grade requirement as defined in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.
• Suitability for employment, as determined by background investigation.
• Driver’s License: Selectees MAY be required to possess and maintain a valid State driver's license at all times during their tenure.
• Probationary Period: Selectees may be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
• Individuals assigned male at birth after 12-31-59 must be registered for the Selective Service. To verify registration visit SSS.gov.

Qualifications

Only experience and education obtained by 06/25/2024 will be considered. In order to qualify for this position you must possess both the Basic Requirement and Minimum Qualification. Basic Requirement: Possess a 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 Possess a Combination of education and experience -- course work as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Minimum Qualification [GS-11] One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-9 in the Federal service. Specialized experience may include: 1) Analyzing hydrologic observations, preparing continuous data profiles, searching for anomalies, and making preliminary conclusions; 2) Analyzing, preparation, and publishing of river volume under a variety of hydrologic conditions; 3) Participation in investigations that serve as the basis for agency water-resources decisions; 4) Communicating scientific data orally and in writing to both technical and non-technical personnel; OR Possess a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, OR 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, in a discipline directly related to the work of the position; OR A combination of education and experience as described in 1 and 2 above which together equals 100% of the requirement Minimum Qualification [GS-12] One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-11 in the Federal service. Specialized experience may include: 1) Modification of established hydrologic techniques and procedures to enable accurate measurement of surface water flow in a variety of conditions; 2) Ensuring that water resource measurement practices are consistent with applicable laws and procedural guidance; 3) Overseeing, planning, and/or performing a wide range of hydrologic data collection assignments; 4) Planning, executing, and reporting on hydrologic investigations focused on measurement of surface water quantity and quality. 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. Time In Grade Requirement: Applicants must meet both eligibility and qualification requirements for the position of interest by the closing date of the JOA. Specifically, i. Area of Consideration. ii. Time-in-grade (TIG) requirements as specified in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F. iii. Time after competitive appointment as specified in 5 CFR 330.502. iv. Qualification requirements outlined in OPM's Qualifications Standards for General Schedule Positions or for Federal Wage System (FWS), wage grade positions, applicants are evaluated using the OPM Job Qualification System for Trades and Labor Occupations and the job element examining method Your SF-50 will be used to confirm you meet all requirements All applicants (including non-competitive) must provide a current rating of record dated within the past 18 months at the fully successful or higher level. Final Rating: latest performance appraisal which includes supervisor signature, performance dates, final/official rating, etc. Applicants who do not have a current rating of record available must provide a reason and certify that their performance is acceptable, and they have not been advised that their performance is currently at an unacceptable level. (If they give a reasonable justification, then that is all they need to be eligible. There is nothing else needed.) Applicants who do not provide the required documentation or self-certification, or who have an unsuccessful rating of record will be found ineligible and will not be reviewed for further consideration.

Education

PROOF OF EDUCATION: All applicants who are using education or a combination of education and experience to qualify must submit copies of official or unofficial transcripts which include grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, institution name, and student name. If any required coursework is not easily recognizable on transcripts, or if you believe a portion of a particular course can be credited toward meeting an educational requirement, you must also provide a memorandum on letterhead from the institution's registrar, dean, or other appropriate official stating the percentage of the course that should be considered to meet the requirement and the equivalent number of units. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable; however, if you are selected for the position, you will be required to produce the original official transcripts.

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.

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.

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. For further information, visit: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov)

Contacts

• Address
• Name: Human Resources Staffing Division
• Phone: 000-000-0000
• Email: [email protected]