This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Certain Personnel within DoD to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service. About the Position: Serves as a Laboratory Technician for the Geotechnical Branch Soils and Materials Laboratory, performing complex soils and material testing for navigation, flood risk management, and environmental mitigation projects.

Duties

Assists Senior Technicians in routine lab activities consisting of conducting a variety of laboratory tests on soils, rocks, concrete, and other materials in support of civil engineering projects. Examines and classifies soil samples as to color, consistency, etc. Prepares soil samples for testing by trimming, cutting, shaping, molding, etc. Assists in the performance of a variety of laboratory tests including unconfined compression test, liquid and plastic limit test, permeability tests, grain-size analysis, specific gravity, relative density, shrinkage limit test, soil pH, etc. As required, effects minor modifications in testing procedures and equipment to obtain specific results desired. Using computer software, records test data, and completes appropriate report forms depicting test results. Observes specimens during all phases of preparation and testing. Records instrument readings and as required plots data on appropriate charts. Through use of established formulas, computes test data, prepares graphs reflecting gradation and time curves, void ratio, etc., and records test findings on established report forms. Ensures laboratory is clean and organized and equipment is in working order. Observes the need for additional laboratory equipment and supplies and makes appropriate recommendations to superiors. Ensures test equipment is properly maintained, and safety precautions are observed in keeping with the District’s safety policy.

Requirements

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• Occasional travel to perform field tests or collect samples is required.
• Must possess and maintain ACI Concrete Field Testing Technician Grade 1 certification (may obtain within six months of appointment at the GS05 and GS06 levels).
• Must possess and maintain ACI Aggregate Testing Technician Level 1 certification (may obtain within six months of appointment at the GS05 and GS06 levels).
• Must possess and maintain ACI Concrete Strength Testing Technician Level 1 certification (may obtain within six months of appointment at the GS05 and GS06 levels).
• Must possess and maintain ACI Aggregate/Soil Strength Base Testing Technician certification (may obtain within six months of appointment at the GS05 and GS06 levels).
• A valid state driver's license is required.
• May be required to lift and move moderately heavy objects of up to 30lbs or more.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements described below. 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document. Minimum Qualifications GS-05: Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes assisting with instrument setup for laboratory analysis data collection; and assisting with laboratory maintenance. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-04). OR Education: Four year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree (a) with major study in an appropriate field of engineering, construction, or industrial technology; OR (b) that included at least 24 semester hours in any combination of courses such as engineering, engineering or industrial technology, construction, physics, drafting, surveying, physical science, or mathematics. At least 6 of the 24 semester hours must have been in drafting if the position has been designated by a drafting area of specialization. OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide your semester hours of education beyond two years (total semester hours minus 60) by 60. Add the two percentages. Minimum Qualifications GS-06: Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes assisting with instrument setup for laboratory analysis data collection; assisting with laboratory maintenance; and assisting with the preparation of samples for laboratory testing. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-05). OR Education: A half year (i.e. 9 semester hours) of graduate level education in a field directly related to the work of the position. OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) by 9. Add the two percentages. Minimum Qualifications GS-07: Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes independently maintaining laboratory equipment; assisting with the preparation of samples for laboratory testing; and recording test data. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-06). OR Education: One full year (e.g. 18 Semester hours) of graduate level education in a field directly related to the work of the position. OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) by 18. Add the two percentages. Minimum Qualifications GS-08: Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes assisting with the preparation of samples for laboratory testing; recording test data; and assisting in the performance of a variety of laboratory tests. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-07). OR Education: One and a half years (i.e. 27 semester hours) of graduate level education in a field directly related to the work of the position. OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the first year (total semester hours minus 18) by 9. Add the two percentages. Minimum Qualifications GS-09: Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes assisting in the performance of a variety of laboratory tests; collecting field test samples; and creating reports based off laboratory test results. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-08). OR Education: Two full years of graduate level education (i.e. 36 semester hours) or a Master's degree in a field directly related to the work of the position. OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the first year (total semester hours minus 18) by 9. Add the two percentages.

Education

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 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. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/

Contacts

• Address RG-W2R903 US ARMY ENGINEER DISTRICT-ST LOUIS DO NOT MAIL St. Louis, MO 63103 US
• Name: Army Applicant Help Desk