This position is located in the Office of the Deputy Chief for Science and Technology, Conservation Engineering Division, National Design, Construction, and Soil Mechanics Center. The incumbent performs soil and rock mechanics testing in support of the supervisory Civil Engineering Technician, Geotechnical Engineers, and the NDCSMC Co-director. The incumbent will perform engineering design analysis work on engineering structures including watershed dams and farm bill projects.

Duties

Performs complex, index and experimental tests required for site specific engineering projects and national benefit work individually and as a part of a team. Examines data from tests performed for indications of equipment malfunction, sample disturbance, mathematical errors, inconsistencies, and questionable test results. Maintains testing equipment within the testing section, determines new testing equipment needs, and requests supplies as necessary to keep the Testing Section in optimum operating condition. Summarizes and tabulates test results in proper format for inclusion in laboratory computer databases used to produce soil mechanics reports.

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 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.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: To be considered minimally qualified for this position, you must demonstrate that you have the required specialized experience and/or education for the respective grade level(s) in which you are applying: GS-09 Specialized Experience: One or more full-time years (12-months) of specialized work experience, equivalent to at least the GS-08 grade level in the Federal service, performing the following duties: Conducting several types of soil mechanics tests; Performing equipment maintenance and calibration on laboratory equipment as needed for optimum operating conditions; Submitting a summary of test results for entry in the laboratory database and used for reports; and Using appropriate computer program to analyze laboratory test results. OR Education: Must have a Master's or equivalent doctoral degree, or 2 full years of graduate education in engineering or other directly related field. (Must submit transcripts.) OR Combination: Must possess a combination of specialized experience and graduate education as described directly above that total 100% when combined. First, determine total qualifying experience as a percentage of the specialized experience described above; then determine the education as a percentage of the graduate education described above; and then add the two percentages. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. Only graduate education in excess of one year (18 semester hours) may be used when combining education and experience for this grade. (Must submit transcripts.) GS-10 Specialized Experience: One or more full-time years (12-months) of specialized work experience, equivalent to at least the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service, performing the following duties: Providing informal training sessions to grow the skillset of staff; Assisting with maintaining equipment and requesting supplies needed for optimum operating conditions; Using specialized computer program to analyze laboratory test results; and Assisting in maintaining records of samples received for testing (e.g.: dates received and test results.). OR Education: Must have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or 3 full years of graduate education in engineering or other directly related field. (Must submit transcripts.) OR Combination: Must possess a combination of specialized experience and graduate education as described directly above that total 100% when combined. First, determine total qualifying experience as a percentage of the specialized experience described above; then determine the education as a percentage of the graduate education described above; and then add the two percentages. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. Only graduate education in excess of two years (36 semester hours) may be used when combining education and experience for this grade. (Must submit transcripts.) GS-11 Specialized Experience: One or more full-time years (12-months) of specialized work experience, equivalent to at least the GS-10 grade level in the Federal service, performing the following duties: Assisting with formal and informal training sessions to grow the skillset of staff; Contributing to the development of workload analyses, budgets, and schedules to help team accomplish goals; Selecting and using specialized computer program to analyze laboratory test results; and Maintaining records of samples received for testing (e.g.: dates received and test results.). OR Education: Must have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or 3 full years of graduate education in engineering or other directly related field. (Must submit transcripts.) OR Combination: Must possess a combination of specialized experience and graduate education as described directly above that total 100% when combined. First, determine total qualifying experience as a percentage of the specialized experience described above; then determine the education as a percentage of the graduate education described above; and then add the two percentages. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. Only graduate education in excess of two years (36 semester hours) may be used when combining education and experience for this grade. (Must submit transcripts.) 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). 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 and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. The OPM Qualification Standards for this position can be found at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=List-by-Occupational-Series

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.

Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that 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: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov)

Contacts

• Address Natural Resources Conservation Service 1400 Independence Ave SW Washington, DC 20250 US
• Name: Midwest Services Branch
• Phone: 8164265706
• Email: [email protected]