This position works in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The incumbent serves as a leader for forecasting or data collection in the field of hydrology, performs data analysis, prepares reports and presentations on hydrologic conditions, and serves as a subject matter expert.

Duties

Provides technical leadership on snowpack and climate monitoring, weather station network design, and data quality control to support the NRCS automated snow telemetry (SNOTEL), Soil Climate Analysis Network (SCAN), and manual snow course network. Assists research and development efforts of new sensor and telemetry technology as well as coordinates with staff to implement new technology into the SNOTEL and SCAN data systems to meet customer needs and higher efficiency standards. Delivers detailed scientific knowledge, design specifications, and user requirements for software applications and/or technical agreements to ensure high quality data measurements and products that meet the needs of internal and external customers. Makes significant technical and scientific contributions to the Snow Survey Program by leading task force teams to address concerns such as developing standards and specifications for data collection, sensor calibration, and data quality analyses. Prepares and presents professional materials and/or training courses focused on snowpack monitoring, field operation protocols, data management, and hydrologic analyses.

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.
• Physical Demands: Occasional on-site review of data collection sites, watersheds, irrigation systems, and reservoirs. This entails short periods of travel in rugged terrain at high elevations.
• Work Environment: Occasionally field work is required with exposure to all climate conditions. Trips involve air and/or vehicle travel and lodging at hotels.

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 REQUIREMENTS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-12 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-13 level. (Please submit your SF-50 that shows Time-in-Grade eligibility and reflects your title, series, and grade. No Award or General Adjustment SF-50's will be accepted). Time-in-grade requirements also apply to VEOA applicants having held a GS position in the past year. See addition information. Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement. Basic Education Requirement: Degree: Completion of all requirements for a bachelor's or higher degree in hydrology, physical or natural science, or applied basic science 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. Coursework must have included at least 6 semester hours of calculus (including differential and integral) and 6 semester hours of physics; OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience that has provided the knowledge, skills and abilities equivalent to that gained through a bachelor's degree in an appropriate field of study. The education must have 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. Coursework must have included at least 6 semester hours of calculus (including differential and integral) and 6 semester hours of physics. In addition to meeting one of the Basic Requirements listed above, applicants must meet the following Minimum Qualifications Requirement in order to be considered: 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 in which you are applying: GS-13 Specialized Experience: One or more full-time years (12-months) of specialized work experience, equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service, performing the following duties: Preparing hydrologic analysis to be distributed to staff and stakeholders; Leading interagency teams in order to address water resources issues and to produce accurate and scientifically credible water resource products; Preparing and issuing forecasts of streamflow for significant river and streams; Managing workload and schedules of staff to ensure work is completed; and Representing the agency on national committees and task forces related to water management. (Your resume must CLEARLY demonstrate this experience) There is no education substitute for specialized experience at the GS-13 level. 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]