Job opening: Hydrologic Technician
Salary: $56 695 - 73 701 per year
Published at: Oct 07 2024
Employment Type: Full-time
What General Information Do I Need To Know About This Position?
Salary: $56,695 (Step 01) to $73,701 (Step 10);
NOTE: First time hires to the Federal Government are typically hired at the Step 01.
Duties
As a Hydrologic Technician within the New York Water Science Center, some of your specific duties will include:
Applies Hydroacoustic knowledge.
Collects data from the field.
Enters, retrieves, edits, and analyzes hydrologic data using one or more of several databases, spreadsheets, and graphics software programs
Analyzes hydrologic data rating development and report writing.
Installs, maintains, services, and assists in the configuration of a variety of sensing, recording, and communications equipment and instrumentation
Physical Demands: The work regularly requires considerable dexterity, agility, and strenuous physical exertion such as: climbing and/or working from tall ladders and scaffolding; work in areas where footing is treacherous such as slippery or icy riverbanks, steep rocky terrain, or fast-moving water; lifting heavy objects weighing 23 kilograms (50 pounds) or more or crouching or crawling in restricted areas.
Work Environment: Office conditions do not require special safety precautions; field conditions may include extreme heat or cold, rain or snow, possible aggressive wildlife encounters, and hazardous conditions such as ice or flooding, or exposure to irritant or toxic chemicals. Work may require the use of special clothing or gear such as masks, coats, boots, goggles, respirators, or life jackets.
Qualifications
For GS-08:
Applicants must meet one of the following to qualify for the GS-08 level: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 level in the Federal service that is in or related to the duties of this position. Specialized experience may include work as a technician or aid in engineering, earth, physical, or natural science, forestry, soil conservation, or surveying; trades or crafts work in maintenance or construction of facilities or equipment related to hydrology; drafting; or construction estimating if it equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of this position.
Examples of GS-07 level assignments include:
1) Installing, adjusting, inspecting, and servicing crest-stage indicators, well-recorders, and other instruments for the collection of ground and surface water data; and checking gage settings to ensure continuing accuracy of the records obtained from instruments.
2) Troubleshoots selected hydrologic instrumentation in the office.
3) Measuring stream discharge utilizing various devices; observing and noting conditions that may have a bearing on stage-discharge relationships; making and compiling observations of the fluctuations of ground water levels in designated wells; and collecting water samples for chemical analysis;
4) Computes and checks surface-water records from field data where hydrologic conditions are fairly stable. Reviews the plotting of discharge measurements. Develops stage-discharge and/or velocity index curves and ratings. Estimates periods of missing record and non-routine flow such as tidal, backwater, or ice periods
5) Reviews gage-height data and discharge measurements to check methods and accuracy of computation. Plots and analyzes differences in hydrographs by comparing records and makes changes to correct inconsistencies in data. Reviews surface-water records to assure accuracy, uniformity, and compliance with Division standards. Verifies the accuracy of data summaries. Documents the procedure used to compute records.
6) Performs water-level and discharge measurements from wells and springs adjusting approach for unforeseen circumstances. Observes and notes various hydraulic and environmental conditions. Computes and checks ground-water records from field data where hydrologic conditions are fairly stable. Reviews ground-water records to assure accuracy, uniformity, and compliance with technical standards. Documents the procedure used to compute records.
7) Performs routine field measurements such as water temperature, specific conductance, pH, dissolved oxygen and alkalinity selecting the appropriate technique, protocol, and equipment.
8) With general instructions, establishes vertical and horizontal datums using appropriate survey and geo-stationary reference techniques using well-established electronic forms. Flags high-water marks and documents their reliability. Measures and records crest-stage gage high-water marks.
9) Enters, retrieves, edits, and analyzes hydrologic data using one or more of several databases, spreadsheets, and graphics software programs.
For the examples, the work assignments involved some technical problems not previously encountered; problems involving concepts and methods for which guides and precedents existed, were resolved independently. General oral instructions relative to the time to be allotted to certain functions, expected time of completion of assignments, possible technical problems which may be encountered, and approaches that may be used in resolving these problems were provided.
**OR applicants may substitute successful completion of 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education (36 semester hours, 54 quarter hours or the equivalent) leading to a master's degree or possession of a master's degree in hydrology or other field of study directly related to the work of this position for the required 1 year of specialized experience if it provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work of this position.
**OR applicants may substitute a combination of appropriate specialized experience (as described above) and appropriate graduate level education (as described above) that is beyond the first 1 1/2 years of progressive graduate study to meet the qualification requirements.
You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements for the position by the closing date of the announcement.
Education
- 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.
- Education completed in colleges or universities outside the United States may be used to meet the above requirements. You must provide acceptable documentation that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. For more information on how foreign education is evaluated, visit: https://www.usgs.gov/about/organization/science-support/human-capital/how-foreign-education-evaluated-federal-jobs .
Required Documents Continued:
Land Management Workforce Flexibility Eligibles
--If you are applying as a current or former employee of a land management agency, i.e., Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, or the U.S. Forest Service who is serving or previously served on a temporary or term appointment under the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act, you must submit the following documentation by the closing date of this vacancy announcement in order to receive consideration:
- SF-50(s), Notification of Personnel Action, that documents your service under competitive examining procedures in time limited appointments that totals 2 or more years at land management agencies; and
- Documentation of satisfactory performance such as performance evaluations or references by supervisors or other documents, e.g., memorandums of record, whereas the supervisor documented an acceptable performance level.
Additional information can be found
here.
Eligibility for Special Appointing Authorities
If you are applying for this position based on eligibility under a special appointing authority, you must submit proof that supports your claim by the closing date of the announcement. If you fail to submit proof, you will not receive consideration under the special appointing authority. Below is a list of the most common authorities and the documentation requirements. If you're eligible for an authority not listed, you are responsible for submitting documentation that's appropriate for that specific authority. Additional information for all the authorities below can be found on the
USAJobs Hiring Paths page.
--30% or More Disabled Veteran - Submit a legible copy of your DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, member 4 copy; and an official statement from the Department of Veterans Affairs (dated 1991 or later) or from a branch of the Armed Forces certifying the existence of a service-connected disability, etc.
--Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA) - NOTE: The VRA authority only applies to positions at the GS-11 level or lower. Submit a legible copy of your DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, member 4 copy; and if applicable, an official statement from the Department of Veterans Affairs (dated 1991 or later) or from a branch of the Armed Forces certifying the existence of a service-connected disability, or the award of a campaign badge or Armed Forces Service Medal, etc.
--Individuals with Disabilities - Submit documentation issued by a licensed medical professional; a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist; or any Federal agency, State agency, or an agency of the District of Columbia or a U.S. territory that issues or provides disability benefits.
--Military Spouse - Submit verification of active duty member of the armed forces (i.e. a copy of your spouse's orders verifying currently on active duty and verification of the marriage to the service member (i.e., a marriage license or other legal documentation verifying marriage); OR verification of the member's 100% disability (official statement from the Department of Veterans Affairs (dated 1991 or later)); OR verification of the member's death while on active duty (DD-1300 and Death Certificate) AND verification of the marriage to the service member (i.e., a marriage license or other legal documentation verifying marriage).
--Appointment of Certain Former Overseas Employees - Submit a SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action that confirms your eligibility and a performance appraisal from that period.
--Peace Corps & VISTA - Former Peace Corps volunteers or VISTA members must submit their Certification of Volunteer Service. Present and former Peace Corps personnel must submit a SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action that confirms their eligibility.
--Certain National Guard Technicians - Submit proof that confirms that you were involuntarily separated (other than by removal for cause on charges of misconduct or delinquency); you served at least 3 years as a technician; and are within 1 year of your separation date from service as a Guard Technician.
--Public Land Corps (PLC) - Submit the signed Certificate of Eligibility for Noncompetitive Hiring Status (PLC) issued by the PLC Coordinator for the organization where the creditable service was completed
Contacts
- Address NEW YORK WATER SCI CTR
12201 Sunrise Valley Drive
Mail Stop 600
Reston, VA 20192
US
- Name: Diana Panchal
- Phone: 703-648-7464
- Email: [email protected]
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