PDF versionJob Summary
General Information Salary:GS-05 $37,635 (Step 01) to $48,928 (Step 10);GS-06 $41,952 (Step 01) to $54,539 (Step 10);GS-07 $46,619 (Step 01) to $60,600 (Step 10); NOTE: First time hires to the Federal Government are typically hired atthe Step 01.
Major Duties
As a Hydrologic Technician within the Texas Water Science Center, some of your specific duties will include:
- Performs routine streamflow and water-quality gage operation and maintenance.
- Collects and properly archives stream-flow discharge, ground-water elevation, and water-quality data.
- Constructs new data collection sites and field structures.
- Installs, maintains, services, and assists in the configuration of a variety of sensing, recording, and communications, equipment and instrumentation.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work requires some physical exertion such as: long periods of standing; walking over rough, uneven, or rocky surfaces; recurring bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, reaching, or similar activity; or recurring lifting of moderately heavy items weighing less than 23 kilograms (under 50 pounds) such as lifting and carrying stream gauging weights, data collection and monitoring devices, or sample trays.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work regularly involves moderate risks or discomforts associated with visiting field sites with limited access, under adverse weather or flooding conditions, 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
Qualification Requirements For information on basic qualifications, please click on the following: GS-1316. GS-05: Applicants must meet at least 1 of the following: A. 1 yrspecialized ex. equivalent to at least the GS-04 level in the Fed serv that is in or related to the duties of this position. Ex. of GS-4 level work assignments: 1) Making adjustments and minor repairs to water level recorders, or other equipment used in water investigations; 2) Following well-defined methods and designated formulas; computing, extracting, compiling, and presenting geological or hydrologic data in prescribed tabular or graphic form; 3) Computing mean daily gage heights from water stage record charts, editing record tapes, and making corrections based on field notes. For examples 1-3, the work assignments involved familiar conditions, concepts, and methods that were made in terms of the objectives to be achieved without explicit instruction as to work methods. Assignments involving new, more difficult, or unfamiliar areas of work were given with more specific guidance. Explicit instructions were provided for solving technical problems involving unfamiliar conditions, methods, or concepts.;OR B. Successful completion of a full 4 yr course of study leading to a bachelor's degree (a) with major study in an appropriate field of science (i.e., geology, chemistry, physics, geophysics, biology, ecology, mathematics, soils, forestry, meteorology, hydrology, oceanography, physical science, atmospheric science) engineering, construction, or industrial technology, or (b) that included at least 24 semester hours, or the equivalent, in any combination of courses such as engineering, industrial technology, construction drafting, surveying, physical science, biology, or mathematics.; OR C. Combination of successfully completed post-high school educ and specialized ex. may be used. Only progressive educ in excess of the first 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours (i.e., beyond the first two years) of a course of study leading to a bachelor's degree is creditable toward meeting the specialized ex. requirement, assuming the education includes the appropriate number of directly related semester hours, or the equivalent, in any combination of courses such as engineering, industrial technology, construction drafting, surveying, physical science, biology, or mathematics.
GS-06: Applicants must meet at least 1 of the following: A. 1 yr specialized ex. equivalent to at least the GS-05 level in the Fed serv that is in or related to the duties of this position. Ex. of GS-05 level work assignments: 1) Computing mean daily gage heights from water stage record charts, editing record tapes, and making corrections based on field observation notes; 2) Preparing maps showing well elevations and depth to water, hydrographs, profiles, and well locations. For examples 1-2, 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. Other examples of GS-05 level work 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) Making technical studies of hydrologic data collected in the field, and preparing material for publication, such as, drafts, maps and other illustrative material; applying datum corrections to gage height records allowing for periods of ice effect, temperature variations, and precipitation; and plotting hydrographs and analyzing differences in hydrographs with earlier records, and making necessary changes. For examples 1-2, routine assignments that involved familiar conditions, concepts, and methods were made in terms of the objectives to be achieved without explicit instruction as to work methods. Assignments involving new, more difficult, or unfamiliar areas of work were given with more specific guidance. Explicit instructions were provided for solving technical problems involving unfamiliar conditions, methods, or concepts.;OR B. Successful completion of 1/2 year of appropriate graduate level educ (9 sem hrs, 13.5 quarter hrs or the equivalent) in hydrology or other field of study directly related to the work of this position for the required 1 year of specialized ex. if it provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work of this position.; OR C. Combination of appropriate specialized ex. (as described above) and appropriate graduate level educ (as described above) to meet the qualification requirements.
GS-07: Applicants must meet at least 1 of the following: A. 1yr specialized ex. equivalent to at least the GS-06 level in the Fed serv that is in or related to the duties of this position. Ex. of GS-06 level assignments: 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) 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. For examples 1-2, routine assignments that involved familiar conditions, concepts, and methods, were made in terms of the objectives to be achieved without explicit instruction as to work methods. Assignments involving new, more difficult, or unfamiliar areas of work were given with more specific guidance. Explicit instructions were provided for solving technical problems involving unfamiliar conditions, methods, or concepts.;OR B. Successful completion of 1 yr of appropriate graduate level educ (18 sem hrs, 27 quarter hrs or the equivalent) in hydrology or other field of study directly related to the work of this position for the required 1 yr of specialized ex. if it provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work of this position.; OR C. Combination of appropriate specialized ex. (as described above) and appropriate graduate level educ (as described above) that is beyond the first 1/2 year of progressive graduate study to meet the qualification requirements. Specialized ex. 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.
All applicants must meet qualification and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
Pay Range
$37,635.00 - $60,600.00