PDF versionJob Summary
General Information Salary GS-05: $36,861 (Step 01) to $47,915 (Step 10); Salary GS-06: $41,088 (Step 01) to $53,420 (Step 10); Salary GS-07: $45,660 (Step 01) to $59,359 (Step 10); NOTE: First time hires to the Federal Government are typically hired atthe Step 01. There are two vacancies; however, this announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies if they become available.
Major Duties
The Estuarine Hydrodynamics Group is involved in a wide range of projects from operating and maintaining an extensive real-time flow and water quality network to cutting-edge interdisciplinary research integrating biology, water quality, and hydrodynamics. We are looking to find a new team member interested in sediment transport, water quality, and estuarine hydrodynamics. If you are excited about being out in the field, enjoy working in a dynamic environment, have strong organizational skills, and can work well both independently and in groups this will be an exciting and fulfilling position. In addition, the work requires attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate records and process data files. Ability to use a wide range of computer software programs and use a wide range of instrumentation is also a critical component of successful job performance.
As a Hydrologic Technician within the California Water Science Center, some of your specific duties will include:
- Performs routine measurements of surface water and discharge using the index-velocity method under a variety of field conditions.
- Collect, compute, and analyze scientific data and sediment samples for water quality, temperature, alkalinity, etc.
- Performs installation, maintenance, servicing, and troubleshooting of sensing, recording and communications equipment and instrumentation in the field and office.
- Assists in the construction and removal of gages, wells and supporting structures.
- Operates a motorized water craft.
- Operates a government motor vehicle as an incidental driver.
Lower grade levels perform a wide range of tasks described in the above listing of duties and responsibilities. At the lower levels, the employees will be assigned work designed to further develop and refine their knowledge and skills. Assignments will typically combine productive work with on-going training and instruction. supervision received at the lower levels will be closer with oversight and review being provided more frequently.
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 under 50 lbs, 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.
Conditions of Employment as required by the USGS Watercraft Safety Program:
- Must be able to take and pass the Motorboat Operator Certification Course (MOCC) within six months of employment.
- Must be able to obtain and maintain First Aid and CPR Certification for the duration of employment.
- Must be able to obtain and maintain Wilderness or Advanced First Aid certification for duration of employment.
Qualifications
Eligibility RequirementsIn order to be eligible for an appointment under the Pathways Recent Graduate Program you must meet the following requirements: You must be a recent graduate who has completed, within the previous two years, an associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution such as an accredited technical or vocational school; a 2- or 4-year college or university; a graduate or professional school (e.g., law school, medical school); or a post-secondary home school curriculum. Note: Certificate program is defined as post-secondary education in a qualifying educational institution equal to at least one academic year of full-time study that’s part of an accredited college-level, technical, trade, vocational, or business school curriculum.
Veterans who were precluded from applying due to their military service obligation begin their 2-year eligibility period upon release or discharge from active duty; however, eligibility for these veterans cannot exceed 6 years from the date on which the degree or certificate was obtained.The date of release or discharge from active duty should be later than the date the degree or certificate was obtained. Qualification Requirements
For more information on basic qualifications, please click on the following: https://www.usgs.gov/about/organization/science-support/human-capital/hydrologic-technician-gs-1316.ForGS-05:
A. One year of appropriate specialized experience that is equivalent to at least the GS-04 level in the Federal service. For all grade levels, 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-04 level work assignments include: 1) Performing minor repairs at gaging stations, to water level recorders and other equipment used in hydrologic investigations; 2) Assisting in making measurements of stream flow or making simple current meter measurements on small streams; 3) Recording routine measurements of water levels at specified observations wells; 4) Collecting water quality samples and assisting in making laboratory determinations of water quality parameters by predetermined methods; 5) Maintaining and assisting in readying current meters and sampling equipment for field work; OR
B. Successful completion of a full four year course of study (120 semester hours/180 quarter hours) 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 undergraduate education and specialized experience to meet the qualification requirements, please click HERE.
For GS-06:
A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 level in the Federal service that is in or related to the duties of this position.
Examples 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 education (9 semester hours, 13.5 quarter hours 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 experience if it provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work of this position; OR
C. Combination of appropriate specialized experience and appropriate graduate level education to meet the qualification requirements, please click HERE.
For GS-07:
A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-06 level in the Federal service that is in or related to the duties of this position.
Examples of GS-06 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) 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 year of appropriate graduate level education (18 semester hours, 27 quarter hours 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 experience if it provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work of this position; OR
C. Combination of appropriate specialized experience and appropriate graduate level education beyond the first 1/2 year of progressive graduate study to meet the qualification requirements, please click HERE.
All applicants must meet qualification and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
Pay Range
$36,861.00 - $59,359.00