Land Surveyor

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Department of Agriculture

Job Summary

These positions are being concurrently announced under Pathways Recent Graduate program as announcement number 20-NCH-ENG-1373-57-RG. Current federal employees may apply to both announcements. This position may be filled at the GS-05 or GS-07 grade level with promotion potential to the GS-07/09.

Major Duties

  • Assist with planning, organizing and execute field surveying projects.
  • In a training capacity, works on field survey parties with responsibility for operating levels, theodolites, distance measuring devices, and other equipment used in cadastral as well as geodetic and engineering survey work.
  • Under supervision of higher grade employees, conducts routine analysis, and prepares routine legal descriptions, plats, and survey reports.
  • Checks and compiles field survey data and makes appropriate mathematical computations for traverse closures.
  • Exchange information, research survey data, and obtain advice in land surveying.
  • Conduct studies of routine cases requiring historical searches of property ownership; previous surveys of the area; and the pattern of political, geographic, and economic influences that surround the property involved.
  • Prepare routine legal descriptions, plats, and survey reports.
  • Direct field surveying projects of sufficient scope to promote the continued growth and development of the incumbent in cadastral surveying as well as application of State and Federal land laws.
  • Direct assigned survey parties in the execution of limited cadastral, geodetic, and engineering survey projects.
  • Assist with planning, organizing and execute field surveying projects.
  • Exchange factual and professional information, research survey data, obtain advice and instruction, to broaden experience in land surveying and to seek permission to conduct field surveys on private lands.
  • Conduct limited record searches; evaluates the information obtained; and performs the necessary survey work associated with the initial location or re-identification of property lines, section corners, and surveying monuments.
  • Operate theodolites, levels, electronic distance measuring devices, and other equipment used in cadastral, geodetic, and engineering survey work.
  • Audit and verify survey data using programmable calculators to compute traverse closures and other geometric solutions.

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards. You must possess the Basic Requirements identified below to be considered qualified for this position, which includes all positive education requirements if applicable. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. When using previous work experience to qualify for the position, your resume must clearly detail the appropriate experience requirements. Basic Requirement: For GS-05 and GS-07:

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement as defined below. For more information on the qualifications for this position, go to https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=Group-StandardsDegree: land surveying; or civil engineering with a surveying option/emphasis. The civil engineering major must have included at least 6 semester hours of surveying, 3 semester hours of land law, and 21 additional semester hours in any combination of the following: surveying, photogrammetry, geodetic surveying, geodesy, route surveying, remote sensing, cartography, survey astronomy, land information systems, computer-aided mapping, aerial photo interpretation, and survey analysis and adjustments. OR Combination of education and experience -- courses equivalent to a major in land surveying or civil engineering as described in paragraph A, plus appropriate experience or additional education. OR The basic requirements for this series may be fully satisfied by a current registration as a land surveyor in a State, territory, or the District of Columbia obtained by written examination. Such registration must have been obtained under conditions outlined in the National Council of Engineering Examiners (NCEE) Unified Model Law for Registration of Surveyors. Applicants wishing to be considered under this provision must show evidence of registration based on successful completion of the written examinations. Registrations granted prior to adoption of a registration law with qualification requirements equivalent to the NCEE Model Law by the State, territory, or District of Columbia are not acceptable under this option. To be considered equivalent to the NCEE Model law, registration laws must include the four options listed within the NCEE Unified Model Law in the section specifying "General Requirements for Registration" as a Professional Land Surveyor. In addition to meeting the basic requirement, you must also possess experience and/or directly related education in the amounts listed below. Specialized Experience Requirement:

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. For the GS-5 level: No specialized experience required. Applicants who meet the basic education requirements described above are fully qualified for the GS-05 entry grade. For the GS-7 level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-5 grade level; OR one full year of graduate level education; OR an appropriate combination of graduate level education and specialized experience; OR Superior Academic Achievement (to determine if you are eligible, go to: http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/policy/ApplicationOfStds-04.asp.The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. Examples of specialized experience include most of the following: Check and compile field survey data; make appropriate mathematical computations for traverse closures. Under supervision of higher grade employees, conduct routine analysis, and prepare routine legal descriptions, plats, and/or survey reports. Receive training and experience in the practical application of basic land surveying principles, theories, methods, techniques and practices. Work closely with higher grade professionals and technicians to acquire the experience necessary to plan, organize, and execute field surveying projects. Please note that Superior Academic Achievement cannot be applied unless you have graduated and have been awarded the degree (the final GPA is required). The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. TIME IN GRADE REQUIREMENT FOR GS-07 ONLY: If you are a current federal employee in the General Schedule (GS) pay plan and applying for a promotion opportunity, you must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirements of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. This requirement must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

Pay Range

$33,949.00 - $54,670.00

More information...

End Date: 

Thursday, November 21, 2019