Land Surveyor

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Department of Agriculture

Job Summary

The Recent Graduates Program affords developmental experiences in the Federal Government intended to promote possible careers in the civil service to individuals who have recently graduated from qualifying educational institutions or programs. Current students who are scheduled to graduate within nine months may also apply to these positions. However, these students cannot be appointed until after graduation and the official degree has been awarded and conferred.

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

You are required to meet the eligibility requirements of the Recent Graduate program, as described below in order to be considered for this position. You must meet all the eligibility and qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, go to: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/tabs/group-standards/The minimum qualification requirements for each grade level of this vacancy announcement are described below: RECENT GRADUATES PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY To be eligible, you must meet one of the following requirements: Completed all requirements for an associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational, or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution within the previous two years; OR If you are a current student who is in the process of completing your degree, academic documentation must accompany your application package to validate your upcoming graduation date (you must complete all degree requirements within nine months of the application closing date to be considered a Recent Graduate); OR Due to military service obligation, you were precluded from applying to the Recent Graduate Program during any portion of the two-year eligibility period described above. This eligibility period cannot extend more than six years from the date on which the requirement for the academic degree or certificate was received. Applicants can qualify by meeting the EDUCATION requirements specified below and/or the SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE requirements. You must possess the qualifications requirements identified below to be considered qualified for this position. Your application or resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary. 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 above, 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 are: 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 can only be applied if you have graduated or completed (or expect to complete within 9 months) all the requirements for a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work.

Pay Range

$33,949.00 - $42,053.00

More information...

End Date: 

Thursday, November 21, 2019