Student Trainee (Hydrology) GS-1399-03/04 (CI-DC)

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Department of the Interior

Job Summary

General InformationIn order to be eligible to receive consideration for this position, youmustbe able to: (1) report to the duty station location listed in this vacancy announcement, if selected; and (2) be available to work the schedule identified.Salary: GS-03 $13.32 per hour (Step 01) to $17.32 per hour (Step 10); GS-04 $14.95 per hour (Step 01) to $19.44 per hour (Step 10); NOTE: First time hires to the Federal Government are typically hired atthe Step 01.

Major Duties

The USGS DAKOTA WATER SCIENCE CENTER is seeking undergraduate and graduate level students working towards a degree in geology, environmental science, engineering, physical science, or biology to gain practical experience in hydrology.

As a Student Trainee (Hydrology) you will serve in a trainee capacity, performing routine and recurring development assignments to acquire knowledge and understanding of functions, principles, practices, and methods used in the area of hydrologic science.

Duties include:

  • Gathering basic hydrologic data concerning quantity, quality, availability, movement and distribution of water.
  • Developing hydrologic and precipitation data for current projects.
  • Collecting and processing data to be used in computing stream discharge, determining ground water availability or calculating sediment, chemical, or biological concentrations and physical characteristics.

Work environment: work is physically demanding and includes walking, bending, climbing, and lifting of equipment up to 100 pounds when in the field, sometimes during adverse weather conditions. The work is primarily performed outdoors, and involves moderate or sometimes extreme exposure to the discomforts of rain, cold/hot weather, and rapidly running or icy streams and rivers. Special safety precautions are required and the employee typically wears life jackets, special safety boots, waders, and reflective rain gear.

Qualifications

Eligibility Requirements

In order to be eligible for an appointment under the Pathways Internship Program: You must be a student accepted for enrollment or enrolled in a degree or certificate program on a full- or half-time basis as defined by the school (certificate program means post-secondary education, in a qualifying educational institution, equivalent to at least one academic year of full-time study that is part of an accredited college-level, technical, trade, vocational, or business school curriculum); AND

Enrollment is with a qualifying educational institution such as a high school or state-approved homeschool; or 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; AND

Students currently enrolled must be in good academic standing maintaining a 2.0 grade point average on a cumulative basis; AND

The duties of this position should be related to your academic or career goals.

You must continue to meet these eligibility requirements throughout the duration of your appointment under the Pathways Internship Program. Students who successfully complete the internship program may be eligible for conversion to a permanent appointment or a term (1-4 years in duration) appointment without further competition. Eligibility requirements for conversion: must be a U.S. Citizen; complete at least 640 hours of work experience acquired through the Internship Program (*may waive up to a total of 320 hours under specific conditions); successfully complete your degree or certificate requirements from a qualifying institution; meet the qualification requirements for the position to which you will be converted; meet agency-specific requirements as outlined in the Participant's Agreement; and must have performed successfully in your position as documented through performance evaluations. *NOTE: To learn more about the conditions under which a portion of the work experience hours may be waived, visithttps://www.usgs.gov/about/organization/science-support/human-capital/st....

Qualification Requirements

This internship is geared toward students majoring in one of the following areas of study: geology, environmental science, engineering,physical science, or biology.For more information on basic qualifications, please click on the following: Hydrologic Technician job series requirements.GS-03: All applicants must meet at least one of the following to qualify for the GS-03 level:A. Six months of general experience of any kind that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work of the position. General experience is any type of work that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work of the position, or experience that provided a familiarity with the subject matter or processes of the broad subject area of the occupation; ORB. Successful completion of 1 year of study (30 semester hours/45 quarter hours) that included at least one course in subjects such as engineering, industrial technology, construction drafting, surveying, physical science, biology, or mathematics; ORC. Equivalent combination of successfully completed post-high school education and general experience, as described above.GS-04: All applicants must meet at least one of the following to qualify for the GS-04 level:A. Six months of general experience AND 6 months of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-03 level in the Federal service that is in or related to the duties of this position.General experience is any type of work that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work of the position to be filled, or experience that provided a familiarity with the subject matter or processes of the broad subject area of the occupation for which the applicant is applying.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-03 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; ORB. Successful completion of of two full years of study (60 semester hours/90 quarter hours) that included at least 12 semester hours, or the equivalent, in any combination of courses such as engineering, industrial technology, construction drafting, surveying, physical science, biology, or mathematics; ORC. Equivalent combination of successfully completed post-high school education and specialized and/or general experience.All applicants must meet qualification and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

Pay Range

$13.32 - $19.44

More information...

End Date: 

Friday, February 14, 2020