PDF versionJob Summary
General InformationTo be considered 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-2: $24,773 (Step 01)-$31,175 (Step 10) GS-3: $27,030 (Step 01)-$35,139 (Step 10) GS-4: $30,344 (Step 01)-$39,442 (Step 10) GS-5: $33,949 (Step 01)-$44,130 (Step 10) First time hires to the Federal Government are typically hired atthe Step 01.
Major Duties
The USGS KANSAS WATER SCIENCE CENTER is seeking an associate, undergraduate, graduate level student working towards a degree in physical science, natural science or engineering to gain practical experience in: taking measurements and collecting information; learning to take proper samples; conducting routine calculating, plotting, and checking of numerical data; preparing graphs and data profiles; and accomplishing routine analyses.
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 Hydrology.
Duties include:
- Gathering basic hydrologic data concerning any one or a combination of four areas: Quantity, quality, availability, and 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, sometimes during adverse weather conditions. Work performed outdoors involves moderate or sometimes extreme exposure to the discomforts of rain, cold/hot weather, and rapidly running or icy streams and rivers. 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 inone of the following areas of study:geology, environmental science, engineering, industrial technology, construction drafting, surveying, physical science, biology, or mathematics
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.GS-02:Applicantsmust meet one of the following to qualify for the GS-2 level:
A. Three months of experience of any kind that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work of the position;**OR B. High school graduation or the equivalent.
GS-3:Applicants must meet one of the following to qualify for the GS-3 level:
A. Six months of general experience of any kind that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work of the position;**OR
B. One full year of successfully completed education above the high school level with courses related to the occupation, if required
GS-4: Applicants must meet one of the following to qualify for the GS-4 level:
A. Six months of general experience and 6 months of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-3 level in the Federal service that is in or related to the duties of this position. NOTE: Excess specialized experience beyond the required 6 months may be substituted for general experience; i.e., one year of creditable specialized experience will meet the requirements for 6 months of general experience and 6 months of specialized experience. 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.
Examples of GS-3 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. For examples 1-5, a designated authority made assignments by giving complete, explicit oral and/or written instructions at the beginning of each assignment, covering work methods, available equipment, procedures, reference guidelines, etc. Recurring assignments were carried out within well-established procedures, with minimal instruction and were only infrequently spot checked or observed by a designated authority. Less routine assignments were occasionally checked in progress or upon completion. **OR
B. Applicants may substitute successful completion of two full years of study 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. **OR
C. A combination of successfully completed post-high school education and specialized and/or general experience may be used to meet the qualification requirements for the GS-04 level.
GS-5:Applicants must meet one of the following to qualify for the GS-5 level:
A. Applicants must meet one of the following to qualify for the GS-5 level: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-04 level in the Federal service that is in or related to the duties of this position.
Examples of GS-4 level work assignments include: 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. Applicants may substitute successful completion of a full four year 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. A combination of successfully completed post-high school education and specialized experience may be used to meet the qualification requirements for GS-5. Only progressive education 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 experience requirement.
All applicants must meet qualification and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
Pay Range
$24,773.00 - $44,130.00