Summary
Reclamation is seeking a career professional looking for an opportunity to capitalize on his or her expertise as a Hydrologic Technician. Make a difference in the West by assisting in meeting increasing water demands while protecting the environment.
Location – Friant, California
This job is open to
Clarification from the agency
U.S. Citizens and U.S. Nationals
Duties
Position may be filled at the GS-07, GS-08, or GS-09 level. The duties of this position are developmental in nature, leading to the full performance level of GS-09.
At the full performance GS-09 level, the incumbent serves as a Hydrologic Technician responsible for carrying out surface water and/or ground water investigations to ensure stable, efficient, and accurate water delivery systems.. The incumbent may be non-competitively promoted to the next level of the position upon meeting all regulatory requirements; certification by the supervisor of successful performance; completion of all training requirements; and the availability of work at the next higher grade level. Note: Promotion is not automatic.
-Performs independent water and affiliated resource studies and evaluations.
-Work includes use of test instruments to verify data and calibrate equipment, operating and maintaining 23 water quality stations, conducting water sampling programs as required, providing periodic data for operational purposes, and performing special studies to record conditions during unseasonable rains, extended drought, and unusually high tides or other extraordinary conditions.
-Conducts studies pertaining to the monitoring parameters of water quality and water quality flows, reservoir releases, wind, and other factors affecting water quantity and quality.
-Develops and carries out water quality studies and investigations.
-Maintains the functional reliability of water monitoring stations and affiliated natural resource data stations to meet programmatic objectives.
-Plans, directs, and performs preventive maintenance for water quality stations.
-Prepares work statements, specifications, or task orders for the completion of operation studies by consulting firms on contract with Reclamation.
-Provides expert advice to satisfy advisory requests.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
To be eligible, an applicant must meet the following:
- U.S. Citizen or National
- Suitability for Federal employment determined by background investigation
- Submit a resume and supporting documentation – See How to Apply
- Meet specialized experience requirements – See Qualifications
- Submit transcripts, if required, to verify education requirements
- For veterans consideration, submit documents under Required Documents
- You will be required to obtain a successful pre-employment physical examination by a licensed physician certifying your ability to perform the duties of this position.
- If selected, the selectee will be required to obtain a successful pre-employment physical examination by a licensed physician certifying to his/her ability to perform the duties of this position. A physical exam may not be required if a comparable agency approved examination was performed within the last 12 months. The cost of the exam will be reimbursed by the agency.
- The selectee must maintain a valid State Driver’s License at all times as the position requires operation of government vehicles on government and public roads. Failure to maintain a valid State Driver’s License at all times will result in removal from the position.
- During certain times may be required to work more than 8 hours per day or weekends.
- Operates motor vehicles, boats, and mobile equipment in the accomplishment of assigned duties. All equipment is to be operated in regards to Bureau of Reclamation, and area office regulations and guide lines.
- Routinely operates small crafts and boats on reservoirs and rivers. Incumbent must be able to obtain certification to operate a water vessel by completing Reclamation’s training on Motorboat Operation Certification Course (MOCC).
Qualifications
Applicants must have one year of specialized experience or additional education as defined below:
GS-07: To qualify at the GS-07 level, applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-06 in Federal service OR one year of progressively higher-level graduate education in a field related to the work of the position. Specialized experience at this level is defined as experience using a variety of water measuring devices to collect, compute, or process hydrologic data gathered from rivers, streams, wells etc.; using software applications to compute and generate hydrologic data, charts and reports, and installing and maintaining water measurement instruments and devices to assure accuracy of data collection. These examples are not all inclusive.
GS-08: To qualify at the GS-08 level, applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 in Federal service OR 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education or a master’s degree in a field related to the work of the position. Specialized experience at this level is defined as experience applying principles of basic hydrologic operations and various analytical instrumentation to collect, compute, or process hydrologic data gathered from rivers, streams, wells etc.; using software applications to compute and generate hydrologic data, charts and reports, conduct various phases of projects or operations; ensure compliance with rules or regulatory requirements; identify and correct deficiencies; conduct technical studies of hydrologic data collected. These examples are not all inclusive.
GS-09: To qualify at the GS-09 level, applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-08 in Federal service OR 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education or a master’s degree in a field related to the work of the position. Specialized experience at this level is defined as experience preparing hydrologic data for operational studies; conducting various phases of projects or operations; performs hydrologic studies and analysis; ensuring accuracy of hydrologic data obtained; experience researching water rights, water usage, collecting current hydrologic data and using software applications to compute and analyze this data and present in reports, charts, graphs etc. These examples are not all inclusive.
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. Applicants will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
You must meet all Eligibility and Qualification requirements, including Any selective placement factors if applicable, by 02/17/2023.
Education
This vacancy announcement allows substituting education for experience. Applicants must submit a copy of college transcript(s) (unofficial copy is acceptable) to support claimed education if substituting education for experience. Transcripts must include the name of the college or university and date the degree was conferred. A typed list of courses, grades, semester/quarter hours, GPA, etc. will not be accepted. Non-submission may result in being rated not-qualified for the position.
Accreditation: Only education from an accredited college or university recognized by the Department of Education is acceptable to meet education requirements or to substitute for experience, if applicable. For additional information, please go to the Office of Personnel Management at https://www.opm.gov/qualifications/ and U.S. Department of Education websites at https://www2.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html websites.
Foreign Education: To receive credit for education completed outside the United States, applicants must show proof that the education has been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education has been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs. For further information visit: https://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html
Additional information
You may be required to serve an initial probationary period.
Telework: Reclamation has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisory approval.
If otherwise eligible and qualified, you may be offered a recruitment or relocation incentive. The decision to offer an incentive will be made on a case-by-case basis and is neither promised nor guaranteed. For information visit: Recruitment Incentive or Relocation Incentive.
If otherwise eligible and qualified, you may be offered a Student Loan Repayment Benefit (SLRB). The decision to offer an SLRB will be made on a case-by-case basis and is neither promised nor guaranteed. For information visit: SLRB Program.
If otherwise eligible and qualified, you may request consideration for a Superior Qualifications Appointment. For information, visit: OPM Fact Sheet.
Related non-Federal experience or related experience as retired members of the uniformed services may be credited towards computing entitlement to leave accrual, at managerial discretion, providing that experience meets certain criteria. This provision allows new employees to earn annual leave at a higher rate than would otherwise be allowed. (5 Code of Federal Regulations, 630). For additional information, please visit: Creditable Service for Annual Leave
DOI uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including applicant rights and responsibilities, please visit https://www.e-verify.gov/
This position is designated as a LOW RISK position. It requires a fully completed and favorably adjudicated SF85 Background Investigation (T1 or equivalent) that is current (within the last 5 years). This is a condition of employment.
Selective Service: Male applicants born after December 31, 1959 must certify registration with the Selective Service System or that the applicant is exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. Go to: https://www.sss.gov
Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement.
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Category rating and selection procedures will be used to evaluate applications from this announcement. If an applicant meets the basic qualification requirements, his/her on-line responses to the vacancy assessment questionnaire will be used to determine the quality and extent of his/her experience, education, training, etc., for placement in one of the following categories: 1) Best Qualified, 2) Well Qualified, and 3) Qualified. Qualified candidates will be assigned a numerical score on a scale of 70-100. The Category Rating Process does not add veterans’ preference points or apply the “rule of three” but protects the rights of Veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each quality category. Veterans’ preference eligibles who meet the minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent will be listed in the highest quality category (except in the case of scientific or professional positions at the GS-09 level or higher). The assessment questionnaire will take approximately 60 minutes to complete.
Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), the responses you provide to the application questionnaire, and the result of the additional assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following Competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):
- Compliance
- Flexibility
- Hydrology
- Physical Strength and Agility
In order to be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires successful completion of additional assessment(s), including a technical questionnaire and a subject matter expert resume review. . These assessments measure the critical competencies listed above that are required to successfully perform the job.
The application questionnaire can be previewed here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11799199
Your answers will be verified against information provided in your resume. Your resume must clearly support the responses to all the questions by addressing experience, education, and/or training relevant to this position. You must make a fair and accurate assessment of your qualifications. If a determination is made that you have rated yourself higher than what is apparent in the description of your experience, competencies, skills, and/or education/training (or that your resume/application is incomplete), you could be rated ineligible or your score could be lowered.
Applicants who apply under this job opportunity announcement agree to have their application, associated documents and applicable personal information shared with other Bureaus/Offices within the Department of the Interior (DOI) who have vacancies with the same occupational series, grade, full performance level and in the same geographic location(s). Applying to this announcement does not replace the need to apply to other job opportunity announcements for which you wish to receive consideration. You may choose to opt in of having your information shared with other agencies when applying for this position. If an agency requests a copy of a certificate you are on, you will be notified.
Required Documents
Please submit the supporting documents outlined below applicable to your claimed eligibility status and the position and grade to which you are applying. Failing to submit required documents will result in non-consideration due to an incomplete application package.
RESUME: You must submit a resume that demonstrates how skills and experiences through job duties meet the qualifications and requirements listed in the job announcement to be considered for the job. Each job experience must include dates of employment including start and end dates (month and year), work schedule (full-time or part-time), and hours worked per week. For more information, click here.
TRANSCRIPTS: Required for candidates using education as a basis for qualifications.
VETERANS: If you are entitled to veterans’ preference, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of your service which includes character of service. If claiming disability preference, you must also submit the disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Armed Service and the Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, Standard Form 15. For more information, click here.
CAREER TRANSITION PROGRAMS: Permanent Federal employees who are surplus, displaced, or involuntarily separated. You must submit a copy of their most recent performance appraisal, proof of eligibility, and most current SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with their application. To be considered under CTAP/ICTAP, you must be well-qualified (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including selective factors, education and experience requirements) and score at least 85.0 on the assessment questionnaire as established, and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry. For more information, click here
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
Applications (resume, assessment questionnaire, and supporting documentation) for this vacancy MUST be received online BEFORE midnight Eastern Time (Washington, DC time) on 02/17/2023. To apply, click the blue APPLY ONLINE button at the top of the page.
Do not submit photographs with the application package. Documents with photographs may not be seen by hiring officials – applicant must remove any images from badges, licenses, etc.
Agency contact information
BOR CA Great Basin Human Resources Office
Phone: 916-978-5476
Fax: 916-978-5563
Email: mpjobs@usbr.gov
Address
SCCAO
Bureau of Reclamation
1243 N Street
Fresno, CA 93721
US
Next steps
Upon successful submission of the application packet, applicants will receive a confirmation email from USAJOBS. If this email confirmation is not received by the applicant, the application has not yet been accepted by the system.
After all application packages have been received, resumes and supporting document(s) will be reviewed to ensure applicants meet the basic qualification requirements. Each applicant who meets the basic qualifications will be further evaluated on the information provided in the resume, application questionnaire, and other assessment criteria identified in the “How You Will Be Evaluated” section above. Best-qualified applicants will be referred to the selecting official. After making a tentative job offer, a suitability and/or security background investigation will be conducted. A final job offer is typically made within 40 days after the deadline for applications. Applicants should monitor their status for positions with the Bureau of Reclamation by regularly checking their public status notifications in the USAJOBS profile.
Fair & Transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
