You will serve as a Hydrologic Technician performing hydrologic duties to support a Field Office at one of the six locations listed on this Job Opportunity Announcement (JOA).
The Field Offices are aligned with the Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Division, Operations Department, United States Section, International Boundary and Water Commission (USIBWC).
Summary
You will serve as a Hydrologic Technician performing hydrologic duties to support a Field Office at one of the six locations listed on this Job Opportunity Announcement (JOA).
The Field Offices are aligned with the Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Division, Operations Department, United States Section, International Boundary and Water Commission (USIBWC).
Status Candidates (Merit Promotion and VEOA Eligiblies), Certain Military Spouses, Former Overseas Employees, Peace Corps and AmeriCorps Vista, Schedule A, and certain Land Management Eligibles; and the Public (All U.S. Citizens)
You must be a U.S. Citizen or Naturalized U.S. Citizen.
You may need to successfully complete a background investigation before appointed into the position.
You may be required to serve a one year probationary period.
You must maintain direct deposit for your Federal pay.
You must possess and maintain a valid U.S. Motor Vehicle driver license, without impeding restrictions, and issued by a U.S. state, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory.
You may be required to enter Mexico to carry out official agency business.
You will be required to complete an Immunization Declaration Form.
You may be required to operate a boat in open water and wading streams, in various types of water and flow conditions.
Qualifications
Qualifications must be met by the initial cut-off date of March 10, 2020, and each additional cut-off date as determined by management; if it is necessary to provide a certificate upon the announcement closing, qualifications must then be met by 12/31/2020
Minimum Qualification Requirement - Applicants must meet all qualifications by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.
Grade Differential: All five grade levels perform a wide range of tasks similar in nature to those described in the listing of functional area duties and responsibilities. At the four lower levels the employee will be assigned work designed to further develop and refine their technical knowledge and skills. Assignments will typically combine productive work with ongoing training and instruction. Supervision received at the four lower grade levels will be closer with oversight and review being provided on a regular basis.
Specialized Experience: Experience that equips the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level. Defined as: collecting hydrologic field measurements (i.e. stage, level, discharge); installing and utilizing weirs, flumes, or velocity sensors to collect hydrologic data; operating automated hydrologic or water quality sampling equipment such as automated samplers; assisting with analyzing water quantity or water quality data using specialized software; working as a technician or aid in engineering earth, physical or natural science, forestry, soil conservation, surveying, trades or crafts work in maintenance or construction of facilities or equipment related to hydrology, drafting, construction estimating, if it equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of this position.
If you are qualifying based on specialized experience, you must meet the requirements listed below: For GG-4:6 months of general experience and 6 months of specialized experience equivalent to the GG-3 level in 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 process of the broad subject area of this occupation; 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. For GG-5: 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GG-4 defined as: assisting with collecting hydrologic field measurements (i.e. stage, level, discharge); assisting with installing and utilizing weirs, flumes, or velocity sensors to collect hydrologic data; operating automated hydrologic or water quality sampling equipment such as automated samplers; and assisting with analyzing water quantity or water quality data using specialized software. For GG-6: 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GG-5 defined as: collecting hydrologic field measurements (i.e. stage, level, discharge); assisting with installing and utilizing weirs, flumes, or velocity sensors to collect hydrologic data; operating automated hydrologic or water quality sampling equipment such as automated samplers; and assisting with analyzing water quantity or water quality data using specialized software. For GG-7: 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GG-6 defined as: collecting hydrologic field measurements (i.e. stage, level, discharge); assisting with installing and utilizing weirs, flumes, or velocity sensors to collect hydrologic data; operating automated hydrologic or water quality sampling equipment such as automated samplers; and assisting with analyzing water quantity or water quality data using specialized software. For GG-8: 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GG-7 defined as: collecting hydrologic field measurements (i.e. stage, level, discharge); utilizing weirs, flumes, or velocity sensors to collect hydrology data; operating automated hydrology or water quality sampling equipment such as automated samplers; and analyzing water quantity or water quality data using specialized software.
OR:
If you are qualifying based on Education: For GG-4: Successful completion of 2 years of study that included at least 12 semester hours in any combination of courses such as engineering, industrial technology, construction drafting, surveying, physical science, biology, or mathematics. For GG-5: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with (a) major study in an appropriate field of science, engineering, construction, or industrial technology, or (b) that included at least 24 semester hours in any combination of courses such as engineering, industrial technology, construction drafting, surveying, physical science, biology, or mathematics. For GG-6: 1 full year of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent degree, if directly related to the position, related degrees may include agricultural engineering, environmental science or natural resources. For GG-7: 1 full year of graduate level education or a Master's degree, if directly related to the position, related degrees may include agricultural engineering, environmental science, or natural resources. For GG-8: 2 full years of graduate level education or a Master's degree, if directly related to the
position, related degrees may include agricultural engineering, environmental science, or natural resources.
Special Factor(s): AQuality Ranking Factor (QRF) is a specific qualification an applicant may possess that would enhance performance in the position. For this position a QRF has been identified as follows: Possess knowledge of conversational Spanish sufficient to converse with stakeholders, landowners, and officials of the Mexican government regarding topics pertaining to the field office mission.
For MP Applicants Only:
Time in Grade (TIG): Current or former Federal employees must have a minimum of 52 weeks at the next lower grade level to be eligible under Merit Promotion procedures. An SF-50 must be provided that verifies eligibility as stated in the Area of Consideration section.
Your resume must have complete information: Please ensure your resume accurately reflects the duties and responsibilities under each position you have held with each employer. In describing your experience, please be clear and specific. It is your responsibility to make sure your resume states complete information for each job entry (beginning and ending dates of employment stated as MM/YYYY; and total hours worked per week). If your resume does not provide enough information regarding your work history for us to make a creditable qualification determination, your application package may be rendered disqualified and you will no longer be considered for this position.
Part-Time or Unpaid Experience: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid work on the same basis as for paid experience. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. To receive credit for such experience you must indicate clearly the nature of the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the number of hours per week spent in such employment.
Education
When there is a positive education requirement, or you are using education to qualify as a substitution for experience, transcripts (unofficial) are required at the time of application to verify that you meet the educational requirement or substitution.
Only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education may be credited. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: https://www2.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html.
Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html .
Additional information
If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and you are claiming veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (member-4 copy is preferred) or other proof of eligibility that shows the dates you were on active duty and your character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are claiming Disabled Veterans' preference you must also submit documentation of disability (i.e. VA Disability Verification Letter) and the SF-15, "Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference." For more information on veterans' preference see http://www.fedshirevets.gov/
Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see www.sss.gov ).
The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be rated in well-qualified by scoring 85 or higher on the assessment for this vacancy. Additional information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/
The hiring agency will use this announcement to fill similar positions that become vacant in the near future.
If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.
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.
Once the announcement has closed, a qualifications review will be conducted. Resumes and supporting documents will be reviewed to verify eligibility and determine qualifications. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.
Your rating will be based on the responses to the assessment questionnaire and the information provided in your resume. If a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your rating may be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities. This could cause you to lose consideration for this position.
Your qualifications will be evaluated on your entire application and the extent to which you demonstrate the following competencies and/or knowledge, skills, and abilities:
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.
All applicants are required to submit the following documents:
Resume: Please include employment dates and a detailed description for each job entry.
Completed occupational questionnaire
College transcripts, if using education to meet a qualifications requirement.
Applicants applying under MP procedures are required to submit the following documents:
Proof of eligibility for merit promotion as described under the Area of Consideration section: Current or former federal civilian employees must submit an SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, indicating the title, series, grade, appointing authority, and tenure to verify eligibility for merit promotion appointment
Veteran's applying under DE or MP procedures, that claim veteran's preference must submit the following documents:
Veterans' Preference Documentation (if applicable): All Veterans: DD-214 (Member 4 copy is preferred), which includes character of service, or for Active Duty Service Members a certification which includes service dates, type of separation, and character of service. A "certification" is a written document from the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted.
Disabled Veterans: VA Disability Letter (with percentage of disability) OR document of disability determination from a branch of the armed forces which reflects a compensable service-connected disability rating.
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.
To apply for this position, you must complete the Occupational Questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.
To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package.
It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/10726689~
United States Section, International Boundary and Water Commission
4191 N. Mesa Street
El Paso, TX 79902
US
Next steps
Once the online questionnaire is received, you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. Based upon your score, you may be referred to the hiring official. If your name is referred to the hiring official, you may be contacted directly by that office for a possible interview.
You will receive status notifications through Application Manager or via email within 4-6 weeks.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
All applicants are required to submit the following documents:
Resume: Please include employment dates and a detailed description for each job entry.
Completed occupational questionnaire
College transcripts, if using education to meet a qualifications requirement.
Applicants applying under MP procedures are required to submit the following documents:
Proof of eligibility for merit promotion as described under the Area of Consideration section: Current or former federal civilian employees must submit an SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, indicating the title, series, grade, appointing authority, and tenure to verify eligibility for merit promotion appointment
Veteran's applying under DE or MP procedures, that claim veteran's preference must submit the following documents:
Veterans' Preference Documentation (if applicable): All Veterans: DD-214 (Member 4 copy is preferred), which includes character of service, or for Active Duty Service Members a certification which includes service dates, type of separation, and character of service. A "certification" is a written document from the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted.
Disabled Veterans: VA Disability Letter (with percentage of disability) OR document of disability determination from a branch of the armed forces which reflects a compensable service-connected disability rating.
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.
To apply for this position, you must complete the Occupational Questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.
To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package.
It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/10726689~
United States Section, International Boundary and Water Commission
4191 N. Mesa Street
El Paso, TX 79902
US
Next steps
Once the online questionnaire is received, you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. Based upon your score, you may be referred to the hiring official. If your name is referred to the hiring official, you may be contacted directly by that office for a possible interview.
You will receive status notifications through Application Manager or via email within 4-6 weeks.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
