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Hydrologic Technician

Department of the Interior
National Park Service
Curecanti National Recreation Area and Valles Caldera National Preserve
This job announcement has closed

Summary

These positions may be filled for a six month seasonal period, but can vary due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. Anticipated Entry on Duty: March-July 2024.

For more park(s) information, select "Learn more about this agency" below:

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
11/15/2023 to 11/29/2023
This job will close when we have received 75 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Salary
$18.06 to - $20.14 per hour

Salary does not include locality pay. For specific wage information, reference the OPM Salaries and Wages link in the Additional Information section

Pay scale & grade
GS 5 - 6
Locations
many vacancies in the following locations:
Curecanti NRA
Gunnison, CO
Valles Caldera NP
Jemez Springs, NM
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Temporary - (Not to Exceed 1039 hours)
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
IM-1539-IMDO-24-12187051-DE
Control number
760936200

Videos

Duties

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These positions perform hydrological support work under the direction of a professional. Performs routine functions such as collect various types of hydrologic data, operate hydrologic sampling and field equipment, Access and maintain computer records and databases, Input and retrieve data, run programs, and organize automated record keeping systems, prepare preliminary drafts on routine phases of water resource investigations for inclusion in broader reports. At the GS-06 grade level the position performs primarily routine functions, but with more independence than positions performing similar work at the GS-05 level.

Positions at Curecanti National Recreation Area will primarily involve routine hydrologic and water quality monitoring. Additional duties will include aquatic life monitoring such as sampling algal blooms, aquatic macroinvertebrates, and aquatic invasive species.

Positions at Valles Caldera National Preserve will include monitoring/calibrating Sonde instruments during May-October in 8 stream locations for water temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, pH and turbidity, and 12 flumes/stream gauges for stream discharge. In addition, the hydrology technician will assist with maintenance of 9 Remote Access Weather Stations. For watershed restoration projects, the hydrology technician will participate in field surveys of wetlands, streams, and erosion sites for project planning and monitoring activities. Data sets will be checked (QA/QC) for data quality and archived in Aquarius software (NPS standard database). The hydrology technician will assist with data analyses and report preparation for scientific studies, long-term monitoring reports, and 404 permit annual reporting.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship required.
  • Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
  • Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males.
  • Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program.
  • Depending on location, occupancy of government quarters may be required.
  • Depending on location, government housing may be available.
  • You may be required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
  • You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and/or shift work.
  • You may be required to travel overnight away from home occasionally.
  • You may be required to complete training and obtain/maintain a government charge card with travel and/or purchase authority.
  • You may be required to complete training and operate a four-wheel drive vehicle.
  • If selected for a position/location that requires search and rescue, emergency response, use of firearms, or watercraft operation, you will be required to submit to a drug test and receive a negative drug test result prior to appointment. In addition, this position is subject to random testing for illegal drug use.
  • If selected for a position/location required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties; a valid driver's license is required. You will be required to submit a Motor Vehicle Operator's License and Driving Record. You must also submit (within a State sealed envelope or submitted directly by the State authorities), and at your own expense, all certified driving records from all States that disclose all valid driver's licenses, whether current or past, possessed by you.
  • workload, and your work schedule is subject to change from part-time to full-time to on-call as workload dictates.
  • Applicants must be at least (1)18 years old or (2) at least 16 years old and: (a) Have graduated from high school or been awarded a certificate equivalent to graduating from high school; or (b) Have completed a formal vocational training program; or (c) Have received a statement from school authorities agreeing with their preference for employment rather than continuing their education; or (d) Be currently enrolled in a secondary school and either work only during school vacation periods or work part-time during the school year under a formal student employment program.

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-11/29/2023-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST clearly indicate the nature of the duties and responsibilities for each position, starting and ending dates of employment (month/year), and the resume must reflect full and/or part-time or total number of hours worked (i.e., work 40+ hours a week, rather than indicating full-time). If part-time, the hours must be annotated to be able to pro-rate the amount of qualified specialized experience.

To qualify for this position at the GS-5 grade level, you must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement:

  • SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-4 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform successfully the duties of a Hydrologic Technician. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include: 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. You must include hours per week worked.-OR-
  • EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with (1) major study in an appropriate field of science, engineering, construction, or industrial technology, or (2) 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. You must include transcripts.-OR-
  • Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. I have successfully completed over 60 semester hours/90 quarter hours, which included at least 24 semester hours in courses such as engineering, industrial technology, construction drafting, surveying, physical science, biology, or mathematics AND specialized experience, as described above. You must include transcripts.
To qualify for this position at the GS-6 grade level, you must possess the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement:
  • SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-5 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform successfully the duties of a Hydrologic Technician. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include: 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. You must include hours per week worked.
Volunteer Experience: 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.

ICTAP/CTAP Statement: Current surplus and current or former displaced Federal individuals who have special prior­ity selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) must be well qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection. Well qualified means that the applicant meets the following: OPM qualification standards for the position; all selective placement factors, where applicable; special qualifying conditions that OPM has approved for the position, where applicable; is physically qualified with reasonable accommodation, where appropriate to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry; and is rated by the organization at least at the well qualified level on all competencies.

Education

To qualify based on education, you must submit a legible copy of transcripts from an accredited institution with your name, school name, credit hours, course level, major(s), and grade-point average or class ranking. Transcripts do not need to be official, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work.

If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet qualification requirements, you must show that your 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.

Additional information

A selectee receiving a first appointment to the Federal Government (Civil Service) is entitled only to the lowest step of the grade for which selected. The display of a salary range on this vacancy shall not be construed as granting an entitlement to a higher rate of pay.

Click here for the OPM Salaris and Wages General Schedule (opm.gov) to calculate locality pay.to calculate locality pay.

This job opportunity announcement will be used to fill one or more additional selections at any time without notification.

Not all locations listed will be filling positions. Eligibility and qualifications will be verified if there is a vacancy for the location and grade for which you applied.

Positions will be filled at one grade level and have no promotion potential.

Non-Competitive Rehire Eligibility: Temporary seasonal employees can only maintain their non-competitive rehire eligibility if they work no more than a combined total of Temporary NTE less than 1040 hours anywhere in the National Park Service (NPS) within their established service year. Accordingly, non-competitive rehire eligibility allows for re-appointment to the same position or another position appropriate for temporary appointment with the same qualification requirements (5 CFR 316.402[b][7]), based on series and grade, anywhere in the major subdivision (NPS).

If you have held a temporary seasonal appointment in the past 12 months and have already worked the maximum temporary appointment less than 1040 hours during that period, you are still welcome to apply. However, please be aware that exceeding the limit of 1040 hours in your established service year will result in the loss of your non-competitive rehire eligibility.

The limit can be exceeded by working multiple temporary seasonal positions that result in a combined total greater than 1040 hours. The limit also can be exceeded by working a single temporary seasonal appointment that exceeds 1040 hours, unless granted an exception by OPM.

Employment may be terminated at any time due to fluctuations in funding levels, project needs, employee performance, or other considerations.

Physical Demands: The work is partially sedentary with prolonged standing, walking, and bending often required. Heavy items (e.g., equipment up to 50 pounds) must be lifted or moved on a routine basis.

Work Environment: Work is performed in both an office setting, which is typically well lighted and ventilated, and in the field, where the incumbent may encounter adverse weather conditions, steep or uneven terrain, and other nuisances.

The National Park Service has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework only during an emergency or natural disaster. Some positions may be able to telework.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document that you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application. Click the following link for more information, https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Alternate_Application_Information.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement.

A review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job. If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses provided in the Assessment Questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation, you will be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified', or your score will be adjusted accordingly. If a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications or experience, you can lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully; errors or omissions can affect your rating.

Candidates will be rated and ranked using Category Rating procedures. These procedures place candidates with veteran's preference above non-preference eligibles within each category. Veterans with a service connected disability of at least 10 percent are listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level or higher. Under Category Rating, candidates will be rated and ranked into one of three categories:

  • Best Qualified - applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are highly proficient in all requirements of the job and can perform effectively in the position
  • Well Qualified - applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in most of the requirements of the job
  • Qualified - applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in some, but not all of the requirements of the job.
You will be evaluated on the following competencies:
  • Data Management
  • Hydrology
  • Physical Strength and Agility
  • Technology Application


In order to be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration.

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