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Survey Technician (Hydrographic)

Department of the Army
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Vicksburg Operations Division, River Operations, Navigation Unit

Summary

About the Position: Serves as a Survey Technician conducting various types of field surveys utilizing multiple equipment platforms, processing collected data, and presenting data in the required formats for delivery to end users.

This is a developmental position. Management may select at any of the grade level announced. Promotion opportunity to the target grade of the position without further competition upon eligibility.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—This position MAY be eligible for situational telework only, including emergency and OPM prescribed "Unscheduled Telework.determined by the agency policy.
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$50,460 - $97,087 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 7 - 11
Promotion potential
11 - May be selected at any grade level with non-competitive promotion potential to target grade. Non-competitive promotion potential to the target grade based on time-in-grade requirements and demonstrated ability to perform the higher graded duties.
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
50% or less - You may be expected to travel up to 30% for this position.
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Represented by a union
No
Drug test
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Financial disclosure required
No
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
CEDC-26-13030266-MP
Control number
879926200

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Duties

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  • Utilize Computer-Aided Drafting and Design (CADD), HYPACK, Geographic Information System (GIS), and other software technology.
  • Perform a variety of duties from building survey files, calculating coordinates, applying appropriate water datum, calibration of survey systems, and entering all necessary parameters and offsets into the various systems on board the survey vessel.
  • Process hydrographic survey data.
  • Serves as the field expert on hardware and software systems.
  • Develop maps from survey data by using various software programs.
  • Serves as the government representative and quality assurance inspector aboard government owned and contractor-operated dredges.
  • Monitors dredging operations, disposal activities, and hydrographic survey processes to ensure compliance.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
  • Appointment to this position may be subject to a one-year probationary period.
  • Incumbent may be required to travel (TDY) up to 30%.
  • This position required lifting of at least 40lbs.
  • Must obtain and maintain a Corps issued Class A vessel operator license.
  • Must obtain and maintain a National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) state-issued boater's license.
  • Position is designated as Non-Sensitive-No access is required.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: Only applicants who meet one of the employment authority categories below are eligible to apply for this job. You will be asked to identify which category or categories you meet, and to provide documents which prove you meet the category or categories you selected. See Proof of Eligibility for an extensive list of document requirements for all employment authorities.

  • Current Department of Army Civilian Employees
  • Domestic Defense Industrial Base/Major Range and Test Facilities Base Civilian Personnel Workforce
  • Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan
  • Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act
  • Military Spouses, under Executive Order (E.O.) 13473
  • Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technician Eligible
  • Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible
  • Priority Placement Program, DoD MR and NG Preference Eligible Tech Receiving Disability Retirement
  • Priority Placement Program, DoD Retained Grade Preference Eligible
  • Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) of 1998


In order to qualify, you must meet the experience requirements described below. 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.


Specialized Experience for GS-07: One year of specialized experience which includes: 1) Applying practical knowledge of basic theories and practices of surveying; and 2) Utilizing tools and GPS related equipment to assist in surveys. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-06)

Specialized Experience for GS-08: One year of specialized experience which includes: 1) Assisting in performing basic surveys; 2) Processing data through hydrographic survey technology; and 3) Utilizing tools and GPS related equipment to assist in surveys. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-07).

Specialized Experience for GS-09: One year of specialized experience which includes: 1)Assisting in performing basic surveys; 2)Assisting in processing single beam, multibeam, side scan sonar, and other high precision survey data; and 3) Performing setup and maintenance repair of survey equipment. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-08).

Specialized Experience for GS-10: One year of specialized experience which includes:1) Conducting pre and post dredging surveys; 2) Compiling field survey data for use in reports; and 3) Experience in Computer-Aided Drafting and Design (CADD), Geographic Information System (GIS), or other similar software technology. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-09).

Specialized Experience for GS-11: One year of specialized experience which includes:1) Producing maps, charts, drawings, and documents; 2) Collecting and processing single beam, multibeam, side scan and other high precision survey data; 3) Experience in Computer-Aided Drafting and Design (CADD), Geographic Information System (GIS), or other similar software technology; and 4) Coordinating survey efforts between other organizations or government agencies. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-10).

Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone--no substitution of education for experience is permitted.

Time in Grade Requirement:Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent (GS-06 for GS-07; GS-07 for GS-08; GS-08 for GS-09; GS-09 for GS-10; GS-10 for GS-11).

Additional information

  • Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
  • You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
  • This position requires a 1 year probationary period during which the agency evaluates your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In making this determination, the agency may consider your performance and conduct; agency needs and interests; whether your continued employment supports organizational or Government goals; and whether it promotes the efficiency of the Federal service. Continued employment requires written certification that it advances the public interest.
  • Direct deposit of pay is required.
  • Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
  • If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet.
  • This is a(n) Construction, Engineering, and Infrastructure Career Field position.
  • Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
  • Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
  • Position is designated as Non-Sensitive-No access is required.
  • Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is not authorized, based on a determination that a PCS move is not in the Government interest.
  • This position is Non-Exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act.
  • Nepotism: Under the provisions of 5 USC 3110, an individual may not be appointed into a position if the position is under the supervisory chain of command of a relative.
  • All qualification requirements must be met by closing date of this announcement.
  • This announcement may be used to fill like vacancies for three months after the closing date.
  • Management may select at any of the grade level announced.
Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Reasonable_Accommodations_for_USA_Hire

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), the responses you provide on the application questionnaire, and the result of the online assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

  • Attention to Detail
  • Customer Service
  • Decision Making
  • Flexibility
  • Integrity/Honesty
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Learning
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Self-Management
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Teamwork


Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

You may claim Military Spouse preference.

You may claim Priority Placement Program (PPP) preference.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP). If you are a Federal employee in the competitive service and your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority for this position. To receive selection priority, you must: (1) meet ICTAP eligibility criteria (2) be rated well-qualified for the position and; (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your ICTAP eligibility. To be considered well-qualified and receive selection priority applicants must satisfy all qualification requirements for the position and receive a score of 90 or above. Additional information about the program is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

At the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), we do not just construct infrastructure; we engineer the future of our Nation. From securing vital water resource infrastructure and restoring fragile ecosystems to designing world-class facilities for our armed forces and responding to natural disasters, our work touches lives every day.

By joining USACE, you will have the opportunity to contribute to high-impact, meaningful projects, collaborate with a diverse network of dedicated professionals, and advance your career. Here, your skills do not just build structures; they build national resilience, protect local communities, and support a safer, stronger tomorrow.

Build Strong With Us - explore our opportunities and engineer your legacy today.

Agency contact information

Army Applicant Help Desk
Website
https://portal.chra.army.mil/hr_public?id=app_inq
Address
RG-W2R904 US ARMY ENGINEER DISTRICT-VICKSBURG
DO NOT MAIL
Vicksburg, MS 39183
US

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https://www.usace.army.mil/Careers/

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