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Survey Technician

Department of the Army
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
ENGINEERING DIVISION, DESIGN SERVICES BR, SURVEY SEC

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.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
No
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$40,736 - $97,087 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 5 - 11
Promotion potential
11
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 50% of duty time 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
Yes
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-26-13081249-MP
Control number
888629200

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Duties

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  • Provide field surveys, troubleshoot systems/equipment and a variety of complex problems, interfacing with internal and external stakeholders.
  • Develop scopes of work and estimate level of effort to collect surveys, schedule field work, organize/maintain survey related data.
  • Utilize analytical and diagnostic techniques, qualitative and quantitative techniques, and related emerging practices and methods to provide advice on technical services.
  • Survey field conditions to obtain topographic/hydrographic information for project incorporation into plans.
  • Produce and review survey data processing, survey data quality control checks, mapping, modeling, and metadata.
  • Develop detailed government estimates including labor rates, hours of effort, per diem, supplies, and vehicle costs.
  • Utilize historical data research, geodetic control questions, logistics, supplies, travel, standard operating procedures (SOPs), estimates, and scope of work questions to deliver field surveys.

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.
  • Moderate to heavy lifting up to 50 lbs is required.
  • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Boat License required to be obtained/maintained.
  • Valid Driver's License is required.
  • Pre-employment and recurring physical exam required.
  • Pre-employment and recurring drug testing required.
  • Level III certification from the National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS) Certified Survey Technician (CST) certification program.
  • Position requires the use of personally-protective-equipment (PPE) such as hard hats, steel-toed boots, eye protection, and a respirator in emergencies.
  • Relocation/PCS NOT authorized.
  • Recruitment/Relocation/Retention Incentives NOT authorized.
  • See other requirements below.

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 a list of document requirements for all employment authorities.

  • Current Civilian Employees of the Command
  • 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 education and experience requirements described below. Exp. refers to paid/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 exp., including volunteer exp. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant exp.; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.
GS-5
Specialized Experience: I have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-04 grade level in the Federal service which includes meeting one of the following: 1)Work on a survey team; 2)Utilize survey equipment such as Global Positioning Systems (GPS), Real Time Kinematic Systems (RTK) and/or other survey equipment; 3)Utilize Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and/or other specialized systems such as Terrestrial Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR), etc.; 4)review survey field data for accuracy; 5)Conducting various types of field surveys utilizing multiple equipment platforms; 6) Apply knowledge of mapping and/or survey techniques; and 7)review contractor submittals and/or survey data. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-04).
OR
Education:
I have completed a full 4-yr course of study leading to a bachelor's degree from an accredited/pre-accredited institution (a) with major study in an appropriate field of surveying, eng., const., or industrial tech.; OR (b)that included at least 24 semester hours in any combination of the following courses: surveying, engineering, industrial technology, construction, physics, drafting, forestry, geography, navigation, cartography, physical science, or mathematics. Transcripts must be attached.
OR
Combination of Education and Experience:
I have the specialized exp. as described in A, but less than one year; and I have some edu. leading to a bachelor's degree but less than required in B. I have computed the % of the requirements that I meet, and the total is at least 100% (To compute the percentage, divide your total months of qualifying exp. by 12. Then, divide your semester hours of edu. beyond two years (total semester hours minus 60) by 60. Add the two percentages. The total % must equal at least 100% to qualify.). Transcripts must be attached.
GS-6
Specialized Experience:
I have one year of specialized exp. equivalent to the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service which includes meeting two of the following: 1) Work on a survey team; 2) Utilize survey equipment such as Global Positioning Systems (GPS), Real Time Kinematic Systems (RTK) and/or other survey equipment; 3) Utilize Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and/or other specialized systems such as Terrestrial Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR), etc.; 4) Certified Survey Tech Level 1; 5) Conducting various types of field surveys utilizing multiple equipment platforms; 6) Apply knowledge of mapping and/or survey techniques; and 7)reviewing contractor submittals and/or survey data. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-05).
OR
Education:
I have successfully completed one semester (9 semester credits) of graduate level education in a field directly related to the work of the position, such as surveying technology. Transcripts must be attached.
OR
Combination of Education and Experience:
I have the specialized exp. as described in A, but less than one year; and I have some graduate level edu. as described in B, but less than the required one year. I have computed the % of the requirements that I meet, and the total is at least 100% (To compute the %, divide your total months of qualifying exp. by 12., divide your semester hours of graduate edu. by 18. Add the two percentages. The total % must equal at least 100% to qualify.). Transcripts must be attached.
GS-7
Specialized Experience: I have one year of specialized exp. equivalent to the GS-06 grade level in the Federal service which includes meeting three of the following and Certified Survey Tech Level 1: 1)Work on a survey team; 2)Utilize survey equipment such as Global Positioning Systems (GPS), Real Time Kinematic Systems (RTK) and/or other survey equipment; 3)Utilize Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and/or other specialized systems such as Terrestrial Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR), etc.; 4)Certified Survey Tech Level 1; 5)Conducting various types of field surveys utilizing multiple equipment platforms; 6)Apply knowledge of mapping and/or survey techniques; and 7)reviewing contractor submittals and/or survey data. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-06).
OR
Education:
I have successfully completed one full academic year of graduate level education in a field directly related to the work of the position, such as surveying technology. Transcripts must be attached.
OR
Combination of Education and Experience:
I have the specialized exp. as described in A, but less than one year; and I have some graduate level edu. as described in B, but less than the required one year. I have computed the % of the requirements that I meet, and the total is at least 100% (To compute the %, divide your total months of qualifying exp. by 12. Then, divide your semester hours of graduate education by 18. Add the two percentages. The total % must equal at least 100% to qualify.). Transcripts must be attached.
GS-8
Specialized Experience: I have one year of specialized exp. equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service which includes four of the following and Certified Survey Tech Level 1: 1)Work on a survey team; 2)Utilize survey equipment such as Global Positioning Systems (GPS), Real Time Kinematic Systems (RTK) and/or other survey equipment; 3)Utilize Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and/or other specialized systems such as Terrestrial Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR), etc.; 4)Certified Survey Tech Level 1; 5) Conducting various types of field surveys utilizing multiple equipment platforms; 6)Apply knowledge of mapping and/or survey techniques; and 7)reviewing contractor submittals and/or survey data. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-07).
OR
Education:
I have successfully completed one and a half years (i.e., 27 semester hours) of graduate level education in a field directly related to the work of the position, such as surveying technology. Transcripts must be attached.
OR

Education

Combination of Education and Experience: I have the specialized exp. as described in A, but less than one year; and I have some graduate level edu. as described in B, but less than the required one and a half years. I have computed the % of the requirements that I meet, and the total is at least 100% (To compute the percentage, divide your total months of qualifying exp. by 12.Then, divide your semester hours of graduate edu. beyond the first year (total semester hours minus 18) by 9. Add the two percentages. The total % must equal at least 100% to qualify.). Transcripts must be attached.
GS-9
Specialized Experience:
I have one year of specialized exp. equivalent to the GS-08 grade level in the Federal service which includes five of the following and Certified Survey Tech Level 2: 1)Work on a survey team; 2)Utilize survey equipment such as Global Positioning Systems (GPS), Real Time Kinematic Systems (RTK) and/or other survey equipment; 3)Utilize Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and/or other specialized systems such as Terrestrial Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR), etc.; 4)Certified Survey Tech Level 1; 5) Conducting various types of field surveys utilizing multiple equipment platforms; 6)Apply knowledge of mapping and/or survey techniques; and 7)reviewing contractor submittals and/or survey data. This definition of specialized exp. is typical of work performed at the lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-08).
OR
Education:
I have a master's or equivalent graduate degree or full years of progressively higher-level graduate edu. leading to such a degree; only in those instances where it is directly related to the work of the position. Transcripts must be attached.
OR
Combination of Education and Experience: I have the specialized exp. as described in A, but less than one year; and I have more than one year but less than the required edu. in B. I have computed the % of the requirements that I meet, and the total is at least 100% (To compute the percentage, divide your total months of qualifying exp. by 12. Then divide your semester hours of graduate by 18. Add the two percentages. The total % must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. Transcripts must be attached.
GS-10
Specialized Experience:
I have one year of specialized exp. equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service which includes meeting six of the following and Certified Survey Tech Level 2: 1)Work on a survey team; 2)Utilize survey equipment such as Global Positioning Systems (GPS), Real Time Kinematic Systems (RTK) and/or other survey equipment; 3)Utilize Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and/or other specialized systems such as Terrestrial Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR), etc.; 4)Certified Survey Tech Level 1; 5)Conducting various types of field surveys utilizing multiple equipment platforms; 6)Apply knowledge of mapping and/or survey techniques; and 7)reviewing contractor submittals and/or survey data. This definition of specialized exp. is typical of work performed at the lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-09).
OR
Education:
I have one year of education above a master's degree leading towards a Ph.D. or equivalent leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work of the position. Transcripts must be attached.
OR
Combination of Education and Experience:
I have the specialized exp. as described in A, but less than one year; and I have more than one year but less than the required edu. in B. I have computed the % of the requirements that I meet, and the total is at least 100% (To compute the percentage, divide your total months of qualifying exp. by 12. Then divide your semester hours of graduate by 18. Add the two percentages. The total % must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. Transcripts must be attached.
GS-11
Specialized Experience
: I have one year of specialized exp. equivalent to the GS-10 grade level in the Federal service which includes meeting all of the following and Certified Survey Tech Level 3: 1)Work on a survey team; 2)Utilize survey equipment such as Global Positioning Systems (GPS), Real Time Kinematic Systems (RTK) and/or other survey equipment; 3) Utilize Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and/or other specialized systems such as Terrestrial Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR), etc.; 4) Certified Survey Tech Level 1; 5)Conducting various types of field surveys utilizing multiple equipment platforms; 6)Apply knowledge of mapping and/or survey techniques; and 7)reviewing contractor submittals and/or survey data. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-10).
OR
Education:
I have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate edu. leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, related to position. Transcripts must be attached.
OR
Combination of Education and experience:
I have a combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed % of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the % of the requirements, divide your total months of exp. by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the second year (total graduate semester hours minus 36) by 18. Add the two percentages. Transcripts must be attached.

Time in Grade Requirement: Applicants who have held a(GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent GS.

Additional information

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

  • 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 Engineers and Scientists (Resources and Construction) Career Program position aligned under the Construction, Analysis, Science, Infrastructure & Engineers (CASIE) Career Management Directorate.
  • Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
  • Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
  • 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.
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


The USA Hire Assessments includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment.

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.

Military Spouse Preference (MSP) applicants will receive preference consideration and will be placed (if selected) at the highest grade for which they have applied and are determined best qualified, up to and including the full performance level.

You may claim Priority Placement Program (PPP) preference.

DoD Priority Placement Program (PPP) Applicants will receive preference consideration at the full-performance grade level only.

Only MSP/PPP applicants currently occupying a formal training program position are entitled to exercise their priority status.

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.

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At USACE, you will find meaningful work, collaborative teams, and opportunities to grow your career while making a lasting impact. We seek talented professionals with vision, creativity, leadership, and technical expertise to help solve some of the Nation's toughest engineering challenges.

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Agency contact information

Army Applicant Help Desk
Website
https://portal.chra.army.mil/hr_public?id=app_inq
Address
RG-W2R902 US ARMY ENGINEER DISTRICT-NEW ORLEANS
DO NOT MAIL
New Orleans, LA 70118
US

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