Job details
Salary $55,277 - $78,167 a year job type full-time
Full job description
Duties
Summary
What general information do i need to know about this position?
This is a term appointment not to exceed 13 months with possible extensions up to a total of 4 years without further competitionAppointment to this position will not convey permanent status in the federal service.
Salary:
Richmond, va: $55,277 (step 01) to $71,858 (step 10)
Charleston, va: $53,433 (step 01) to $69,462 (step 10)
Note: first time hires to the federal government are typically hired at the step 01.
Responsibilities
As a hydrologist within the virginia and west virginia water science center, some of your specific duties will include:
Manages monitoring - based projects to investigate changes in complex hydrologic investigations.
Performs investigations on the effects of changes in contaminant sources and pathways on resulting water-quality conditions.
Collects discrete and continuous measurements or samples of physical and chemical properties of water from a variety of hydrologic systemsConstructs and maintains water resource monitoring stations and electrical systems used to collect, store, and transmit continuous measurements of physical and chemical properties of water.
Performs statistical data analyses on data sets to characterize current conditions and to identify trends in conditions and interprets results.
Communicates findings from complex hydrologic investigations in technical reports and oral presentations to a wide variety of audiences, from technical experts to the general public.
Operates government owned vehicle as an incidental driver.
Physical demands:
The work regularly combines both office and field assignmentsField work requires physical exertion, such as long periods of standing, or recurring and considerable walking, stooping, bending, crouching, crawling, and climbing such as in regular and periodic construction activities and field inspectionsWork may also include frequent lifting of moderately heavy items weighing less than 50 poundsField assignments may also involve operating small watercraft, driving motor vehicles to work sites, some of which may be remote, and include overnight stays in remote locations.
Work environment:
The work involves regular and recurring exposure to moderate risks, discomforts, and unpleasantness such as: high noise levels, infectious materials, or toxic or irritating chemicals; travel in safety approved small aircraft and water craft; high winds and low or high temperatures; infestation of dangerous reptiles or poisonous plants, snakes, or insects; adverse weather conditions; noxious fumes; flammable liquids; or radiationThe work involves performing tasks in close proximity to rotating heavy mechanical and electrical machinery and may involve working within confined spaces for extensive periods of timeSpecial safety precautions such as protective clothing and gear are necessarySafety precautions and protocols are observed at all times and the scientist complies with safety instructions and regulations and ensures individual and others` safety by promptly reporting unsafe acts, unsafe conditions, and accidents to the supervisor.
Travel required
Occasional travel - you may be expected to travel for this position an average of 2 nights per month.
Supervisory status
No
Promotion potential
12
Job family (series)
1315 hydrology
Similar jobs
Hydrologists
Requirements
Requirements
Conditions of employment
Key requirements:
Applicants must be u.sCitizens.
Suitable for federal employment, as determined by background investigation.
Selectee may be subject to serving a one-year probationary period.
More requirements are listed under qualifications and other information.
Selectee must provide a valid state driver`s license & safe driving record.
Selectee subject to successful completion of a pre-employment medical exam.
Are there any special requirements for this position?
Because this position requires travel for official business, the selectee will be required to apply for a charge card within 30 calendar days of appointmentIndividuals who have delinquent account balances from a previous government charge card will be required to satisfy their existing obligation before a new card can be issued.
A background investigation will be required for this positionContinued employment will be subject to the applicant`s successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudicationFailure to successfully meet these requirements will be grounds for termination.
Throughout the recruitment and hiring process we will be communicating with you via email; therefore, it is imperative that the email address you provide when applying for this vacancy remains activeShould your email address change, please notify the point of contact identified in the vacancy announcement as soon as possible so that we can update our system.
Qualifications
Basic education requirement: applicants must meet a or b below to satisfy the basic education requirement for hydrologist, all grade levels.
ASuccessful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor`s or higher degree in physical or natural science, or engineering that included at least 30 semester hours or the equivalent in any combination of courses in hydrology, the physical sciences, geophysics, chemistry, engineering science, soils, mathematics, aquatic biology, atmospheric science, meteorology, geology, oceanography, or the management or conservation of water resourcesThe course work must have included at least 6 semester hours or the equivalent in calculus (including both differential and integral calculus), and at least 6 semester hours or the equivalent in physics**or
BA combination of education and experience-course work as shown in `a` above (30 semester hours or the equivalent in any combination of courses as specified in `a` above which must include at least 6 semester hours or the equivalent in calculus (including both differential and integral calculus), and at least 6 semester hours or the equivalent in physics), plus appropriate experience and/or additional education for a total of 4 yearsThe education or combined education and experience must be comparable in type, scope and thoroughness to that acquired through successful completion of a 4-year course of study as described in `a` above(click here for details on how to combine education and experience)
For gs-09:
In addition to the basic education requirement as stated above, applicants must meet one of the following to qualify for the gs-09 level:
2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education (36 semester hours, 54 quarter hours or the equivalent) leading to a master`s degree in hydrology or other directly related field of study or master`s or equivalent graduate degree in hydrology or other directly related field of study if it provided the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to do the work of this position.
**or one year of appropriate professional experience in hydrology that is equivalent to at least the gs-07 level in the federal service.
Examples of such experience include performing a variety of observations, computations, compilations and analyses in assisting higher level hydrologists in carrying out hydrologic assignmentsThis work experience would have involved following established methods and procedures, or detailed instructions; using some judgment in applying basic principles and procedures, and would have required a good general working knowledge of the principles and the theories of hydrology.
**or a combination of successfully completed progressive graduate level education, as described above, that is beyond the first year of graduate study and professional experience, as described above(click here for details on how to combine graduate education & experience)
You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements for the position by the closing date of the announcement.
Education
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through national service programs (e.gPeace 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 employmentYou will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Education completed in colleges or universities outside the united states may be used to meet the above requirementsYou must provide acceptable documentation that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the united statesFor more information on how foreign education is evaluated, visit: https://www.usgs.gov/about/organization/science-support/human-capital/how-foreign-education-evaluated-federal-jobs .
Additional information
Other information:
Applicants who include vulgar, offensive, or inappropriate language or information in their application package will be ineligible for further consideration for this position.
Identification of promotion potential in this announcement does not constitute a commitment or an obligation on the part of management to promote the employee selected at some future datePromotion will depend upon administrative approval and the continuing need for and performance of higher-level duties.
Under executive order 11935, only united states citizens and nationals (residents of american samoa and swains island) may compete for civil service jobsAgencies are permitted to hire non-citizens only in very limited circumstances where there are no qualified citizens available for the position.
Usgs employees are subject to title 43, usc section 31(a) and may not: (a) have any personal, private, direct or indirect interest in lands or mineral wealth of lands under survey; (b) have any substantial personal, private, direct or indirect interests in any private mining or mineral enterprise doing business with the united states; or (c) execute surveys or examinations for private parties or corporations.
The application contains information subject to the privacy act (p.l93-579, 5 usc 552a)The information is used to determine qualifications for employment, and is authorized under title 5, usc, section 3302 and 3361.
Doi uses e-verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employeesTo learn more about e-verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/e-verify.
The department of the interior (doi) places a high value on diversity of experience and cultural perspectives and encourages applications from all interested eligible candidatesDiversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (deia) are fundamental principles that guide the department and allow us to successfully achieve our mission.
The federal government is an equal opportunity employer.
Agency benefits:
Usgs has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework in accordance with the doi telework policy and with supervisor approvalThe official worksite for the selectee is the duty station identified in this vacancy announcementThe selectee will typically report to this duty location on a regular and recurring weekly basis.
For additional information on our internal telework policy, please reference the department of the interior telework handbook at: https://www.doi.gov/telework/policies.
Working for the u.sGeological survey offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; health, life, dental, vision, and long term care insurance, flexible spending accounts, and participation in the federal employees retirement system.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
-vacancy related questions: as part of the online application process, you will need to respond to a series of questions designed to assess your possession of the following knowledge skills, abilities and/or competencies:
Compute/analyze data
Surface-water scientific knowledge
Scientific instrumentation
Water-quality scientific knowledge
Collect scientific data
Interpersonal communication
Oral & written communication
Technical reports
-basis of rating:
Category rating will be used in the ranking and selection process for this positionThe quality categories are best qualified and qualifiedYou will be rated on the extent and quality of your experience, education, and training relevant to the duties of the positionIf you are eligible, your on-line responses to the application questions will determine your placement in the appropriate quality category described aboveYour responses must be substantiated by your resumeIf you do not respond to the application questions you may be rated ineligibleVeterans` preference rules for category rating will be applied.
-note: if it is determined that you have rated yourself higher than is supported in your description of experience and/or education as described in your resume/application, or that your resume or application is incomplete, you may be rated ineligible, not qualified, or your score may be lowered.
To preview the announcement questionnaire, click here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/viewquestionnaire/11228985
Background checks and security clearance
Security clearance
Not required
Drug test required
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (ns)/low risk
Trust determination process
Credentialing
Required documents
Required documents
Required documents may be: (1) uploaded directly from your desktop; or (2) uploaded directly from your usajobs stored attachments.
Transcripts
-if this position requires specific educational course work to qualify, or you are qualifying based in whole or part on education, you are required to provide all unofficial transcripts (undergraduate, graduate, etc.) or list of course work, which includes semester hours earned and grade received, by the closing date of this announcement or you will be disqualified from further considerationPlease ensure that all documentation is legible.
Veterans` preference eligibles
-if you are claiming veterans` preference you must provide a legible copy of your dd-214, certificate of release or discharge from active duty, member 4 copy or any official documentation or statement from the armed forces that confirms your dates of service and that your separation, discharge, or release from active duty was under honorable conditions (i.e., honorable or general discharge)Note: if you have more than one dd-214 for multiple periods of active duty, submit a copy for each period of service.
-if you are currently on active military duty, you must provide documentation (e.g., campaign document, award citation, etc.), that verifies entitlement to veterans` preference and that your character of military service is honorable.
-if you are claiming 10-point veterans` preference, in addition to the documents specified above, you must also submit documentation that supports your claim, e.g., an official statement from the department of veterans affairs (dated 1991 or later) or from a branch of the armed forces certifying the existence of a service-connected disability, or the award of the purple heart, etcThe overall rating must be identified on your certification letter or separation ordersDocumentation must be received by the closing date shown in this vacancy announcementIf you fail to submit any of the required documentation, you will not be granted veterans` preference.
Additional information on veterans` preference can be found in the vetguide.
Career transition assistance plan (ctap) & inter-agency career transition assistance plan (ictap) eligibles
-if you are claiming ctap/ictap eligibility, the servicing human resources office must receive proof by the closing date of this announcement that you meet the requirements of 5 cfr 330 subpart f for ctap and 5 cfr 330 subpart g for ictap or you will not receive priority considerationThis includes:
Copy of the agency notice;
Your most recent performance rating; and
Your most recent sf-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location.
If you are a ctap or ictap eligible, you will be considered well qualified if you earn a minimum score of 85 (prior to the assignment of veteran`s preference points)For more information on ctap/ictap please click here.
Eligibility for special appointing authorities
If you are applying for this position based on eligibility under a special appointing authority, you must submit proof that supports your claim by the closing date of the announcementIf you fail to submit proof, you will not receive consideration under the special appointing authorityBelow is a list of the most common authorities and the documentation requirementsIf you`re eligible for an authority not listed, you are responsible for submitting documentation that`s appropriate for that specific authority.
-30% or more disabled veteran - submit a legible copy of your dd-214, certificate of release or discharge from active duty, member 4 copy; and an official statement from the department of veterans affairs (dated 1991 or later) or from a branch of the armed forces certifying the existence of a service-connected disability, , etcAdditional information can be found in the vetguide.
-veterans recruitment appointment (vra) - note: the vra authority only applies to positions at the gs-11 level or lowerSubmit a legible copy of your dd-214, certificate of release or discharge from active duty, member 4 copy; and if applicable, an official statement from the department of veterans affairs (dated 1991 or later) or from a branch of the armed forces certifying the existence of a service-connected disability, or the award of a campaign badge or armed forces service medal, etcAdditional information can be found in the vetguide.
-individuals with disabilities - submit documentation issued by a licensed medical professional; a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist; or any federal agency, state agency, or an agency of the district of columbia or a u.sTerritory that issues or provides disability benefitsAdditional information can be found here.
Required documents continued in Apply Now
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the u.sDepartment of education in order for it to be credited towards qualificationsTherefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the u.sDepartment 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.
Benefits
Benefits
A career with the u.sGovernment provides employees with a comprehensive benefits packageAs a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewardingOpens in a new windowlearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time, or intermittentContact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Help
This job is open to
Career transition (ctap, ictap, rpl)
Federal employees who meet the definition of a `surplus` or `displaced` employee.
The public
U.sCitizens, nationals or those who owe allegiance to the u.s.
