Montana Jobs

Summary The incumbent serves as a Hydrologic Technician for the Snow Survey Staff, Bozeman, MT State Office, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The Snow Survey program collects, prepares, and issues snow survey data, water supply forecasts, and other hydrologic analyses to data users including soil and water conservation districts, numerous federal and state agencies, and other interested individuals, groups, and organizations. Responsibilities Conducts manual snow surveys, performs maintenance on and assists with the installation of Snow Telemetry (SNOTEL) stations. Provides Hydro- meteorological support to the Snow Survey Program. Determines user needs for basic hydro-meteorological data. Assists in training NRCS cooperative personnel from other agencies in snow course, SNOTEL maintenance, accurate data collection techniques. Conducts routine and annual maintenance on climate monitoring equipment, vehicles, and SNOTEL structures and facilities. Troubleshoots and repairs SNOTEL electronic sensors to maintain functionality and ensure accurate data collection. Gathers data and plots hydrographs for site comparison and analysis to improve data quality Analyzes and repairs electronic issues associated with power systems, transmitters, receivers, data acquisition systems, antenna systems, transducers, and other hydrologic and meteorologic sensors. Maintains a database of equipment and tracks repairs and locations of the equipment. Ensures vehicles, trailers, ATV's and Snow Machines are properly maintained, and that monthly and semi-annual safety inspections are done. Calculates, compares, and prepares hydrologic data for use in making streamflow and water supply forecasts. Trains and provides technical supervision to NRCS personnel and cooperators on how to install, service, and maintain electronic SNOTEL equipment utilizing simple testing and module replacement techniques. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. Time in grade: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience at the next lower grade to be considered for the next higher grade (e.g. one year at the GS-08 grade level for consideration for the GS-09 grade level). Basic Experience Requirement performing the examples of the work below: 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. Construction estimating. In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements listed above, applicants must meet the following Minimum Qualifications Requirement in order to be considered: Specialized Experience (GS-09): To qualify for the GS-09 level, you must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-08 level or higher in Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Examples of specialized experience include: Independently installing, maintaining and troubleshooting stations or systems with hydrologic or climatic sensors Collecting and/or analyzing hydrologic data, such as, snow survey data, water supply forecasts, or other hydrologic analyses Researching and resolving data and system problems to ensure accuracy of information reporting Providing assistance on operation and maintenance of Snowpack Telemetry (SNOTEL) and Soil Climate Analysis Network (SCAN) sites Building partnerships and communication between agency contacts and cooperating local, state or federal agencies, vendors for site access issues, data collection schedules and exchange of information; OR Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience for the GS-09 level: 2 year(s) of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's degree in hydrology, water resources, related engineering science, physical science or related field; OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of graduate-level education and experience, as described above, may be used to qualify for this position. This combination must have equipped you with the necessary knowledge and/or experience to successfully perform the duties of this position. Combinations of experience and education must total at least 100% as outlined in OPM Qualifications policy. Specialized Experience GS-10: To qualify for the GS-10 grade level, you must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level or higher in Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. This experience must include: providing electronic and hydrologic technician support collecting and/or analyzing hydrologic data, such as, snow survey data, water supply forecasts, or other hydrologic analyses. Specialized Experience GS-11: To qualify for the GS-11 grade level, you must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-10 grade level or higher in Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. This experience must include: collecting and/or analyzing hydrologic data, such as snow survey data, water supply forecasts, or other hydrologic analyses; preparing hydrologic data for use in making streamflow and/or water supply forecasts; and installing and servicing hydrologic electronic equipment. Note: There is no education substitution for the GS-10 and GS-11 grade levels. For more information on the qualifications for this position, click here: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=GS-TECHExperience 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 and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Education You must submit a copy of your college transcripts or a list of college courses with credit hours, dates completed, and grades received to verify all education requirements (i.e. substitution of education and/or basic education requirement). If a relevant course is not clearly qualifying (e.g. special topic, seminar, research, thesis, obscure or misleading course title, etc.), please submit an official course syllabi and/or detailed course description from the university/college for that particular course to ensure you are properly evaluated. Please note that qualifications determinations are based solely on the information submitted for each particular vacancy announcement. You must document all requirements on every vacancy; we cannot use previous determinations as a basis for rating. All required information must be received by the closing date of this announcement, and non-submission of all required documents/documentation will result in non-consideration. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted. This information must be received by the closing date of this announcement. Non-submission of these documents will result in non-consideration. Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Applicants must, therefore, only report attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants can verify accreditation via this link. All education claimed by applicants will be verified accordingly. Important: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. Click on this link for more information. Additional Information This position is being concurrently announced under Merit Promotion Announcement Number NRCS-24-12366515-MP-MT-RMS. Current or former Federal employees or other eligible applicants may apply to both announcements to expand all possibilities of consideration since different referral criteria apply to each type of announcement. See the above announcement for more information. Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Reemployment Priority List (RPL): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP or RPL eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100. This position is eligible for telework within the local commuting area of the position and other flexible work arrangements. Current USDA policy includes telework for an 8 hour work day, 4 days per week; other flexibilities are possible dependent upon availability and/or the position and its associated duties. Employee participation is at the discretion of the supervisor. Physical Demands: Lifting and moving heavy equipment (over 50 pounds), at high elevations, and in adverse weather conditions. Work Environment: May be exposed to severe winter storm conditions. Travel in this environment may be by pickup, over snow machine, all-terrain vehicle, or aircraft, as well as by skis or snowshoes, riding In low-flying aircraft in mountainous terrain, and working in the immediate vicinity of helicopter sling ­load operations. PLEASE NOTE: In the interest of filling these positions as efficiently as possible, we are requiring the following: If called for an interview, applicants must be available to interview within 3 business days of being contacted. If a tentative job offer is extended, selectee will have 2 business days in which to accept or decline. It is the policy of the Government not to deny employment simply because an individual has been unemployed or has had financial difficulties that have arisen through no fault of the individual. See more information at: http://www.chcoc.gov/transmittals/TransmittalDetails.aspx?TransmittalID=6465 Recruitment and/or relocation incentives may be authorized.

Montana Jobs