Engineering Technician (Civil-Hydrology)
Job Location:
Elephant Butte, NM - USA
Yearly Salary:
Posted:
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
Job Summary
You will serve as an Engineering Technician (Civil-Hydrology) with the Bureau of Reclamation in Elephant Butte NM to provide a range of technical engineering and hydrological support in the maintenance and operation of dams and appurtenant structures. You will serve as a supporting role to the Rio Grande Project water operations deliveries and accounting needs during the irrigation season.
** THIS ANNOUNCEMENT HAS BEEN EXTENDED AND WILL CLOSE ON 09/21/26. **
This position is located within the Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation 04 - 04 Elephant Butte Field Division Elephant Butte New Mexico.
The major duties of this position include but are not limited to the following:
- Completes measurements using various instruments including an acoustic doppler current profiler acoustic doppler velocity meter or AA cup meter and adheres to standards set forth by the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
- Read and interpret technical civil and mechanical drawings to confirm field accuracy. Plans performs surveys of minor construction and project features using 3-wire level circuits topography mapping silt lines Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and electronic total stations.
- Operate and improve field instrumentation by selecting calibrating troubleshooting and verifying equipment and test systems used for hydrology and dam safety.
- Prepare and present clear technical reports field observations project updates and recommendations to support decisions and ensure accurate documentation.
- Oversee project and contract activities by tracking scope schedule budget contractor performance and records to ensure work is completed safely efficiently and in compliance with requirements.
- Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
- Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
- Males born aftermust be registered for Selective Service.
- Direct Deposit participation required.
- Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more visit have and maintain a valid drivers license throughout employment.
- You are required to complete training obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel.
- Certification to serve as a Federal Acquisition Certification (FAC) COR or AOTR may be required as articulated in Department and/or Bureau policies.
- You must be at least 18 years of age or older to operate government vehicles.
As a condition of employment for accepting this position you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated.
This probationary period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest meet the organization goals and mission of the agency and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the determining if your employment advances the public interest the agency will consider:
- your performance and conduct;
- the needs and interests of the agency;
- whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
- whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification in writing that your continued employment advances the public interest.
All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-09/21/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.
To receive credit for experience your resume MUST state either full-time (or 40 hours a week) or part-time with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience. Failure to adequately provide information needed to determine number of hours worked in each position may result in that time not being credited when evaluating qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the full and/or part-time hours requirement as the service dates will be reflected.Minimum Qualification Requirements: To qualify for this position you must meet the following minimum qualifications:
Basic Educational Requirement AND Specialized Experience for the series to which you are applying.
Basic Educational Requirements: In addition to the specialized experience requirements for this position you must meet at least one of the following:
- A. Have qualifying specialized experience that includes technical work. Examples of technical work are; drafting surveying construction estimating physical science mathematics aerospace architecture chemicals electrical or mechanical systems mining petroleum or nuclear systems. -OR-
- B. Have experience in a trade or craft that involved intensive knowledge of engineering principles techniques methods and precedents. Examples are trade positions with substantial developmental test or design responsibilities such as: Planner and estimator who analyzed designs for production purposes or Instrument maker or model maker who performed design or development work on devices fabricated.
-AND-
To qualify for this position at the GS-11 grade level:- Specialized Experience Requirement: you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-10 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: performing technical evaluation and analysis of engineering projects; developing and reviewing plans specifications and cost estimates; conducting inspections and assessments of civil works and hydraulic instrumentation and measurement systems; utilizing automated engineering design systems; interpreting and validating technical data; troubleshooting and improving field instrumentation; preparing technical reports; analyzing contractor schedules proposals and submittals; monitoring project scope schedule and budget.. 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.
This position does not allow substituting education for experience.
Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement.
Physical Demands: The work requires some physical exertion such as long periods of standing; walking over rough uneven rocky or slippery surfaces; recurring bending crouching stooping stretching climbing or similar activities; recurring lifting of light to moderately heavy items weighing less than 50 pounds (i.e. 23 kilograms) such as testing or measuring equipment; and/or regular visits to construction industrial marine or other outdoor sites.
Work Environment: Work involves regular and recurring exposure to moderate risks and discomforts such as the following: dust strong odors or fumes from fuels chemicals or engine exhaust; high levels of noise and vibration dust grease electrical hazards uncovered moving parts of machinery moving machinery; or outdoor conditions involving moderate exposure to rain cold/hot weather icy streams and rivers. The work environment requires the employee to stay alert continually and to take special safety precautions including wearing special protective items of clothing.
All Department of Interior (DOI) employees their spouses and minor children may not acquire or retain any claim permit lease small tract entry or other rights granted by the Department in Federal lands with limited exceptions. Additional ethics prohibitions can be found here 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.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Required Experience:
IC
