Hydrologic Technician

Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following:

• Performs routine measurements of stage and discharge under various field conditions using established standardized methods.
• Reviews gage-height data and discharge measurements to verify methods and computational accuracy and plots hydrographs to compare records.
• Installs maintains services and troubleshoots sensing recording communications equipment and instrumentation.
• Assists in establishing vertical and horizontal datums using established electronic forms and procedures.
• Enters retrieves edits and analyzes basic surface-water groundwater and water-quality data using databases spreadsheets and graphics software. Maintains current and accurate files supporting data stored in USGS databases.

Duties will be developmental in nature when filled below the full performance level.

• 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.
• A physical examination will be required or a statement regarding physical ability will need to be completed. You must maintain physical fitness standards throughout employment.
• You are required to complete training obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel and purchase authority.

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.

Under applicable law the employment of an individual serving a probationary or trial period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies in writing that the individuals employment should continue and that their appointment should be the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary or trial period such appointments are terminated.

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-09/17/2026-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:

Specialized Experience (for positions at GS-4 and above):

Examples of qualifying specialized experience include:

• 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.

To qualify for this position at the GS-05 grade level:

• Specialized Experience Requirement: you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-04 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: assisting with the collection of hydrologic data; taking water-level streamflow discharge or water-quality measurements; recording field observations and related metadata; assisting with the installation or maintenance of hydrologic equipment and instrumentation; or entering retrieving and maintaining scientific data using databases spreadsheets or other software. You must include hours per week worked. -OR-
• Education: Successful completion of at least full four year course of study leading to a bachelors degree (a) with major study in an appropriate field of science (i.e. geology chemistry physics geophysics biology ecology mathematics soils forestry meteorology hydrology oceanography physical science atmospheric science) engineering construction or industrial technology or (b) that included at least 24 semester hours or the equivalent in any combination of courses such as engineering industrial technology construction drafting surveying physical science biology or mathematics.. You must include transcripts. -OR-
• Combination of education and experience. To combine education and experience combination of successfully completed post-high school education and specialized experience may be used to meet the qualification requirements for GS-5. Only progressive education in excess of the first 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours (i.e. beyond the first two years) of a course of study leading to a bachelors degree is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirement assuming the education includes the appropriate number of directly related semester hours or the equivalent in any combination of courses such as engineering industrial technology construction drafting surveying physical science biology or mathematics.

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.