Hydrologic Technician

Full Job Description

Reclamation is seeking a career professional looking for an opportunity to capitalize on their expertise as a Hydrologic Technician.

You can make a difference in the West by assisting in meeting increasing water demands while protecting the environment.

Duty Location: Ephrata, Washington https://www.usbr.gov/pn/about/hr/area-information.html In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements described below.

Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience. If qualifying based on education, a copy of your unofficial transcripts must be provided with your application.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: To be considered minimally qualified for this position, you must demonstrate that you have the required specialized experience and/or education for the respective grade level in which you are applying: Specialized Experience GS-07: Applicants must have one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-06 grade level in the Federal service (obtained either in the private or public sectors) performing at least 4 of the following: 1) assisting with installing sensors to collect data; 2) aiding with collecting hydrological field measurements; 3) assisting with providing information to peers either orally or in writing; 4) assisting with preparing recurring reports such as water use and weather summary reports or data reports; OR 5) assisting with interpreting drawings and schematics of equipment.

OR Education: Successful completion of at least one full year (18 semester hours/27 quarter hours) of graduate level education leading to a master's degree in a field directly related to the work of the position, such as science, engineering or industrial technology, construction, physics, drafting, surveying, physical science, biology, or mathematics (or equivalent).

NOTE: You must include transcripts. OR Combination: Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above.

To calculate the education percentage, first total your semester hours and divide by 60; then take the number of months of full-time experience and divide by 12 (part-time will be prorated).

Add the percentages together. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. Note: You must submit copies of your college transcript.

Specialized Experience GS-08: Applicants must have one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service (obtained either in the private or public sectors) performing at least 5 of the following:1) analyzing hydrological data; 2) installation gages; 3) performing calibration of analog chart recorders, and related instruments; 4) training co-workers in hydrologic data collection and use of equipment; 5) coordinating repairs to sites; OR 6) recommending adjustments to obtain accurate data collection OR Education: Successful completion of at least two full years (36 semester hours/54 quarter hours) of graduate level education leading to a master's degree or a master's degree in science, engineering, industrial technology, construction, physics, drafting, surveying, physical science, biology, or mathematics (or equivalent).

NOTE: You must include transcripts. OR Combination: Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above.

Only education more than the first 60 semester hours of a course of study leading to a bachelor's degree is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirements.

To calculate the education percentage, first total your semester hours beyond for first 60 semester hours and divide by 60; then take the number of months of full-time experience and divide by 12 (part-time will be prorated).

Add the percentages together. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. Note: You must submit copies of your college transcripts.

Specialized Experience GS-09: Applicants must have one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-08 grade level in the Federal service (obtained either in the private or public sectors) performing at least 6 of the following: 1) performing routine field activities for hydraulic studies; 2) performing survey levels of gaging sites; 3) setting up field stations for at-site and remote sensing.

4) recommending site location and type of equipment to be installed at gauging stations; 5) reviewing data from peers for accuracy; 6) recognizing and solving deviation in data; OR 7) using computers to monitor canal structures, canal levels, and reservoir levels.

OR Education: Successful completion of at least two full years (36 semester hours/54 quarter hours) of graduate level education leading to a master's degree or a master's degree in science, engineering, industrial technology, construction, physics, drafting, surveying, physical science, biology, or mathematics (or equivalent).

NOTE: You must include transcripts. OR Combination: Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above.

To combine education and experience, first take the total semester hours and divide by 18; then take the number of months of full-time experience and divide by 12 (part-time will be prorated).

Add the percentages together. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. You must include transcripts.

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement. IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC.

WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. If your resume does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s).

In order to be rated as qualified for this position, the HR Office must be able to determine that you meet the education and general work experience requirement - this information must be clearly supported in the resume.

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.

Time-In-Grade: Current career or career-conditional employees of the Federal government, or former career or career-conditional employees, who have a break in service of less than one year, are required to meet the time-in-grade restriction of one year of Federal experience at the next lower-grade, with few exceptions outlined in 5 CFR 300.603(b).

You must meet all Eligibility and Qualification requirements, including time-in-grade restrictions and any selective placement factors if applicable, by 02/27/2026. Major Duties:

Perform water measurement utilizing Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) instrumentation Perform statistical and/or technical analyses of hydrological data collected in the field.

Assist with the tracking, scheduling, and verifying of data collection. Participate in the construction of a variety of gages and supporting structures.

Install, maintain, service and troubleshoot a variety of sensing, recording and communications equipment and instrumentation.

Prepare data for a variety of report and/or request information from various agencies. Perform canal conveyance system inspections.

Reclamation has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework and you may be allowed to telework with supervisory approval.