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Posted: January 30, 2026 (1 day ago)

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Hydrologic Technician (Field Assistant)

Geological Survey

Department of the Interior

Fresh

Salary

$19.52 - $27.59

per hour

Closes

February 6, 2026

Job Description

Summary

This job is for a hydrologic technician who assists in fieldwork for the U.S.

Geological Survey, focusing on collecting water samples, making observations, and recording data in outdoor settings across locations like Oklahoma City.

It suits someone with hands-on experience in scientific field or lab work, who enjoys working in nature and handling technical tools.

Ideal candidates are detail-oriented team players comfortable with physical tasks in varying weather conditions.

Key Requirements

  • 9 months of field party experience in geologic, hydrologic, or topographic observations and data collection
  • 3 years of sub-professional technical experience supporting scientific investigations in physical or biological sciences
  • 3 years of college study (90 semester hours or 135 quarter hours) plus 3 months of lab or field work experience
  • Ability to use surveying instruments, electronic or mechanical tools for field measurements
  • Skills in gathering, recording, and assembling scientific data
  • Experience calibrating instruments, operating test apparatus, and processing quantitative data
  • Physical fitness for fieldwork, including collecting samples and working outdoors

Full Job Description

What General Information Do I Need To Know About This Position?

Salary: San Angelo, TX & Oklahoma City, OK: $19.52 hourly (Step 01) to $25.37 hourly (Step 10); Forth Worth, TX: $21.22 hourly (Step 01) to $27.59 hourly (Step 10) NOTE: First time hires to the Federal Government are typically hired at the Step 01 Applicants must meet one of the following to qualify at the GG-05 level: Possess 9 months of field party experience.

Field party experience includes activities associated with making and recording geologic, hydrologic, or topographic field observations; collecting geologic, biological, or water samples for laboratory analysis; applying accepted data collection techniques and methods in the performance of field work in support of scientific investigations; and using a variety of surveying instruments and electronic or mechanical instrumentation in the making and recording of field measurements and observations designed to collect data for geologic physical science investigations.

Only time actually spent in the field can be credited when qualifying individuals under the field party experience option. OR Possess 3 years sub-professional experience.

Sub-professional experience is defined as technical work performed in support of field or laboratory investigations relating to the biological sciences, physical sciences, or closely related disciplines, which provided basic knowledge or skills in gathering, recording, and assembling scientific or engineering data; using scientific instruments to measure angles, degrees weights, strengths, intensities, etc.; setting up and operating test apparatus, and manipulating quantitative data.

Experience may include assisting professional employees in such duties as calibrating and operating measuring instruments, mixing solutions, making chemical analyses, setting up and operating test apparatus, and compiling and processing scientific data.

Experience as a laboratory mechanic or in a trade or craft may be credited as experience when the work was performed in close association with physical or biological scientists or other technical personnel and provided a good working knowledge of appropriate scientific principles, methods, and techniques.

OR Possess 3 years college study (equivalent 90 semester hours/135 quarter hours) plus 3 months of lab or field work experience Definitions of Experience: Field Survey Party - Experience with a field survey party includes activity associated with making and recording geologic, hydrologic, biologic, or topographic field observations; collecting geologic, biological, or water samples for laboratory analysis; applying accepted data collection techniques and methods in the performance of field work in support of scientific investigations; and using a variety of surveying instruments and electronic or mechanical instrumentation in the making and recording of field measurements and observations designed to collect data for physical/ biological science investigations.

Only time actually spent in the field can be credited when qualifying individuals under the field party experience option.

Sub-professional Experience - Sub-professional experience is defined as technical work performed in support of field or laboratory investigations relating to the biological sciences, physical sciences, or closely related disciplines which provided basic knowledge or skills in gathering, recording, and assembling scientific or engineering data; using scientific instruments to measure angles, degrees, weights, strengths, intensities, etc.; setting up and operating test apparatus, and manipulating quantitative data.

Experience may include assisting professional employees with such duties as calibrating and operating measuring instruments mixing solutions, making chemical analyses, setting up and operating test apparatus, and compiling and processing scientific data.

Experience as a laboratory mechanic or in a trade or craft may be credited as experience when the work was performed in close association with physical or biological scientists or other technical personnel and provided a good working knowledge of appropriate scientific principles, methods, and techniques.

Professional Experience - Professional work experience in the physical and biological sciences may be credited in lieu of or in conjunction with sub-professional experience as defined above.

Please note that if qualifying based on education; unofficial transcripts MUST be submitted as part of the application in order to receive consideration.

You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements for the position by the closing date of the announcement. Major Duties:

Duration of Appointment: This is a temporary excepted service position not-to-exceed 1 year but may be extended without further competition. Employment may not exceed 1,039 hours in a service year.

All qualified applicants, with or without Federal status may apply and be considered. Appointment to this position, however, will not convey permanent status in the Federal service.

As a Hydrologic Technician (Field Assistant) within the Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center, some of your specific duties will include: Collects surface-water, ground-water, and quality-water data from gaging stations, wells, or QW monitoring stations.

Performs laboratory analysis of water samples to determine specified sediment, chemical, or biological concentrations or physical characteristics.

Operates a government motor vehicle as an incidental driver.

Physical Demands: Work is physically demanding and includes walking, bending, climbing, and lifting of equipment up to 100 pounds when in the field, sometimes during adverse conditions.

Work Environment: The work is performed in a laboratory or field environment.

Field work involves moderate or sometimes extreme exposure to the discomforts of rain, cold/hot weather, and rapidly running or icy streams and rivers.

Special safety precautions are required in many cases, and the employee may typically wear life jackets, special safety boots, waders, and special handling gear.

If selected, you will be required to complete a pre-employment physical.

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Posted on USAJOBS: 1/30/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 1/30/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: USGS-RES-26-12869463-FA-SBW