Hydrologist

Full Job Description

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

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

To be eligible for consideration, you must first meet the Basic Education Requirement for this position, having: Degree: A degree in physical or natural science, or engineering that included at least 30 semester hours in any combination of courses in: - hydrology - the physical sciences - geophysics - chemistry - engineering science - soils - mathematics - aquatic biology - atmospheric science - meteorology - geology - oceanography - or the management or conservation of water resources The coursework must have included: - at least 6 semester hours in calculus (including both differential and integral calculus), and - at least 6 semester hours in physics.

OR Combination of education and experience: combination of education and experience-coursework equivalent to a major as described in A, including the required 30 semester hours, 6 hours of calculus, and 6 hours of physics, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

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

To qualify at the GS-09, you must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to at least the GS-07 level in federal service having demonstrated experience (obtained either in the private or public sectors) performing at least 4 of the following: 1) assisting with field activities for hydraulic and environmental studies; 2) utilizing field equipment and instrumentation to collect hydraulic and hydrologic data; 3) compiling data to assist with analysis and reporting; and 4) computing rating tables 5) canal diversions and reservoir regulation 6) snow pack survey 7) gauging station maintenance.

You may combine specialized experience and education to meet the minimum qualifications.

OR Education: Successful completion of 2 years of graduate level education leading to a master's degree or a equivalent graduate degree in hydrology or other directly related fields of study.

OR Combination: Successful completion of a combination of graduate level education and professional experience that meets 100% of the qualification requirements for this position.

To qualify at the GS-11, you must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to at least the GS-09 level in federal service having demonstrated experience (obtained either in the private or public sectors) performing at least 5 of the following: 1) updating hydrologic curves for reservoir operations 2) utilizing field equipment and instrumentation to collect hydraulic and hydrologic data; 3) compiling data to provide input for analysis and reporting; and 4) identifying and adapting new flow measurement technologies 5) determining appropriate instruments for flow measurement, groundwater monitoring, water level measurement and other measurement parameters at new and existing gauging stations and locations 6) canal diversion and reservoir regulation 7) snow pack and runoff analysis 8) water supply forecasting 9) ground water studies.

OR Education: Successful completion of 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D.

or equivalent doctoral degree in hydrology or other directly related fields of study.

OR Combination: Successful completion of a combination of graduate level education and professional experience that meets 100% of the qualification requirements for this position.

To qualify at the GS-12, you must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to at least the GS-11 level in federal service having demonstrated experience (obtained either in the private or public sectors) performing at least 6 of the following: 1) operation of complex canal, river or tributary system 2) utilizes various field equipment and instrumentation to collect hydraulic and hydrologic data; 3) snow survey, runoff and basin forecasts 4) analyzing and calculating flow characteristics 5) river or reservoir regulation operation planning 6) hydrologic or hydraulic modeling 7) irrigation water use & management 8) analysis of adequacy of water supplies from surface or subsurface sources 9) hydraulic data collection, process and analysis 10) water quality data collection and sampling 11) short and long range reservoir studies 12) evaluate facility or waterway capacities and operation.

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.

You must meet all Eligibility and Qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors if applicable, by 03/25/2026. Major Duties:

Performs a variety of work in water operations and management of reservoirs and water conveyance systems.

Schedules, collects, tracks, and verifies hydrologic data from analog and digital sources at multiple sites.

Plans, manages, and conducts water quality data collection and sampling, including sampling handling and shipping, while following scientifically accepted sampling and collection techniques and processes.

Plans, manages, and conducts snow surveys to formulate short and long-range runoff studies designed to produce comprehensive data used to show their impact to Project facilities.

Operates Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system computers to operate, adjust, and monitor canal and reservoir levels, canal structures, and provide general operation of the system.

Trains and instructs field technicians or other employees to perform hydrological data measurement and collection techniques.