Experience Inc. Jobs

Summary This position is located in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS). As part of the Snow Survey program, the incumbent collects, prepares and issues snow survey data, water supply forecasts and other hydrologic analyses to conservation districts, numerous federal and state agencies, the public, water resources managers and other interested individuals and groups. There are 2 vacancies in Cedar City, UT and 1 vacancy in Reno, NV. Responsibilities Responsible for the collection, quality control (QC), data entry, and annual archive of hydro­meteorological data within the boundaries of the NRCS Utah Data Collection Office jurisdiction. Provides technical assistance to the snow survey staff in data collection, data entry, verification, quality control, processing and archival. Analyzes, interprets and communicates relevant snowpack water supply information to end users. Assists in the preparation and presentation of the monthly Water Supply Outlook Report (WSOR) and other summary products through the winter and spring. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below: Time in grade: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirements of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled (e.g. one year at the GS-09 grade level for consideration for the GS-11 grade level). Basic Education Requirement: Degree: 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 course work must have included at least 6 semester hours in calculus (including both differential and integral calculus), and at least 6 semester hours in physics. Calculus and physics, as described above, are requirements for all grade levels. OR Combination of Education and Experience: Combination of education and experience: At least 30 semester hours in one or more of the disciplines shown above, including at least 6 semester hours in calculus (including both differential and integral calculus), and at least 6 semester hours in physics plus appropriate experience or additional education. In addition to meeting one of the Basic Requirements above, applicants must meet the following Minimum Qualification requirement in order to be considered for this position: GS-07: Specialized Experience: To qualify for the GS-07 level, you must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level or higher in Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. This experience must include demonstrating experience of basic and applied research on water and water resources; the collection, measurement, analysis and interpretation of information on water resources; the forecast of water supply and water flows; and the development of new, improved or more economical methods, techniques, and instruments. Examples of specialized experience include: Participating in hydrologic investigations including collecting, evaluating, and analyzing data. Operating hydrologic instruments, equipment and materials to perform investigations. Assisting with data collection and data entry OR Superior academic achievement in a bachelor's degree curriculum directly related to the work of the position. To qualify for superior academic achievement, you must have ONE of the following: (1) standing in the upper third of your college class or major subdivision at the time you apply; (2) grade point average of B (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) or its equivalent for all courses completed, either (a) at the time of application or (b) during the last 2 years of your undergraduate curriculum; (3) B+ (3.5 on a 4.0 scale) or its equivalent for all courses completed in a related discipline, either (a) at the time of application or (b) during the last 2 years of your undergraduate curriculum; OR (4) election to membership in one of the national honorary scholastic societies that meets the requirements of the Association of College Honor Society; OR Education Substitution: for the GS-07 level: one year of progressively higher-level graduate education 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. OR Possess a combination of graduate-level education and experience, as described above, may be used to qualify for this position. This combination must have equipped you with the necessary knowledge and/or experience to successfully perform the duties of this position. Combinations of experience and education must total at least 100% as outlined in OPM Qualifications policy. GS-09: Specialized Experience: To qualify for the GS-09 level, you must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level or higher in Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. This experience must include demonstrating experience and knowledge of basic and applied research on water and water resources; the collection, measurement, analysis, and interpretation of information on water resources; the forecast of water supply and water flows; and the development of new, improved or more economical methods, techniques, and instruments. Examples of specialized experience include: Ensuring that data observations are conducted in a timely manner and the data is accurate; Developing snow survey products such as soil moisture, snowpack and precipitation products, surface water supply indexes, and streamflow models; Participating in the installation and maintenance of snow courses and snow telemetry (SNOTEL) sites; Performing data collection and data entry. OR Substitution of Education in Lieu of Specialized Experience: for the GS-09 level: two years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree in hydrology, water resources or related field. OR Possess a combination of graduate-level education and experience, as described above, may be used to qualify for this position. This combination must have equipped you with the necessary knowledge and/or experience to successfully perform the duties of this position. Combinations of experience and education must total at least 100% as outlined in OPM Qualifications policy. GS-11: Specialized Experience: To qualify for the GS-11 level, you must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level or higher in Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service such as research on water and water resources; the collection, measurement, analysis and interpretation of information on water resources; the forecast of water supply and water flows; and the development of new, improved or more economical methods,techniques, and instruments. Examples of specialized experience include: Collecting, evaluating and analyzing data for hydrologic investigations; Evaluating data to make recommendations related to water supply forecasting efforts; Installing, calibrating, operating and maintaining sensors used to collect hydro-meteorological data; and Providing technical assistance in the data collection of snow water content, snow depth, precipitation, streamflow, soil moisture. OR Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience: for the GS-11 level: 3 year(s) of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral 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 including 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: A combination of graduate-level education and experience, as described above. This combination must have equipped you with the necessary knowledge and/or experience to successfully perform the duties of this position. Combinations of experience and education must total at least 100% as outlined in OPM Qualifications policy. Education Qualifications, ctd.: To view the position's Qualification Requirements of the associated occupational series as outlined in the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, General Schedule Qualifications Standards. See the link below: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=0400-ndx 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 and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Education If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements: You must submit a copy of your transcripts to include course number, title, completion and grade. Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. If a relevant course is not clearly qualifying (e.g. special topic, seminar, research, thesis, obscure or misleading course title, etc.), please submit an official course syllabi and/or detailed course description from the university/college for that particular course to ensure you are properly evaluated. Please note that qualifications determinations are based solely on the information submitted for each particular vacancy announcement. Important: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. Click on this link for more information. Failure to provide all of the required documents/information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating. Additional Information This position is being concurrently announced under Delegated Examining Announcement Number NRCS-24-12393859-DE-UT-DD. Current or former Federal employees or other eligible applicants may apply to both announcements to expand all possibilities of consideration since different referral criteria apply to each type of announcement. See the above announcement for more information. Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100. Promotion Potential: If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed. Physical Demands: Physical demands are quite varied. Occasionally, there may be travel in remote mountainous areas carrying heavy loads up to 50 pounds over rough terrain and working extended hours in inclement weather at high elevations. Travel in that environment may be by foot, horseback, truck, over snow machines, all-terrain vehicle, or aircraft. Foot travel by skis or snowshoes in the winter is often necessary. Normally, the physical demands are less rigorous, and activities are confined to the office environment. Work Environment: The normal environment is an office setting and requires no special precautions. Occasionally, work will be conducted outdoors in remote backcountry settings. When conducting field surveys or data site maintenance or installation, the work environment will be at high elevations in all seasons. The incumbent may be exposed to severe weather and stormy conditions and the hazards of snow avalanche. Other work situations that require extra safety precautions include driving on remote, unmaintained, icy or slippery 4WD roads or trails; riding in low flying aircraft in mountainous terrain; and working in the immediate vicinity of helicopter sling load operations. PLEASE NOTE: In the interest of filling these positions as efficiently as possible, we are requiring the following: If called for an interview, applicants must be available to interview within 3 business days of being contacted. If a tentative job offer is extended, selectee will have 2 business days in which to accept or decline. This position is eligible for telework within the local commuting area of the position and other flexible work arrangements. Current USDA policy includes telework for an 8-hour workday, 4 days per week; other flexibilities are possible dependent upon availability and/or the position and its associated duties. Employee participation is at the discretion of the supervisor. Recruitment and/or relocation incentives may be authorized.