About this role
Job SummaryThese positions serve as Hydrologic Technician's, GS-1316-06 with the Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey, Office of the Director, Rocky Mountain Region, New Mexico Water and Science Center.
QualificationsQualifications: All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement 08/17/2026 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: Specialized Experience: GS-06 To qualify for the GS-06, you MUST possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: 1) Experience working in trade or craft work in maintenance or construction of facilities or equipment related to hydrology. To qualify you MUST meet the specialized experience statement above. -OR- Education Successful completion of at least 1 year of appropriate graduate level education (18 semester hours, 27 quarter hours, or the equivalent) in hydrology or other field of study directly related to the work of this position for the required 1 year of specialized experience if it provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work of this position. You must include transcripts. (Unofficial Okay) -OR- Combination of Education and Experience To combine education and experience, first take graduate-level education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level. Then take the number of months of full-time experience and divide by 12 months. Add the percentages together. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. You must include transcripts. The education must be related directly to hydrology or another field of study directly related to the work of this position. (CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS ON HOW TO COMBINE EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE) 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.
Major DutiesThese positions are located within the Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey, Office of the Director, Rocky Mountain Region, New Mexico Water and Science Center, duty stationed in Roswell, New Mexico. At the full performance level (GS-11) the major duties of this position include, but are not limited to the following: 1. Perform complex problem solving in their area of expertise with minimal guidance and/or input from others. 2. Create and/or maintain tip sheets and Standard Operating Procedures relative to their area(s) of expertise (i.e., instrumentation, indirect measurements, local database management, innovative techniques, geophysics, etc.). 3. Plan, schedule, coordinate and/or conduct, and review a full range of quality assurance testing, such as equipment calibration, aquifer tests, geophysical logs, cross sectional surveys, blanks, duplicates/replicates, etc. 4. Ensure data and related documents for a wide variety of parameters and hydrologic records are properly evaluated and stored in appropriate archives, databases, spreadsheets, and graphics software following established USGS policies. 5. Oversee the configuration, installation, maintenance, and servicing of a wide variety of sensing, recording and communications equipment and instrumentation utilizing significant electronics and computer skills. Pre-employment Medical Examination This position involves field work where the duties of the position may involve arduous conditions. Therefore you will be required to pass a pre employment medical examination to ensure you can perform the essential duties and responsibilities of the position, with or without accommodation. Work Environment Office conditions do not require special safety precautions; field conditions may include extreme heat or cold, rain or snow, possible aggressive wildlife encounters, and hazardous conditions such as ice or flooding, or exposure to irritant or toxic chemicals. Work may require the use of special clothing or gear such as masks, coats, boots, goggles, respirators, or life jackets. Physical Demands The work regularly requires considerable dexterity, agility, and strenuous physical exertion such as: climbing and/or working from tall ladders and scaffolding; work in areas where footing is treacherous such as slippery or icy riverbanks, steep rocky terrain, or fast-moving water; lifting heavy objects weighing 23 kilograms (50 pounds) or more or crouching or crawling in restricted areas. Driver's License You will be required to maintain a valid State issued Driver's License as a condition of employment. Travel You will be expected to travel for meetings, trainings, and/or site visits, typically for one week each month. Telework The duties of this position are suitable for telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval. Salary Range Information (Per Annum): *First time hires to the federal government typically start at the beginning salary in the range for their respective grade level. GS-06: $45,409 - $59,031RequirementsMust provide proof of U.S. citizenship. Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication. Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service. Direct Deposit participation required. Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more, visit www.dhs.gov/EVerify/. Must have and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment. 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 service. In 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 individual's employment should continue and that their appointment should be finalized. In 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 your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.