About this role
Job SummaryYou will serve as an Engineering Technician (Civil-Hydrology) with the Bureau of Reclamation in Elephant Butte, NM to provide a range of technical engineering and hydrological support in the maintenance and operation of dams and appurtenant structures. You will serve as a supporting role to the Rio Grande Project water operations, deliveries, and accounting needs during the irrigation season.
QualificationsAll qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-09/14/2026-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: To qualify for this position, you must meet the following minimum qualifications: Basic Educational Requirement AND Specialized Experience for the series to which you are applying. Basic Educational Requirements: In addition to the specialized experience requirements for this position, you must meet at least one of the following: A. Have qualifying specialized experience that includes technical work. Examples of technical work are; drafting, surveying construction estimating, physical science, mathematics, aerospace, architecture, chemicals, electrical or mechanical systems, mining, petroleum, or nuclear systems. -OR- B. Have experience in a trade or craft that involved intensive knowledge of engineering principles, techniques, methods, and precedents. Examples are trade positions with substantial developmental, test, or design responsibilities such as: Planner and estimator who analyzed designs for production purposes or Instrument maker or model maker who performed design or development work on devices fabricated. -AND- To qualify for this position at the GS-11 grade level: Specialized Experience Requirement: you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-10 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: performing technical evaluation and analysis of engineering projects; developing and reviewing plans, specifications, and cost estimates; conducting inspections and assessments of civil works and hydraulic instrumentation and measurement systems; utilizing automated engineering design systems; interpreting and validating technical data; troubleshooting and improving field instrumentation; preparing technical reports; analyzing contractor schedules, proposals, and submittals; monitoring project scope, schedule, and budget.. You must include hours per week worked. 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 DutiesThis position is located within the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, 04 - 04, Elephant Butte Field Division, Elephant Butte, New Mexico. The major duties of this position include, but are not limited to the following: - Completes measurements using various instruments including an acoustic doppler current profiler, acoustic doppler velocity meter, or AA cup meter, and adheres to standards set forth by the United States Geological Survey (USGS). - Read and interpret technical civil and mechanical drawings to confirm field accuracy. Plans, performs, surveys of minor construction, and project features, using, 3-wire level circuits, topography mapping, silt lines, Global Positioning Systems (GPS), and electronic total stations. - Operate and improve field instrumentation by selecting, calibrating, troubleshooting, and verifying equipment and test systems used for hydrology and dam safety. - Prepare and present clear technical reports, field observations, project updates, and recommendations to support decisions and ensure accurate documentation. - Oversee project and contract activities by tracking scope, schedule, budget, contractor performance, and records to ensure work is completed safely, efficiently, and in compliance with requirements.RequirementsMust be a U.S. Citizen or National. 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. You are required to complete training, obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel. Certification to serve as a Federal Acquisition Certification (FAC) COR or AOTR may be required as articulated in Department and/or Bureau policies. You must be at least 18 years of age or older to operate government vehicles. 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 period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.