Hydrologic Technician

About the Role

These positions serve as Hydrologic Technicians, GS-1316-06, with the U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Water Science Center, at either the Madison Field Office (Wisconsin) or Lansing Field Office (Michigan). One vacancy is available in Lansing, MI, and one in Madison, WI.

Duties

At the full performance level (GS-11), major duties include but are not limited to:

• Perform complex problem solving in their area of expertise with minimal guidance and/or input from others.
• Create and/or maintain tip sheets and Standard Operating Procedures relative to their area(s) of expertise (e.g., instrumentation, indirect measurements, local database management, innovative techniques, geophysics).
• Plan, schedule, coordinate, 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Requirements

• Must 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.
• Must have and maintain a valid state-issued driver's license throughout employment.
• Must serve a 1-year probationary period, during which continued employment requires affirmative certification that it advances the public interest, based on performance, conduct, agency needs, and organizational goals.

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement (08/24/2026). To receive credit for experience, your resume must state "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with number of hours worked per week. For military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient.

Specialized Experience (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 non-Federal experience. Specialized experience is defined as experience in trade or craft work in maintenance or construction of facilities or equipment related to hydrology.

Education Substitution: Successful completion of at least 1 year of appropriate graduate-level education (18 semester hours, 27 quarter hours, or equivalent) in hydrology or a directly related field, if it provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work. Transcripts required.

Combination: A combination of graduate-level education beyond that required for the next lower grade level and specialized experience, totaling 100% of the requirement. Transcripts required. Education must be directly related to hydrology or a related field.

Volunteer Experience: Paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations, is creditable.

Physical & Work Conditions

• Pre-employment medical examination required to ensure ability to perform essential duties with or without accommodation.
• Office conditions do not require special safety precautions; field conditions may include extreme heat or cold, rain or snow, possible aggressive wildlife encounters, hazardous conditions such as ice or flooding, and exposure to irritant or toxic chemicals. May require special clothing or gear (masks, coats, boots, goggles, respirators, life jackets).
• Work regularly requires considerable dexterity, agility, and strenuous physical exertion: climbing/working from tall ladders and scaffolding; work on treacherous footing (slippery or icy riverbanks, steep rocky terrain, fast-moving water); lifting heavy objects weighing 50 pounds or more; crouching or crawling in restricted areas.

Schedule & Travel

• Travel required for meetings, trainings, and/or site visits, typically one week each month.
• Telework suitable only on a situational basis at management discretion.
• Weekend work may be required on occasion during hydrologic events like flooding.

Benefits

Eligibility for federal benefits depends on the type of position and whether it is full-time, part-time, or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on specific benefits offered.