Hydrologic Technician

This job is open to U.S. Citizens, Nationals, or those who owe allegiance to the U.S., as well as career transition eligibles (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL).

About the role

As a Hydrologic Technician, you will perform a variety of field and technical duties related to hydrologic data collection, equipment maintenance, and environmental monitoring. Duties will be developmental in nature when filled below the full performance level.

Responsibilities

• Use resourcefulness to make stream discharge measurements, employing various techniques, equipment, and protocols depending on field conditions or unforeseen circumstances.
• Review gage-height data and discharge measurements to verify methods and accuracy of computation.
• Perform water-level and discharge measurements from wells and springs, adjusting approaches for unforeseen circumstances.
• Conduct routine field measurements such as water temperature, specific conductance, pH, dissolved oxygen, and alkalinity, selecting appropriate techniques, protocols, and equipment.
• Install, maintain, and service a variety of sensing, recording, and communications equipment and instrumentation.

Requirements

• Must 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.
• Must 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.
• A physical examination will be required, or a statement regarding physical ability will need to be completed. You must maintain physical fitness standards throughout employment.
• May be required to obtain and maintain a Motorboat Operator Certification Course (MOCC).
• May be required to complete training, obtain, and maintain a government credit card with travel and purchase authority.
• Must be at least 18 years old or at least 16 years old and meet one of the following criteria:
  • Have graduated from high school or been awarded a certificate equivalent to graduating from high school.
  • Have completed a formal vocational training program.
  • Have received a statement from school authorities agreeing with preference for employment over continuing education.
  • Be currently enrolled in a secondary school and either work only during school vacation periods or work part-time during the school year under a formal student employment program.
• Must serve a 1-year probationary period during which fitness and whether continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated.

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement (09/01/2026).

• To qualify at the GS-07 grade level, you must meet one of the following:
  • Specialized Experience: At least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-06 level in the Federal service, such as:
    • Work as a technician or aid in engineering, earth, physical, or natural science, forestry, soil conservation, or surveying.
    • Trades or crafts work in maintenance or construction of facilities or equipment related to hydrology.
    • Drafting or construction estimating.
    • Installing, adjusting, inspecting, and maintaining hydrologic instrumentation.
    • Collecting surface water, ground water, water quality, or sediment samples.
    • Observing and documenting field conditions.
    • Downloading, reviewing, and analyzing hydrologic records.

    You must include the hours worked per week in your resume.

  • Education: Successful completion of at least 1 year of appropriate graduate-level education (18 semester hours, 27 quarter hours, or equivalent) in hydrology or a related field. Transcripts must be submitted.
  • Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of graduate-level education and experience may be used to qualify. Transcripts must be submitted.
• Volunteer experience (paid or unpaid) may be credited if it builds relevant competencies, knowledge, or skills.
• If substituting education for experience, you must submit transcripts showing your name, school name, grades, credit hours earned, major(s), GPA or class ranking, and date of degree conferral. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable for application, but official transcripts are required if selected.
• For foreign education, you must provide proof of equivalency from a recognized organization. See Recognition of Foreign Qualifications for details.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Work requires considerable dexterity, agility, and strenuous physical exertion, including:
  • Climbing or working from tall ladders and scaffolding.
  • Working in areas with treacherous footing, such as slippery or icy riverbanks, steep rocky terrain, or fast-moving water.
  • Lifting heavy objects weighing 23 kilograms (50 pounds) or more.
  • Crouching or crawling in restricted areas.
• Field conditions may include extreme heat or cold, rain or snow, aggressive wildlife, hazardous conditions like ice or flooding, or exposure to irritant or toxic chemicals.
• May require the use of special clothing or gear such as masks, coats, boots, goggles, respirators, or life jackets.
• Office conditions do not require special safety precautions.

Additional Information

• Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement.
• Promotion to the full performance level is neither guaranteed nor implied and depends on satisfactory performance and recommendation by the supervisor.
• Reasonable accommodations for disabilities covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 may be requested for USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Requests must be made prior to starting the assessments.
• Department of Interior (DOI) employees, their spouses, and minor children may not acquire or retain claims, permits, leases, or other rights granted by the Department in Federal lands, with limited exceptions. Additional ethics prohibitions can be found here.
• This position is suitable for telework only during emergencies or natural disasters.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides a comprehensive benefits package designed to support federal employees and their families. Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position (full-time, part-time, or intermittent). Learn more about federal benefits.