Supervisory Hydrologic Technician.

This is a Merit Promotion Announcement for career and career-conditional USGS employees, Career Transition eligibles (CTAP), and other eligible hiring paths.

Responsibilities

• Technical and administrative supervision of professional, technical, clerical, and administrative staff to carry out the mission of the Central Plains Water Science Center.
• Plan, assign, and evaluate work based on employee capability and expertise; develop performance standards; provide guidance on work and administrative matters; identify training needs and arrange for development or training.
• Oversee programming and annual budgeting submissions, ensuring program accomplishments remain within budget allocations.
• Conduct water-quality data collection field activities, including stream sampling and equipment maintenance.
• Lead teams in collecting hydrologic data under difficult conditions.
• Obtain and analyze hydrologic data from published and unpublished sources for studies on flood and drought frequency.
• Plan and coordinate surface- and groundwater survey programs for areas with complex features or logistical challenges.

Requirements

• 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.
• Participation in Direct Deposit is required.
• Must successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check.
• Possess a valid state driver’s license and a safe driving record; operate government-owned or -leased vehicles for official duties.
• Successfully complete a pre-employment medical exam due to the physical demands of the job.
• Complete training and obtain/maintain a government credit card with travel and purchase authority.
• Serve a 1-year probationary period to evaluate fitness for continued employment.
• Completion of a supervisory probationary period may be required for this supervisory position.

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement (08/25/2026). Competitive candidates must also meet Time-in-Grade requirements as defined in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.

• For current federal employees: If hours worked per week are not included on your resume, submit a non-award SF-50 to validate your work schedule and specialized experience. Military service members may submit a DD-214 or Statement of Service.
• For non-federal applicants: Your resume must state "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.
• To qualify at the GS-12 grade level, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal service. Specialized experience includes:
  • Planning and conducting data computation and collection from 30+ stations, determining stage-discharge relations, and computing rating tables and mean daily, monthly, and annual discharge rates.
  • Leading teams to make measurements, collect water-quality samples, and coordinate field activities under difficult conditions.
  • Obtaining hydrologic data from various sources and conducting studies on flood and drought frequency.
  • Planning and coordinating surface- and groundwater survey programs for complex or large-scale areas.
• Volunteer experience (paid or unpaid) may be credited if it builds relevant competencies, knowledge, or skills.

This position does not allow substituting education for experience. Foreign education must be evaluated by a private organization specializing in foreign credential interpretation and deemed equivalent to U.S. education standards.

Physical Demands

• Field work is physically demanding, requiring dexterity, agility, and strenuous exertion, including:
  • Climbing rocky/steep terrain, ladders, or scaffolding.
  • Wading streams and working in areas with treacherous footing (e.g., slippery/icy riverbanks, steep terrain, fast-moving water).
  • Crouching or crawling in restricted areas and lifting equipment up to 100 pounds.
• Moderate risks include measuring from highway bridges, swift streams, and boats or cableways.

Work Environment

• Exposure to extreme weather conditions (rain, snow, extreme temperatures) and hazards (flooding, ice, insect bites, toxic chemicals).
• Special safety precautions are required, including wearing life jackets, reflective rain gear, and safety glasses.
• Field areas are often isolated and difficult to reach.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides a comprehensive benefits package. Eligibility depends on the type of position (full-time, part-time, or intermittent). Contact the hiring agency for more information on specific benefits offered.