Bureau of Reclamation Logo
Position Title
Engineering Technician
Agency
Bureau of Reclamation
Announcement Number
BOR-UCB-23-11843500-MP-OPM Opens in new window
Open Period
Friday, March 17, 2023 to Wednesday, April 5, 2023
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1. Do you claim Veterans’ Preference? (limit characters)
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING ELIGIBILITY QUESTIONS CAREFULLY. YOUR RESPONSES WILL AFFECT YOUR CONSIDERATION FOR THIS POSITION. The following questions address if you are eligible to apply to this job opportunity announcement through Merit Promotion procedures. You will only be considered under the options you have selected. You may qualify for more than one eligibility, so please choose carefully. If you respond that you do not meet any of the following criteria, you will not be considered for this position under this announcement. Please refer to the announcement for additional information. You must submit a complete application by the close of the announcement to be considered. (limit characters)
2. Are you a veteran who separated from active duty under honorable conditions AND you:

• have a rating by the Department of Veterans Affairs showing a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more; OR,
• are retired from active military service with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more

For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources

To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of your service which includes character of service. You must also submit the disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Armed Service and the Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, Standard Form 15.
(limit characters)
3. (1) Are you the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who is serving on active duty?
-OR-
(2) Are you the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who retired with a disability rating of 100 percent at the time of retirement or the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who retired or separated from the Armed Forces and has a disability rating of 100 percent from the Department of Veterans Affairs?
-OR-
(3) Are you the un-remarried widow or widower of a member of the Armed Forces killed while in active duty status?
For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.

To verify your eligibility for option 1 identified above, you must submit a copy of your spouse's active military orders and a copy of the marriage certificate. To verify your eligibility for options 2 and 3 identified above, you must submit the Standard Form 15 and all supporting documentation identified on that document (e.g., Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of service which includes character of service; death certificate and documentation identifying marital status at the time of death; disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Armed Service, etc.).
(limit characters)
4. Current Bureau of Reclamation Employee (Promotion)

To claim Competitive eligibility as a Current Bureau of Reclamation employee, please confirm:

  • You currently hold a position at a grade level (or equivalent) that is at or below the advertised full performance level for this position.
  • (Trades Positions) You currently hold a position at a pay rate that is at or below the advertised full performance level for this position.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your most recent Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) representing your permanent, competitive status including:
  • Career or Career-Conditional status (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND
  • Competitive Service status (Position Occupied field is 1). 
In addition to submitting your most recent SF-50, if you have held a higher grade level on a permanent basis please submit a copy of SF-50, which documents the highest grade you have held on a permanent basis. Additional supporting documentation requirements are listed in the Required Documents section of this announcement.

Are you a current, permanent Bureau of Reclamation employee applying for competitive Promotion?
 
(limit characters)
5. Current Bureau of Reclamation Employee (Reassignment, Change to Lower Grade, Re-Promotion)

To claim Non-Competitive eligibility as a Current Bureau of Reclamation employee, please confirm you are applying to be considered for one of the following:
  • Reassignment: You currently hold the same grade level with the same or higher promotion potential as the position being advertised.
  • Change to Lower Grade: You currently hold a higher grade level with the same or higher promotion potential than the position being advertised.
  • Re-Promotion: You have previously held the same grade level with the same or higher promotion potential as the position being advertised.
  • Trades Positions: You currently hold or have previously held a position at the same or higher rate of pay as the position being advertised. 
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your most recent Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) representing your permanent, competitive status including:
  • Career or Career-Conditional status (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND
  • Competitive Service status (Position Occupied field is 1). 
In addition to submitting your most recent SF-50, if you have held a higher grade level on a permanent basis please submit a copy of SF-50, which documents the highest grade you have held on a permanent basis. Additional supporting documentation requirements are listed in the Required Documents section of this announcement.

Are you a current, permanent Bureau of Reclamation employee applying to be considered for a Reassignment, Change to Lower Grade or Re-Promotion?
(limit characters)
6. Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from the agency hiring for this position?   If yes, confirm:
 
  • you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND,
  • you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
  • you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
  • your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
 
For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
 
To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Proposed Removal/Separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
 
(limit characters)
7. Were you employed overseas as an Appropriated Fund employee AND did you: 
• complete 52 weeks of creditable overseas service in an appropriated fund position(s) as a family member during the time you accompanied a sponsor officially assigned to an overseas area; AND, 
• receive a fully successful or better (or equivalent) performance rating; AND, 
• return to the United States to resume residence less than 3 years ago? 


For more information, review: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/family-of-overseas-employees/

To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50, and performance appraisal.
(limit characters)
8. Are you currently employed as a Federal civilian employee with a career or career-conditional appointment in the competitive service AND do you the have same grade level or one grade level lower with no promotion potential equivalent to the position being announced?
OR
Were you formerly employed as a Federal civilian employee on a permanent competitive appointment or did you obtain career-conditional status (and are within 3 years of the date of separation or are a preference eligible) AND you held the same grade level or a lower grade level with no promotion potential as the position being announced?

If eligible, submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status.
Your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect career or career-conditional (Tenure 1 or 2 in block 24) AND status in the competitive service (Position Occupied is 1 in block 34).
 
(limit characters)
9. Have you completed at least 1 year of continuous service immediately before separation from one or more nontemporary Foreign Service appointments  ; AND, your separation from a Foreign Service career-type appointment occurred in the last 3 years (individuals entitled to veteran's preference do not need to meet this 3-year requirement)?

-OR

Have you completed at least 3 years of substantially continuous service under one or more nontemporary appointments in the Foreign Service immediately before separation from an unlimited, career-type appointment in that Service?

To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF- 50) reflecting your nontemporary status. If you are outside of the 3-year requirement but are entitled to veteran's preference, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of your service which includes character of service.

For more information please go to:Appointment ForeignService Employees

 
(limit characters)
10. Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from a position in a Federal agency other than the agency hiring for this position?  If yes, confirm:
  • you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND,
  • you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
  • you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
  • your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
 
For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.  
 
To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
 
(limit characters)
11. Are you a current Excepted Service employee of a Federal Agency that has a valid interchange agreement with the Office of Personnel Management and current with?
 
  • Tennessee Valley Authority
  • Nuclear Regulatory Commission
  • Veterans Health Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs-Employees who occupy medical or medical-related positions and were appointed under 38 U.S.C. 7401(1) or (3) [formerly 38 U.S.C. 4104(1) and (3)].
  • Nonappropriated Fund (NAF) employees of the Department of Defense
  • Federal Aviation Administration
  • Corporation for National and Community Service
  • Department of Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration
  • The Department of Defense (The Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System) Agreement
 
OR
 
Are you an Employee under Miscellaneous Authorities Not Regulated By U.S. Office of Personnel Management; or, another authority which grants non-competitive eligibility?
 
  • Postal Career Service Employees
  • Postal Rate Commission Employees
  • Government Accountability Office (GAO) Employees
  • Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts Employees
 
For more information please review: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/competitive-hiring/#url=InterchangeAgreementsWithOtherMeritSystems
 
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form (SF-50) reflecting your status.
 
(limit characters)
12. Are you a current or former employee of a Land Management Agency (The Department of Agriculture's Forest Service, the Department of Interior's Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Reclamation) and are serving or served under a time-limited competitive service appointment? You may be eligible to compete under the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act, P.L. 114-47. For more information review, https://www.nps.gov/aboutus/land-management-workforce-flexibility-act.htm

Current land management agency appointees must have initially been hired under competitive procedures for a time-limited appointment; must have served under one or more time-limited appointments by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of two or more years; and must have performed at an acceptable level during each period of service.

Former land management agency employees must have initially been hired under competitive procedures for a time-limited appointment; must have served under one or more time-limited appointments by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of two or more years; and must have performed at an acceptable level during each period of service; must have been separated (with respect to their most recent separation) for reasons other than misconduct or performance, and must apply for a position covered by these provisions within two years of their most recent date of separation.

You must provide documentation showing all required periods of service which includes ALL Appointment AND Termination SF-50s for EACH appointment as well as ALL performance evaluations or references from supervisors (if employed for periods of time too short to require an appraisal) for each qualifying period of temporary employment claimed.
(limit characters)
13. Are you a former Peace Corps volunteer or VISTA member who has completed your service within the past twelve months? 

-OR

Are you a former Peace Corps volunteer or VISTA member who has completed your service within the past 36 months and are requesting an extension of your non-competitive eligibility due to your military service, status as a full-time student or other experience related to this position? 

-OR

Are you a current or former Peace Corps employee who has completed at least 36 months of continuous service and has been separated from the Peace Corps for less than three years? 

To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your description of service or other proof of non-competitive eligibility. If you are a former Peace Corps volunteer or VISTA member who is requesting an extension of your non-competitive eligibility, please also provide the necessary documentation to support your request.
 
(limit characters)
14. Are you a current Federal employee who holds or has previously held a career or career-conditional position in the competitive service with equal or higher promotion potential as the position being announced?

To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status. 
Your SF-50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect:
• career or career-conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND,
• your status is in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1).

-OR-

Are you a former Federal employee who previously held a career or career-conditional position in the competitive service with equal or higher promotion potential as the position being announced?

To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your separation Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status. 
Your SF-50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect:
• career status (Tenure 1)
• career-conditional status (Tenure 2) and you have separated within the last three years OR you have veteran's preference
• your status is in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1). 

-OR-

Are you a former Federal employee who previously held a career or career-conditional position in the competitive service, separated from the Federal Government over a year ago, and your last performance rating on record as a Federal employee was at least Fully Successful (or equivalent)?

To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your separation Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status AND your last Federal performance appraisal plan.
Your SF-50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect:
• career status (Tenure 1)
• career-conditional status (Tenure 2) and you have separated within the last three years OR you have veteran's preference
• your status is in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1). 
Your last Federal performance appraisal plan must reflect: 
• Rating of Fully Successful (or equivalent)
 
(limit characters)
15. Are you a former member of the PLC between the ages of 16 and 30, who has served the time required for completing a PLC project carried out on Federal land within the preceding 2 years (an individuals eligibility for NCE under this authority shall not exceed 2 years after completion of his/her last PLC project), and:

• Served as a qualified youth on an appropriate conservation project completing a minimum of 640 hours of satisfactory service that included at least 120 hours through the PLC, and

• Meet OPM qualification standards and any other qualification requirement(s) stated in this vacancy announcement for the position in which you are applying.

To verify your eligibility, you must include a copy of the appropriate Certificate of Eligibility (signed/certified by the PLC member's last supervisor or a DOI agency Youth Program Office coordinator) and the completed signed/certified PLC Participant Work Hours Verification Form for noncompetitive hiring with your application.  This certificate will serve as proof that the former PLC member has met all necessary service requirements for noncompetitive hiring as stated in Public Law (P.L.) 109-154.
(limit characters)
16. Do you have a severe physical, psychiatric or mental disability that qualifies you for a Schedule A Disability appointment?

To verify your eligibility, you must provide appropriate medical documentation, i.e., a letter signed by a licensed medical professional or licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist showing proof of intellectual, severe physical, or psychiatric disability. 

For more information, review USAJOBS Individuals with Disabilities resources.
(limit characters)
17. Are you a veteran whose latest discharge was under honorable conditions AND you:
• served three or more years of continuous active duty service in the military (Note: if released shortly before completing a 3-year tour, you are considered to meet the eligibility); OR,
• are entitled to veterans' preference?

For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources. 

To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of service which includes character of service.
 
(limit characters)
18. Are you a veteran who separated from active duty under honorable conditions AND you:
• recently separated (within the past 3 years); OR
• are a disabled veteran; OR
• served on active duty during a war, campaign or expedition; OR,
• received an Armed Forces Service Medal?

For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.

To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of your service which includes character of service. If claiming disability preference, you must also submit the disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Armed Service and the Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, Standard Form 15.
 
(limit characters)
Preferences
1. Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position. (limit characters)
BOR Shared Certificates
1. Certificates of Eligible Applicants for this position may be shared with other Federal agencies at their request. This may include other Offices within the Bureau of Reclamation, other Bureaus within the Department of the Interior, and/or other Federal agencies. If your information is shared with another office/bureau/agency, you will be notified. Do you authorize the sharing of your information with other Federal agencies? If you respond "No" to this question, your information will not be shared and you will not be considered for employment by the requesting agency. (limit characters)
Assessment 1
Your responses to this questionnaire, in conjunction with the other portions of your completed application, will be evaluated in determining your eligibility to be considered for the position. Choose the response that best represents your education, experience, and training. Do not overstate or understate your level of experience and capability. Please note that your answers will be verified against the information you provided in your resume, transcripts, or application and information provided by your references. (limit characters)
1. From the descriptions below, select the one statement that most accurately describes the experience and/or education that you possess that demonstrates your ability to perform the duties of this position at the GS-10 grade level in the Federal Service. Read all responses before making your selection. (limit characters)
2. From the descriptions below, select the one statement that most accurately describes the experience and/or education that you possess that demonstrates your ability to perform the duties of this position at the GS-11 grade level in the Federal Service. Read all responses before making your selection. (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
3. Validate accuracy of data to be used as baseline data for engineering decisions. (limit characters)
4. Conduct design surveys to collect samples and data. (limit characters)
5. Evaluate geotechnical field samples for such characteristics as moisture content, compaction, gradation, soil classification, and soil, rock, or concrete strength. (limit characters)
6. Deliver presentations or briefings on technical documentation. (limit characters)
7. Evaluate proposed material designs for adequacy of construction materials or constructability of the design. (limit characters)
8. Monitor contract agreements to ensure that they are carried out to completion as outlined. (limit characters)
9. Review reimbursement for contract work, including progress payments and final payment. (limit characters)
10. Manage the contract close-out process, including data and records retention. (limit characters)
11. Prepare reports on pay quantity including analysis of government estimated quantities compared to quantities paid. (limit characters)
12. Monitor project plans that outline the scope, schedule, and/or budget of assigned projects. (limit characters)
13. Prepare reports to present recommendations based on evaluation, analysis, inspection, and/or assessments. (limit characters)
14. Perform quality assurance review of electronic data and records. (limit characters)
15. Analyze data and test results for specific performance characteristics or failures in materials. (limit characters)
16. Use databases to maintain engineering data and records. (limit characters)
17. Prepare charts, graphs, tables, or other visual representations from data gathered by field crews and other available information sources. (limit characters)
18. Troubleshoot instrumentation and equipment associated with engineering and architecture projects and activities. (limit characters)
19. Determine information needed concerning characteristics, capabilities, and limitations of test items. (limit characters)
20. Devise appropriate laboratory tests for simulating conditions. (limit characters)
21. Analyze data and test results for instrumentation deficiencies. (limit characters)
22. Utilize automated design applications to portray simple drawing designs including materials and contours. (limit characters)
As previously explained, your ratings in this Occupational Questionnaire are subject to evaluation and verification based on the resume and documents you submit. Later steps in the selection process are specifically designed to verify your ratings. Deliberate attempts to falsify information may be grounds for not selecting you or for dismissing you from the position/agency during the probationary period, or other disciplinary action, including termination. Please take this opportunity to review your ratings to ensure their accuracy. By agreeing to the statement below, you are confirming that you: Understand this warning; have reviewed your responses to this questionnaire for accuracy; and verified that your responses accurately describe your current level of experience and capability.

 
(limit characters)
23. Failure to agree or respond to the statement below will disqualify you from further consideration for the position. Select the most appropriate response below. (limit characters)